Modern Pasta is a pizza-lover’s heaven, and let’s be real, who doesn’t love pizza?
Hidden away by the Fussa train station and Seiyu, just a few minutes from Yokota Air Base, the restaurant is barely noticeable, with an outside sliding glass door sporting the colors of the Italian flag.
Inside awaits an all-you-can-eat paradise.
Typical meals include a bowl of pasta plus endless pizza for only 990 yen (about $8); add a bottomless drink for just 150 yen. Pasta plus the drink bar and a basic dessert like flan costs 1,290 yen, and pasta plus drink bar and a deluxe dessert — for instance, flan with two scoops of ice cream — goes for 1,440 yen.
As you munch your pasta, waiters come around with trays of pizza slices of various flavors. There’s everything from the classic pepperoni or garlic-tomato-sauce-basil (my favorite) to okra and tuna, Japanese fish egg and the weird curry flavor.
There’s ample opportunity to try it all, but beware: It’s pretty filling fare, so consider taking small bites of each style and sharing to avoid waste — and bloat.
Meals are also offered with soup, salad, dessert and appetizers. The current “number one” pasta is spaghetti with eggplant and tomato sauce. Kid’s menus, seasonal menus and vegetarian options are also available.
Each table has a small sign, red on one side and blue on the other. Blue side up signals the waiters that you want more pizza. Red side up signals that you’ve had enough.
Each table also has a bottle of honey. Its purpose escaped me at first, then a waiter advised that it could be drizzled on the pizza crust, which was surprisingly delicious.
The drink bar offers matcha, cocoa, strawberry milk latte, honey citrus tea, tea bags, cold tea and various other hot and cold drinks.
Modern Pasta is a Japanese franchise with locations across the country. The staff does not speak English, but the menus are full of pictures.
Altogether Modern Pasta is a delightful, delicious, cheap and fulfilling (literally) experience for any pizza and pasta lover.
Modern PastaLocation: The restaurant is next to the Fussa train station and Seiyu and a 10- to 15-minute walk from Yokota Air Base’s Fussa Gate. Address: Yubinbango 197-0021, Higashi 5-1, Fussa, Tokyo, Seiyu Fussa Building B, first floor. Parking is available (use the Seiyu lots).
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; last order is taken at 10:30.
Menu: Affordable Italian fare. See offerings at bashamichi.co.jp/menu-mo31 (in Japanese with pictures).
Website:bashamichi.co.jp/modernpasta
Telephone: 042-539-4540
Notes: The restaurant is divided into smoking and nonsmoking sections. Credit cards are accepted.