季節のフルーツと野菜を使用した絶品ピザ : Emboca Karuizawa

I went to the renowned pizza restaurant Emboca in Karuizawa! They have three locations in total: Karuizawa, Kyoto, and Tokyo, and I had previously visited the Tokyo branch. Surrounded by greenery, I truly enjoyed their delicious pizza, so I made a reservation at the Karuizawa location during my trip. ☺️ I visited on a Monday for lunch, but they were fully booked, so I recommend making a reservation regardless of the day!

Located on the opposite side from the Karuizawa Outlet, it's a convenient 10-minute walk from the station. Upon entering, the restaurant is filled with beautiful greenery and plants, creating a lovely atmosphere. With high ceilings and an open feel, it was truly charming! It might be a great spot for a date as well.

I was lucky enough to be seated at the counter, right in front of the pizza oven! Watching the pizza being made was so much fun!

- Vegetable Pizza Half & Half (JPY 2,400)
When it comes to pizza, iconic options like Margherita and Bismarck come to mind, but here, their seasonal vegetable pizza comes highly recommended. ☺️

I ordered a half & half with lotus root and shiso (perilla)! Opting for a half & half is a great way to try a variety of flavors. There were so many toppings I wanted to try that I can't wait to go back!

★ Lotus Root Pizza
Starting with the lotus root! The sauce is a basil sauce, topped with pine nuts! The combination of the Japanese lotus root and Italian basil is unusual, but they match perfectly! The crunchy yet fluffy texture of the lotus root is simply amazing.

★ Shiso Pizza
I've often used shiso as an accent in my cooking, so I've been curious about the shiso pizza for a while! It features yuzu pepper and a soy sauce base, topped with two types of cheese. Since shiso is a Japanese ingredient, it’s paired with a Japanese sauce! The freshness of the shiso combined with the spiciness of the yuzu pepper, complemented by the depth of flavor from the soy sauce, creates an incredibly delicious pizza.

After enjoying a savory pizza and still having some room, I decided to challenge myself with a dessert pizza! I chose two out of three seasonal fruits to top the pizza; this time it was apple and pomelo!

★ Pomelo
It was a rare pink pomelo! It had a refreshing taste with a hint of bitterness, and cooking it brought out its sweetness. The texture was a perfect match with the pizza crust and delicious! I’m so glad I took the staff's recommendation. ☺️

★ Apple
It reminded me of an apple pie! The combination of the crunchy texture and the soft, cooked filling was so delightful. It had a refreshing yet rich flavor, truly delicious. This simple pizza allowed me to fully experience the taste of the fruits!

Besides pizza, they offer seasonal vegetable dishes and a variety of meat options, providing a truly enjoyable dining experience! Everything is delicious, and it's ideal for a group of 4 to 5 people to order a variety and share.