The United States is an amazing place for eating pizza. But sometimes… I really miss Korean pizza.
Of course, Korean pizza is already super localized — and honestly, I think that’s been a success. Some foreign friends even told me Korean pizza was way better than they expected. So let me break down what makes it special and which ones I personally miss the most.
Korean Pizza: Experimental But Delicious
One of the best chefs, Gordon Ramsay, once said that adding pineapple to pizza is a crime. I’m not sure if he’s ever seen Korean pizza — but if he has, he might think Korean pizza is a full-on jail sentence.
Korean people are experimental. Period. They try all kinds of wild toppings. Bulgogi? Of course. That’s actually one of the most common ones. The dough is different too — I heard some places even use cookie dough for the crust (haven’t tried it yet, though).
Even the same pizza brand in the U.S. and Korea tastes different. U.S. dough is oilier and saltier. Korean dough? More chewy. Personally, I don’t like crust, so my wife usually eats mine. But in Korea, crusts are a whole different level — not just cheese-filled, but sweet potato, cookie, or even cream cheese.
So Which Korean Pizzas Do I Miss Most?
Here are my top 5:
1. Bulgogi Pizza
This is the classic Korean-style pizza. The sweet-savory bulgogi blends perfectly with cheese. You can even find this at Costco in South Korea. There’s also a version called Bulgabi pizza, which is similar. Kids love this one too.
2. Potato Pizza
Topped with potato and bacon. Simple, but the flavor is so good. I really love potato in general, so this one hits the spot. A lot of people eat it with sour cream — I skip that part — but still, I highly recommend it.
3. Sweet Potato Pizza
You already know I love sweet potato. Same concept as the potato pizza, but with sweet potato. Plus, the sweet potato crust is amazing. I usually order potato pizza and upgrade the crust. That way I get the best of both.
4. Chicken Pizza
This one’s different from BBQ chicken pizza in the U.S. It depends on the brand, but usually they add chicken on top of a combo-style pizza. Some days, I really miss this one.
5. Shrimp Pizza
I love seafood, but shrimp pizza is hard to find in the U.S. I know seafood pizzas exist here, but I haven’t really seen any with a good amount of shrimp. In Korea, some brands load it up. That’s my kind of pizza.
If you visit Korean pizza chains, you’ll see a huge variety of toppings and styles. Some are a little out there — but honestly, it comes down to personal taste. I won’t say Korean pizza is the best in the world, but it’s unique, creative, and definitely worth trying. If you’re in South Korea, grabbing a pizza could be a fun new food experience.
