Pizza has quite a few stamps in its passport. From its humble origins in Italy, pizza has travelled across continents and been shaped by different cultures - resulting in countless flavours, styles, and traditions. 

Be it tropical toppings in Brazil or flatbread fusions in the Middle East, pizza around the world has evolved with tastes. But one thing remains constant: pizza is always a winner for dinner, no matter where it’s eaten.

At Papa Johns, we’re inspired by how different countries put their own spin on pizza, even sampling a few topping combo ideas of our own (Looking at you, Cypriot range).  Read on for some of the most popular and unique pizzas around the world.

Italy

The birthplace of pizza 

It all began in Naples, Italy, with the classic Margherita. Red tomato sauce, white mozzarella, and fresh, green basil: a patriotic masterpiece that’s stood the test of time and has been translated into almost every other culture since. In fact, the making of Pizza Napoletana (Naples pizza), with its light, airy crust and simple toppings, has been included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List - along with things like Arabic coffee as a symbol of generosity, and Tomyum Kung, a traditional prawn soup from Thailand.

United States

Deep dish & rectangles

In the US, pizza has transformed into all shapes and sizes, becoming a go-to dish in major cities. New York-style pizza sees thin slices with a chewy crust for eating on the go; Chicago deep dish is a hefty slice of thick crust and layered toppings that pack maximum flavour into every bite. Lastly, Detroit-style pizza switches things up with rectangle-shaped slices and a thick, crispy crust, with cheese spread right to the edge. 

Phillippines

Pineapple and pizza

If you asked a pizza-lover from the Philippines whether pineapple belonged on pizza, they’d say yes! A typical Filipino-style pizza is similar to the Hawaiian with its use of pineapple, although ham or even hotdog chunks can be used as the meat element. Other traditional ingredients used for delicious toppings include sardines, tinapa (smoked fish), bagnet (pork belly), and longganisa (a salty, garlicky pork sausage).

Japan

Squid and mochi toppings

In Japan, pizza promises personalisation and new, innovative topping combinations. It’s not uncommon to see teriyaki chicken, squid, corn, mayo, or even seaweed flakes on pizzas in Japan. What’s more, Japanese pizzerias are known for offering half-and-half pizzas, so diners can cram in two flavour profiles for the price of one! In recent years, mochi (pounded glutinous rice) has even been added to pizza crust to make it chewier.

Brazil

A tropical take on traditional pizza 

In Brazil, pizzas take on plenty of colour and tropical flavours, like hearts of palm, green peas, and traditional catupiry cheese (a type of cream cheese). But the most popular type of pizza in Brazil is widely regarded to be the Calabresa, a Brazilian sausage that makes this pizza a distant cousin of the pepperoni.

Finland

Reindeer pizza

In Finland, there is a pizza called “Poro” made by Kotipizza, which contains a unique blend of tomato sauce, cheese, red onion, chanterelle mushrooms, and smoked reindeer meat (yep, you read that right). The “Poro” was previously called the “Berlusconi” after the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, reported that he had to “endure” a Finnish cuisine of “marinated reindeer”. We’re yet to see another pizza topping combo devised out of spite!

India

Pizza meets spice

In India, traditional pizza toppings have taken on a more flavourful twist, with popular ingredients like paneer, pickled ginger, tandoori chicken, and even masala spices appearing on pizzas or in crusts. Typically, pizzas in India pack more of a punch spice-wise, and feature more veg-based toppings than other countries, too.

Australia 

New pizza flavours down under

Pizza down under is fairly similar to the favourite US and UK toppings; however, the ‘Aussie’, ‘Australian’, or ‘Australiana’ adds a new twist to the Tomato & Cheese. In this pizza, rich tomato sauce and mozzarella can be accompanied by chicken, ham, and even bacon and egg! Seafood pizzas are also very popular in Australia, but gourmet pizzas are the most interesting of all - featuring unconventional toppings like kangaroo, emu, and saltwater crocodile meat!

Hungary

“White pizza”: a flatbread fusion

In Hungary, while classic Italian toppings are enjoyed, plenty of unique local pizza flavours have emerged. The "Magyaros" (or Hungarian-style pizza) often includes hot peppers, red onion, salami, bacon, and kolbász (Hungarian sausage).  “White pizza” (without the tomato sauce) is also popular due to its similarity to the traditional Hungarian “kenyérlángos” or “langalló”, a flatbread with bacon, sour cream, and onions.

Get inspired by pizza around the world 

Wherever you travel, pizza brings people together, whether to share slices or debate about pineapple as a topping… 

Each country puts its own cultural stamp on the dish, making pizza a well-loved global comfort food. Whether you usually stick to the simplicity of a Margherita or dial up the spice with an American Hot, there’s something for everyone on the Papa Johns menu. Well, maybe everything except crocodile and reindeer meat.

Get inspired by pizza around the world and try something new from the Papa Johns menu today.