Unique pizza toppings from around the world might make you curious, while others might make your taste buds cringe, but all of them have one thing in common: they’re loved by the locals.
For most Americans, ordering a pizza is usually pretty straightforward. We enjoy our classic cheese slices, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and maybe a veggie supreme pizza if we’re feeling healthy. If we’re feeling a little wild occasionally, we might also throw some pineapple into the mix, or other fun combo pizza.
Here’s the fun part: what seems strange or downright crazy to us is completely normal somewhere else. Around the world, pizza has taken on a personality of its own, with regional ingredients and flavors turning an Italian classic into something uniquely local. The world toppings shown below raise the question of, “Would you try that?”
🇸🇪 Sweden: Banana Curry Pizza
Think pineapple is controversial in the United States? What would Americans think about the Swedish banana curry pizza that has been a staple on Swedish pizza menus for decades. Common toppings on the pie include banana slices, chicken or ham, peanuts, curry powder, and mozzarella. It may seem like a bizarre topping combination, many Swedes swear by the sweetness of the banana, saying it perfectly balances with the savory curry and salty meat.
🇯🇵 Japan: Squid, Mayo & More
Japan has embraced pizza with its own creative twist. Popular toppings include: Squid, mackerel, teriyaki chicken, potato, mayonnaise, mochi (rice cakes). The Japanese are known for experimenting with seasonal ingredients on pizza while still respecting classic Italian techniques.
🇧🇷 Brazil: Green Peas Everywhere
Brazilian pizza is famous for piling on toppings. Some favorites include: green peas,chicken with Catupiry cheese, corn, quail eggs, cream cheese, and even dessert pizzas topped with chocolate or guava. Brazilian restaurants are also known to serve pizza rodízio-style, where servers continuously bring out slices with a variety of different topping combinations.
🇦🇺 Australia: Wild Game on a Pizza
Australia takes advantage of interesting local ingredients. Kangaroo, crocodile, egg, and prawns are not uncommon toppings. The Australian Heritage Hotel in Sydney is famous for serving it’s signature saltwater crocodile pizza. Other classic Aussie Pizzas typically feature ham and egg as common toppings.
🇮🇳 India: Colorful, Bold Flavors
Indian pizzas often replace traditional Italian ingredients with local favorites. A visit to a pizzeria in India might include paneer, tandori chicken, pickled ginger, minced mutton, and spicy curry sauces. The result is a pizza bursting with familiar Indian spices and flavors.
🇷🇺 Russia: Seafood Lovers Unite
One unusual Russian specialty is the Mockba (or Moscow) pizza, known for it’s seafood toppings. This pizza is traditionally served cold and topped with a mix of four types of fish: tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines, the sprinkled with red onions, fresh herbs, capers, or even a dash of roe.
After looking at these topping choices, would you try them?
Leave a comment to let me know what your favorite local topping is.
~ Marty The Pizza Guy~
LIKE – FOLLOW – SHARE – COMMENT
Want more pizza stuff?
Visit MartyThePizzaGuy.com
#pizza #pizzablog #WorldPizzaToppings
Let me know what you think!