GOT totally bitten by the Korean bug? Here’s another Korean trend that’s sure to tickle your fancy and get you even more absorbed in all things Korean: Mr. Pizza, the top pizza brand in Korea, is now in the Philippines. It just opened its doors to the dining public at the Ground Floor of Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City, in stylish fashion. The first Philippine store of Mr. Pizza, it is Mr. Pizza’s 505th store worldwide, as it is present not only in Korea and the Philippines but also in China and the United States, among others.
On opening day, Greenbelt Park was transformed into an outdoor ‘concert’ stage for a Korean pizza dough juggling group, whose performances drew oohs and aahs from guests and passers-by because nobody ever thought it hand-tossing of pizza could be elevated into this level of performing arts. What simple hand-tossing in-store pizza makers do when they prepare fresh pizza dough upon customers’ order has turned complex in the hands of the Korean pizza dough jugglers, who threw the dough up in the air as they strutted to the beat of the music, spinning the dough at the tip of their index finger the way a Harlem Globetrotter spins a basketball, then spinning it upside down and ‘dribbling’ it between their legs and letting it cross from shoulder to shoulder. What a spectacle it was that elicited loud applause from those watching the highly charged performances!
Then it was time to taste the pizza that earned for Mr. Pizza the Korea Brand Star Award in the pizza category for six consecutive years and made it top the Korea Customers’ Satisfaction Index (KCSI) in the pizza restaurant category also for six times. Beijing Evening News in China even named Mr. Pizza as Best Restaurant. Originating in 1990, Mr. Pizza has been No. 1 in Korea since 2009 and is the only food brand listed in the KOSDAQ, a first in the country’s food and beverage industry.
Mr. Pizza takes great pride in its pizza and abides by its 300% principle—100% hand-kneaded (determining the size of the pizza by hand-kneading and hand-juggling live dough), 100% full-hearted toppings (putting generous portions of toppings with the sincerity and dedication that a farmer puts into planting seeds), and 100% grill-baked (using screen grills to obtain a light, wholesome taste with less oil used).
“It’s a pact written in stone. That is our commitment,” says Tony Son, Mr. Pizza Korea’s director for global division.
Mr. Pizza’s premium gourmet pizzas include Seafood Island 2 (Php800 for regular pizza and Php980 for large pizza), crunchy and flavorful coconut shrimps with a variety of seafood, black olives and green bell pepper packed on a Gold crust; Gesal Montand (Php630/Php830), rich and aromatic crabmeat baked to perfection; Eggta (Php800/Php980), soft and moist egg tart crust topped with camembert cheese and beef steak; Shrimp Gold (Php680/Php880), an all-time favorite topped with whole shrimps seasoned with sweet and sour chili and Cajun spice; Macho Grande (Php630/Php830), a combination of rare round steak topping and cream cheese stuffed mocha bun crust; Secret Garden (Php630/Php830), tender chicken strips and fresh vegetables on white sauce; and Potato Gold (Php630/Php830), all-time best-seller with a mix of buttery potatoes and savory bacon.
Premium pizzas come with specified crusts, but diners who order them can change the crust and choose what they want from Original crust to Egg Tart, Cheddarella (Cheddar and mozzarella cheese combination), Gold, Cream Cheese, Mocha Bun and Cheese Cap crusts for a minimum fee.
Mr. Pizza also has Smarty Pizza thin-crust selections—Gorgonzola, Crab Cream and Spicy Meat—priced at Php330 per pizza; as well as a Classic Pizza line with Elpaso Deluxe, Spicy Pork Bulgogi, Bulgogi Pizza, New York Special, Vegetarian, Hawaiian Delight and Sweety Pizza at Php380 for regular sized pizza, and Php580 for large pizza), and Cheese Pizza (Php280/Php480).
Aside from its delicious pizzas, Mr. Pizza also offers Premium Pasta (Crab Carbonara, at Php330 per generous serving, is a must try!), Classic Spaghetti, and Risotto (whose two variants, BBQ Galbi Risotto at Php330 per order and Oven Cheese Seafood and Kimchi Risotto at Php380 per order, both incorporate Korean dishes),
The restaurant likewise commands a great following for its salads and side dishes, which include Mr. Chicken, spicy chicken wings; and Ms. Chicken, less spicy chicken wings, at Php230 per order of eight pieces. Fried Mozzarella Sticks is also a good choice. And to wash it all down, Mr. Pizza gives diners a choice among Hallabong Ade (sweet and zesty Korean tangerine), Aloe Vera Ade (sweet and aromatic beverage with chewy aloe) or Citron Ade (floral drink with a dense, tangy texture), at Php80 per glass.
Now that Mr. Pizza is in Manila, more exciting times are ahead, as it gears up for aggressive expansion in the months ahead to make Korea’s No. 1 pizza chain also No. 1 in the Philippines.
“We take pride in being able to provide Filipinos the opportunity to experience Korea’s best-tasting pizza. It is definitely something to look forward to,” says Mr. Son.
He adds: “Watch for a lot of store openings in the coming months.”
