Credit Rafael Mollica
#87

Sei Shiroma

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In 2011, New Yorker Sei Shiroma swapped Manhattan’s skyscrapers for the vibrant sunshine of Rio de Janeiro, leaving behind a career in advertising to pursue entrepreneurship.

Achievements

Pizzeria

Ferro e Farinha

Location

R. Maria Quitéria, 107 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22410-040, Brasil

Socials

Awards

Unsure of his next step, he rediscovered a childhood passion: pizza. With bold creativity, Sei built a wood-fired oven mounted on a car, launching the now-legendary “pizza-mobile” that quickly won the hearts and appetites of cariocas.

Born to a Chinese mother and Japanese father, Sei grew up in Suibi, a trendy Manhattan sushi house run by his parents. This upbringing shaped his refined palate and love for diverse flavours, which he now infuses into his pizzas.

His dough is specially crafted for Rio’s tropical climate, while toppings blend his multicultural heritage—soy sauce, ginger, and raw fish mingle with traditional ingredients to create vibrant, unexpected combinations.

By 2013, the pizza-mobile was a citywide sensation, leading to the opening of Ferro e Farinha in Catete. Today, the brand boasts five locations, each celebrating wood-fired cooking beyond pizza. In 2023, Sei honoured his roots by opening Suibi in Leblon, bringing a soulful, refined take on Japanese cuisine to Rio. Recognised by The Best Pizza, Sei Shiroma continues to ignite his culinary vision with passion and innovation.

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