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UPDATE:
The response to my original review didn't come as a surprise. What did surprise me though, was subsequently visiting not one, but two AVPN-certified pizzerias in two different cities in Japan, and finding that they delivered exactly what I described a good Neapolitan pizza should be (in my 'trendy', 'misinformed', 'Instagram' language I suppose). Whilst I found one to be better than the other, both crusts had consistent characteristics, and neither gave me a jaw ache at the end of my meal. And oh, both of them sliced their pizzas, I didn't ask them to.
I'm sure there'll be some excuse or reason as to why this was the case, or maybe these two pizzerias are just heretics on the AVPN list. Either way, I thought they were both worthy of 4-5 stars in the realm of Neapolitan pizza. And that's fine. Some do better than others, and preferences are also always subjective. That's why we have opinions and reviews - one can agree to disagree, and anyone certainly has the right to stick to their philosophy.
But it is another thing altogether, to be vehemently infallible solely on the basis of AVPN certification. That was the point of my original review. And thus comes the validation - that the AVPN status is being used at Dihyang to perpetuate and justify a narrative that their execution is never wrong, there is no room for improvement, and that anyone who disagrees or is critical essentially does not know what they are talking about. Quite an affront to other AVPN pizzerias who actually deliver better product, as I have experienced. But what do I know.
***
ORIGINAL REVIEW (still stands):
I'm a huge fan of Neapolitan pizza. I make an effort to find pizzerias that deliver this style, and I don't mind paying. So when I come across one that appears uncompromising in delivering the philosophy with the confidence to back it up, I had to see what the fuss was all about. AVPN certified? Cool. No customization? Check. No condiments? I don't do that either. No slicing? No problem - although a pair of scissors wouldn't hurt, but I can manage.
Let's start with the good:
Ingredients are indeed of high quality, the flavor profiles are correct. Toppings are surprisingly generous too, which is probably fitting with the price point. Very good selection of pizza, all the classics and variations are there. I thought the service was warm, and they even timed the pizza well, not serving it too early with starters in play. Cozy interior.
Now here is where the fundamental flaw is:
The heart and soul of a Neapolitan pizza, is the crust. It's got to be soft, airy, and chewy, with a puffy and pillowy edge and a very very subtle crisp on the surface. That unfortunately, was not the case here. The dough was firmer and denser than it should be, a telling sign is how it did not flop as much as you would expect. Whilst this is still generally acceptable, the edge of the pizza however - the finishing bite if you will, veered towards a laborious chew given the density. This, undid the whole package for me.
Is it good pizza in general? Yes. But is it outstanding Neapolitan pizza worthy of the price? No - that crown in the Klang Valley goes to Round Pizza Napoletana, whose execution is on point and at a lower price point.
This is where I feel the balance of authenticity, execution and groundedness are keys needed to deliver the intended niche. At prices that match high-end Italian dining, and with a strict code to boot, I think there's work to be done for the final product to commensurate. The execution will need to be perfectly spot-on at the very least. Or better still, elevated. The pedigree of being 'verace' in itself, and having the finest authentic ingredients, are unfortunately not enough in this case.
I admire the passion. But as it is, pound for pound, this was a bit of a letdown. I'd be happy to see them improve, but for now the verdict is 3 stars.