If you’re a pizza lover, this is some exciting news for you!
A new pizza shop has quietly opened its doors in East Vancouver, but this isn’t just any ordinary pizzeria.
It may be the city’s next best pizza shop.
That’s because Just Pizza is the latest creation from Steven Che, the chef previously behind Burnaby’s much-loved Wild Flour Pizza Co., and his partner, Jan Natividad.
If you ask some people (including us), we’d put Wild Flour Pizza as one of the best in Burnaby.
And with Steven leaving his post and starting his own shop in Vancouver, there’s high expectations.
When asked what inspired the creation of Just Pizza, Steven shared with Noms Magazine that after years in the pizza business, he was ready for something new.
“I wanted the freedom to be more creative while still serving the high-quality food people had come to expect. It was also important to express my culture and personality through my cooking,” he explains.
Using pizza—often considered a simple dish—as a medium for innovation, Steven and Jan built a brand around elevating the classic while keeping things playful and approachable.
I found the idea of using pizza – a dish not typically associated with Asian-Canadian cuisine – as the medium for this to be really compelling.
-Steven Che, Just Pizza
The name Just Pizza is a cheeky nod to the idea of taking something simple and transforming it into something much more.
“We didn’t want to come across as pretentious,” says Steven.
“It’s a pizza shop owned by two Asian guys. The pizza is fine-dining quality, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” Steven adds.
The logo, featuring a winking anime boy with pepperoni-like cheeks, further reflects the playful vibe of the restaurant.
At Just Pizza, the menu is divided into two categories: Elevated Classics and Adventurous.
The Elevated Classics feature familiar toppings with an extra twist, like their Aloha pizza, where the pineapples are pickled for an unexpected burst of flavour.
The Adventurous pizzas draw inspiration from global cuisines, particularly Asian flavours.
These include the Chicken Tikka Masala, Manak-ish, and Filipino Breakfast, each packed with unique spices and ingredients you won’t find at your typical pizza joint.
You’ll also find plant-based pizzas as well on the menu.
With his fine dining background, including stints at Michelin-starred restaurants and a renowned sourdough bakery in Oslo, Steven has mastered the art of sourdough pizza.
“The three-day dough process really transforms simple ingredients into something special,” he says.
For those looking to customize their pizza, Just Pizza offers gluten-free crust options, along with several unique crust upgrades like Garlic & Herb and the bold Nasty Crust with spicy honey and cheddar cheese powder.
The location itself is along busy Kingsway street. Inside the shop are just 3 small tables available for dine in, as the shop is mainly set up for delivery and pick up.
Currently in its soft opening phase, Just Pizza has already begun attracting attention for its fresh take on pizza.
According to Steven, the grand opening will be closer to the end of the month.
And even as fans of Steven’s previous creations, we can say (this is not sponsored FYI), that the Filipino Breakfast and Aloha pies hit the mark for us.
If you’re drawn to sourdough pizzas, more adventurous pizza toppings, or a fan of Steven’s creations – then you’ll likely find yourself doing the happy dance when munching on some Just Pizza.
Don’t forget to share this news with your pizza-loving friends!
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Address: 1629 Kingsway, Vancouver BC