Global Grub: Strange Pizzas of the World

pizza and wine
Image: Joran Pecher.

The Italians invented it, Pizza Hut globalized it, and pretty much the entire world has appropriated pizza into their local cuisine. When I set out to write this, what I expected to find was adaptations on the classic tomato and cheese using local ingredients. What I found, however, was a descent into the absurd. What's revealing about a culture is what they are willing to put on their pizza. Click below to see my strange pizza finds, ranging from crocodile to corn, from the exotic to the disgusting.

(I will admit, being an American, I am bit more tolerant of strange pizza toppings. An Italian, however, might find any of these pizza variations unusual and punishable by death.)
japanese pizza hut pizza
Image: Aaron Olaf.

The Pizza Hut Japanese pizza takes it to a whole other level, strange toppings combine to make one really, really disgusting looking dinner.

crocodile pizza
Image: fboosman.

I can't help but wonder if this crocodile pizza in Sydney is really something the locals eat, or exists solely for the shock factor.

Corn Pizza
Image: Kwong Yee Cheng.

Apparently the Austrians like corn on their pizza.

Conizza makes pizza in a cone. Kinda disturbing to pizza purists, yet strangely attractive.

seafood pizza in nice
Image: mrjorgen.

And in France, there's the seafood pizza.

clams on pizza
Image: Operators Are Standing By.

Portland's Apizza Scholls does clams on their pizza.

What strange pizza (good or bad) have you encountered in your travels? Our once strange topping (now a favorite) is putting potato on pizza, which is quite common in Italy. Let us know in the comments below...

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Comments

khalil's picture khalil replied on

I've seen corn spread quite liberally on pizza in the Middle East. It is not a bad addition but something I didn't really expect to see. Now, I really am unsure about seafood on pizza. Don't think I can stomach that variety ;)

Petulia's picture Petulia replied on

This is so funny! I am Italian and must admit, the idea of a cone pizza is not bad. However, these people are not the inventors. Neapolitans serve their on the go pizza wrapped in a cone. Very handy for street food!

austin's picture austin replied on

I think it sounds good, I'll have to try cone pizza the next time we're down there.

khalil's picture khalil replied on

The bollywood commercial for the cone pizza is more disturbing than the actual product I think ;)

austin's picture austin replied on

It is, I've gotten that stupid commercial jingle in my head. Effective, yet annoying.

Daniel's picture Daniel replied on

I've also seen some seafood (alongside rotini and broccoli) pizza in Korea. They also have toppings like sweet potato and squash. I've had sweet pumpkin-filled crust, which was pretty good.

Redstar's picture Redstar replied on

Personally, the weirdest pizza I've seen was a Bacon-'n'-Eggs pizza; I can't remember where. This site actually helped me with my geography homework. ^__^ Thank you, guys!