KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — It’s a dish that divides. A simple addition like pineapple has been known to pit brother against brother, with everyone from Gordon Ramsay to your neighbour weighing in on the issue. To be sure, I’m ALL for pineapple on pizza. Hawaiian pizzas are delicious!
But that’s just one example. There are far tougher issues, like peas and mayo on a pizza! The debate on this nearly blew up the Twittersphere last year when a user posted a photo of a pizza with the unconventional toppings along with this caption: “Peas and mayonnaise pizza?! Yes please.” The posting drew a large number of response (many were against what they regarded a “disgusting” combination) — proof that people take their pizzas seriously.
As someone who grew up eating pizza from a bakery after tuition, I’m very much in support of peas and mayo on pizza. Whatever your thoughts are on pizza toppings, you can’t deny the fact that this Italian dish has taken the world by storm.
Here are a few independent pizza places you may want to check out.
Pizza on Fire
If there’s just one place you have time to visit, make it this one! A friend told me about this no-frills pizza parlour and I decided to pop over recently. There’s no seating indoors but the staff put together a few tables and chairs outside. I was less than impressed… until the pizza came. I had the Salmon Pizza with Egg, which also had arugula on top. I sat grumpily in the hot afternoon sun and bit into a slice. The subtle, clean flavours of the salmon mixed with rocket leaves and mozzarella immediately lifted my mood and before I knew it, I had devoured the entire 12-inch pie. A random passerby who told me she lives around the corner asked me how good the pizza was. I told her it was lit.
Ground Eatery
I have heard rumblings of a char siew (BBQ pork) pizza in Puchong and decided I ought to check the rumours out. This quaint café does a Char Siew Pizza that contains roasted char siew, mentaiko (Pollock roe), mozzarella and crispy seaweed strips on top. The pizza base is thin and crusty and the sweet and savoury flavours go so well together. There are a lot of textural highlights, which makes eating the pizza fun. Not to be missed!
Puzzini Swedish Pizza
I came here to eat the Karl Gustav Pizza, which I hear is the top-selling pizza in Sweden for the past decade. It’s a pie made with lamb kebab, cheese, a spicy kebab sauce, fresh tomatoes, raw onions, hot pickled chilli peppers and lots of yoghurt. I like the different flavours in here. You hardly ever experience such a unique blend of ingredients on a pizza. The yoghurt sauce cuts through the richness and makes you want another slice. The flavours also reminded me of Middle Eastern cuisine so if you like that, you’ll love this too.
Uncle Don’s
I’m a huge fan of their local flavoured pizza. They have Tamarind Pork, Devil’s Curry, Sambal Kapitan Pork and Mutton Curry Pizzas and they’re all good! My favourite is the Tamarind Pork Pizza — the sour notes are a beautiful addition, which is a nice departure from the usual pizza flavours. Very irresistible, this.
Santinos Pizza
This pizzeria is known for serving authentic Italian pizzas. I enjoy the crunchy crust and sweet tomato sauce. Although it’s a more established brand, with presence in Sabah and Sarawak apart from the Klang Valley, Santinos has managed to retain the vibe of an independent restaurant.
GETTING THERE
Pizza on Fire
C-213, Metropolitan Square, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya
LRT/MRT: Mutiara Damansara
Distance: 600 metres
Operating hours: noon-11pm, except Fridays (3-11 pm). Closed on Mondays.
Ground Eatery
30, Jalan Puteri 1/2, Bandar Puteri Puchong, Selangor
LRT/MRT: Pusat Bandar Puchong
Distance: 600 metres
Operating hours: noon-11pm
Puzzini Swedish Pizza
41, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
LRT/MRT: TTDI
Distance: 400 metres
Operating hours: 11am-3pm; 5-10pm (weekdays), 11am-10pm (weekends)
Uncle Don’s
55a, Jalan USJ 10/1f, Taipan Business Centre, Subang Jaya, Selangor
LRT/MRT: Taipan
Distance: 600 metres
Operating hours: noon-1am
Santinos Pizza
5, Jalan USJ Sentral 1, Persiaran Subang, Subang Jaya, Selangor
LRT/MRT: USJ 7
Distance: 300 metres
Operating hours: 10am-11pm.
