Japanese-style pizza toast is considered a revered menu item of the still popular "retro" Japanese cafes of the Showa period (1926-1989). While you can still find the classic recipe at its supposed birthplace at Cafe Benisica in Tokyo, perhaps those looking for a modern twist on pizza toast may want to take their appetites to Japanese coffee chain Komeda Coffee, which is well known for its satisfying volume in both meaty main dishes as well as especially sweet desserts.

So we headed out to our local Komeda Coffee to find out what makes their "Tappuri Tamago no Pizza Toast" (Pizza Toast with a Large Portion of Eggs) such a hit with customers.

When the plate arrived, it didn't take long to note at least one of the differences between Komeda's hearty take on the retro pizza toast and their own. This was more of a sandwich, as it came with two thick slices of toasted and crunchy bread slathered in melted cheese and pizza toppings, either of which would have been filling on its own.

It also lived up to its name, with a very generous spread of egg salad sandwiched in between the toast slices adds a very welcome fluffy contrast to the crispy pizza toast. The egg salad itself uses a spicy mayonnaise, which can be replaced with regular mayo when ordered.

While there is certainly a nostalgic charm to classic renditions of Japanese-style pizza toast, the appeal of Komeda Coffee's version that seems to be winning internet affection is very clear. The hearty serving strikes a balance between crunchy, gooey, and fluffy with fresh vegetable toppings. Priced at 730 yen, it gives hungry customers the feeling of a whole pizza without needing to order one, with a side of tasty eggs to boot!

It also turns out it's quite a bit heavier than the actual inhouse pizza ("Komeda's Special Pizza"), which clocks in at 493 calories (priced at 550 yen) compared to the 969 calories of the Pizza Toast!

Regardless of whether you want to try their classic pizza or a hearty and eggy breakfast spin on Japanese Pizza Toast, you can do far worse than to head over to Komeda Coffee--just be sure to bring an empty stomach.