
Sometimes it pays to copy your fellow diners.
Pretty much everyone in Japan has visited Saizeriya at least once in their lives, but for regulars like our reporter P.K. Sanjun, it can be easy to get stuck in robot mode, ordering the same go-to favourites on every visit.
So when P.K. sat down to eat at Saizeriya the other day with his daughter, he couldn’t help but notice the three men at a nearby table, who appeared to be local foreign residents, were eating something he’d never seen before.
▼ It kind of looked like something you’d buy at a kebab shop, but far tastier.
Browsing the menu, he couldn’t see anything that resembled what they were eating, but after closer inspection, he realised they’d ordered three separate dishes and combined them into one meal.
It looked so tasty that P.K. decided to copy what they’d ordered:
▼ Two Arrosticini…
▼ …a Mini Ficelle…
▼ …and a Green Salad.
Rubbing his hands with glee at the chance to try something new, P.K. felt a rush of excitement as he began to prepare his meal.
▼ Mimicking the nearby diners, he used a knife to cut into the bread…
▼ …and then he filled the bread with salad.
The final step was to add the Arrosticini, and as he did, his mouth began to water at the sight of his meaty creation.
He finished with a flourish, adding some spices that were on the table to complete the dish, before sitting back to admire his handiwork.
He’d basically created an arrosticini sandwich, but it was something he never would’ve thought to create, had it not been for the foreign diners.
When he bit into it, his taste buds danced with joy at the new and unexpected flavours, with the spice playing an important role in the overall deliciousness of the meal.
It was absolutely fantastic, and P.K. thought it would be even more delicious with coriander. By that stage, though, he’d just about finished his meal, so next time he visits Saizeriya he’ll definitely be looking out for meals with the herb hidden on the menu.
P.K. has eaten a lot of arrosticini during his visits to Saizeriya, but now that he’s learnt this hack to customise it into a sandwich, he’s keen to explore even more ideas for creative meal combinations. If he’d known about this idea when he had his end-of-year work gathering at Saizeriya, he would’ve been the hit of the party.
So if you have any hacks of your own to share, please let him know about them in the comments section below!
Related: Saizeriya
Photos © SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]










We investigate the “secret menu” at Tendon Tenya: vegetable tempura for 210 yen?!
Is it possible to run up a 100,000-yen (US$885) bill at Tokyo’s cheapest Italian restaurant?
Super budget dining in Japan – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at restaurant Saizeriya?
Our Japanese reporter’s experience with crawfish in the US left him stunned
Super Budget Dining in Japan – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen (US$6.70) at Saizeriya?
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Trigun Legacy Cafe coming to two Japanese cities this summer to salute series’ original form
7-Eleven Japan reinvents convenience store fruit sandwiches with new salty pink sakura peach variety
Starbucks adds new Fruit Gummy sweets to stores in Japan
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
Burger King Japan offering all-you-can-eat quad-burgers, whoever eats the most gets more in December
Pump yourself up with Yokohama’s new extravagant Cool Fuel ice cream
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s first-ever wanko soba conveyor belt restaurant opens in Tokyo
Eat Kuroge Wagyu beef at this Japanese restaurant in Ginza for less than 10 bucks!
Can one man blow 10,000 yen at Tokyo’s cheapest Italian restaurant? The human otter finds out
Michelin award noodle chain TamJai SamGor comes to Tokyo, we try 3 of their most popular dishes
Burger King Japan’s all-you-can-eat challenge knocks us out of the ring
Shakey’s American Pizza Tour totally ruins our Japanese reporter
This is what a Tokyo crepe with every dessert topping they’d let us order looks like 【Photos】
The time P.K. flatly refused a request from his deceased best friend’s mom at their first meeting
Japanese restaurant serves extra wide noodles next to Tokyo Station
Secret lunch spot in Tokyo’s Muji Hotel is a hidden gem that few people know about
The best place to eat Japanese breakfast for US$2: Cheap food hack for locals and tourists
A trip to the deadline cafe in Tokyo, where staff won’t let you leave until you’re done writing
We try five menu recommendations from a clerk at CoCo Ichibanya and almost fall in love
Why hayashi rice should be your last meal before leaving Japan