Pizza Hut Offers Unique Snake Pizza in Hong Kong

Pizza Hut, an American company, has partnered with a long-standing Hong Kong restaurant to reinvent a classic dish by incorporating a contemporary twist - the inclusion of snake on their pizza.

This innovative creation harmonizes shredded snake meat, black mushrooms, and Chinese dried ham, essential components of an authentic snake stew. The Hong Kong franchise strategically employs this unique offering as part of their online marketing strategy to spark fascination and conversation.

In Hong Kong and southern China, snake stew has been a popular dish, particularly in the colder months. A local Cantonese saying suggests that the ideal time to indulge in snake is "when the autumn wind begins to blow," as that signifies when the snakes have fattened up in preparation for hibernation.

Snake meat is commonly believed to possess medicinal properties that can enhance skin conditions and provide body warmth. The consumption of snakes for culinary purposes is prevalent in various parts of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Thailand, where they are typically bred and raised.

According to Pizza Hut Hong Kong, when snake meat is combined with cheese and diced chicken, it enhances the flavor. The statement also suggests that snake meat is considered "nourishing" and believed to have the ability to improve blood circulation, according to traditional Chinese medicine. This unique combination with pizza breaks away from traditional ideas of promoting good health and offers an adventurous taste experience.

The chain has collaborated with Ser Wong Fun, a historic snake restaurant in Central Hong Kong established in 1895, to create their newest recipe. Offering a unique twist, the 9-inch pizza substitutes the traditional tomato base with exquisite abalone sauce. This limited-time delicacy will be available for purchase until November 22.

CNN sampled the pizza and discovered that the texture of the snake resembled that of dry chicken.

Mabel Sieh, a Hong Kong resident who describes herself as a food enthusiast, expressed her concern about the situation. She mentioned that she finds it frightening since snakes are not commonly considered as food in several cultures, particularly in the Western world.

But Rachel Wong, a Hong Kong native, has been a fan of snake soup ever since she had her first bowl as a child. She is now thrilled about the addition of this new item to the menu.

Karen Chan, the general manager of Pizza Hut Hong Kong and Macao, enlisted the expertise of Ser Wong Fun to craft a delectable combination of snake-based ingredients sourced from Chinese rat snakes, banded kraits, and white banded snakes.

Hong Kong Pizza Hut locations are set to roll out new menu additions. Among them is a unique pizza incorporating traditional Chinese preserved sausages, which are often featured in a beloved local claypot rice dish. This choice is particularly appealing to Hong Kong residents when the temperature drops.

Asian franchises of the original American brand have previously embraced a more daring culinary approach to honor the local food culture. One instance of this is found in Taiwan, where Pizza Hut introduced pizzas incorporating durian, pig blood curds, and preserved eggs — ingredients deeply rooted in the local culinary tradition.

Meanwhile, Pizza Hut in Japan created a pizza topped with Tonkotsu ramen (pork bone soup ramen).

And the craze does not stop at Pizza Hut.

Dominos put boba, the sweet tapioca balls found in bubble tea, on its pizza three years ago in Taiwan as a tribute to the local dessert drink that has gained popularity around the world.