The Pizza Edition: Discover pizza from countries around the world

From durian pizza to rectangular pizza, these are interesting versions of pizza classics from around the world.

Many people believe that pizza began to become widely popular from the Italian province of Naples in the late 18th century. After more than 300 years, pizza has become one of the most popular fast foods in the world, and at the same time possesses own many unique versions everywhere.

While most of us are familiar with pizza topped with cheese and sauce, a few countries do not use these two basic ingredients. Not only are the preparation methods different, but the ways to enjoy them are also very diverse.

Pizza Argentina

In the late 19th century, many immigrants from Italy to Argentina brought with them pizza culture in their cuisine. Over time, from fast food sold on street corners and stadiums, pizza has become the soul of local cuisine.

Argentines adopt the traditional Italian style, and at the same time make their pizza different by adding lots of mozzarella cheese, sauteed onions and oregano leaves.

In particular, Buenos Aires people use Focaccia flat bread as the crust, creating a crispy and spongy bottom texture. This type of cake has another name: fugazza. If you stuff the crust with cheese and add a topping of cooked onions on top, it’s called fugazzeta, Argentina’s version of pizza.

Pizza Brazil

In the early 20th century, Italian immigrants began to come to Brazil, making their homeland’s cuisine popular here.

The Brazilian version of pizza is characterized by a thin crust with a rim filled with requeijão cream cheese, a favorite ingredient of the locals.

The toppings usually include ham, sausage, bell peppers, tomatoes, black olives, onions, peas, corn and boiled eggs. Some stores also add mashed potatoes to taste.

But the most special thing in Brazil is probably the dessert pizzas. They use traditional crust, combined with toppings of Nutella, banana, strawberries and condensed milk.

Pizza Chicago, USA

The third most populous city in the United States is famous for its stuffed pizza.

The crust is usually about 2.5 cm high, stuffed inside with sauce and toppings. Toppings in order include cheese, vegetables, meat and optional ingredients according to the customer’s taste, and finally the tomato sauce mixture.

Because the cake is quite thick and heavy, instead of enjoying it with hands, most people will use a knife and fork. Local people love this type of stuffed pizza, but they also agree that this is not a dish that can be eaten every day because it gets boring easily.

Pizza China

In China, most locals view pizza as a Western dish with a relatively high price tag that comes with a classy dining experience rather than a fast food item.

However, when entering the domestic market, foreign pizza brands also join in to suit local tastes.

They have many new variations such as seafood pizza, served with pepper and peaches. Or durian pizza, the dish considered the “stinkiest” in the world. Although strange, these are all supported ways to enjoy pizza in this populous country.

Pizza Italy

In Italy, the traditional standard pizza must follow the principles of the Naples region.

The maximum diameter of the cake should not exceed 30 cm, with a thickness of 0.3 cm. Once the crust and topping are completed, the cake must be baked in a wood-burning steam oven for 60-90 seconds. Thanks to quick cooking under high temperature, the pizza crust will be soft, spongy and never burn.

One of the most popular pizzas here is margherita with main ingredients being tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil and olive oil. Pizza marinara is also very famous, served with tomatoes, oregano, olive oil and garlic.

Pizza Korea

Pizza is a popular fast food in Korean culinary culture. However, compared to America or European countries, Korean pizza often tastes sweeter than salty.

In Korea, you can order a classic seafood pizza with squid, shrimp and pineapple. Or sometimes try something more unconventional with pizza with sliced potatoes, sweet mustard and bulgogi (spiced beef). Kimchi pizza is also an interesting choice if you want to try new flavors.

In addition, a unique point in the way Koreans enjoy pizza is that they eat it with pickles. Most locals cannot give up this familiar side dish at every meal, so pizza shops in Korea also started serving pickles to please customers.

Pizza New York, USA

Like Argentina and Brazil, the origin of pizza in New York is also related to Italian immigrants.

At first, they couldn’t find a traditional wood-burning boiler, so they decided to use a charcoal oven to bake bread instead. Over time, they continued to adapt by adding oil and sugar to the pizza dough to create a light and airy crust texture.

New York pizzerias are characterized by often baking large-sized pies, then slicing and selling them in small pieces. The reason is because grilling with charcoal takes more time, they have to increase quality instead of quantity to meet demand.

Pizza Poland

In Poland, one of the most famous street foods is a variation of traditional pizza with a similar style to a sandwich, also known as zapiekanka.

You can find zapiekanka at street vendors across the country. However, making this dish is so simple that you can make it at home.

First, you just need to cut the baguette lengthwise. Then, add sauteed mushrooms, onions and shredded cheese on the surface, bake until the cheese melts and the bread becomes golden brown. Finally, drizzle with tomato sauce and mayo and enjoy.