Garlic Jo’s in Yokohama goes all-in on its namesake ingredient

With dishes such as the Vampire Killer, Garlic Jo’s gives customers exactly what its name suggests. And somehow, it works.

Garlic Jo’s in Yokohama comes as close as possible to putting garlic front and center in most of its dishes. Square-cut rather than served in traditional slices, Garlic Jo's original garlic pizza arrives hot from the oven with pieces of garlic baked directly into the cheese. (Marc Castaneda/Stars and Stripes) Garlic Jo’s inside Queen’s Square Yokohama, steps from Minatomirai Station, makes no attempt to hide its obsession. Neon signs glow with the word “garlic,” plastic food displays feature piles of golden cloves, and the menu delivers a straightforward message: If you don’t like garlic, you’ve come to the wrong place. For those who do, it’s worth coming back.

My wife and I have, several times. We usually start with what has become our ritual opener: the original garlic pizza. Square-cut rather than served in traditional slices, it arrives hot from the oven with pieces of garlic baked directly into the cheese. It is simple, indulgent and unapologetically garlicky — an appropriate introduction to what follows. Garlic Jo's Vampire Killer is an appetizer whose name tells you exactly what to expect. (Marc Castaneda/Stars and Stripes) But on a recent visit, I went straight for the Vampire Killer, an appetizer whose name tells you exactly what to expect. Six whole garlic cloves are topped with cheese and grilled until sizzling, then served