Cooking with fire is having a bit of a moment, with famous chefs like Francis Mallmann specialising in techniques that use open flames and firewood to prepare food. However, it’s often forgotten that for centuries, fire was the only means of cooking. In fact, when it comes to wood-fired pizzas, the history dates all the way back to when the Ancient Greeks first baked their bread in clay ovens. From there, Italians adapted the method and added a luscious cheese and sauce combination, bringing us the pizzas we know and love today.
Whilst there are many pizzerias in Bangkok now, only few actually bake their pies in this traditional manner with a wood-fired oven. The difference? Using a wood-fired oven means that the live fire maximises the crispy and melty potential of dough and cheese. Due to the quick cooking time of using such high heat, the fresh ingredients that sit on the dough are also able to retain most of their nutrients, and offer a boosted flavour of charred harmony.
Step up your pizza game and take a slice out of the wood-fired oven life. From a classic Neapolitan-style to a huge hamburger pizza, we’ve rounded up some of the best venues in Bangkok to enjoy this authentic and delicious style of cooking. But a fair warning: Once you go wood-fired, you’ll never want to go back.
Image Credit: Peppina; Hero image credit: Unsplash/ Cathal Mac an Bheatha<img
Ciao Pizza
Launched by the Water Library, a restaurant group at the helm of the renowned Hong Bao and Water Library Chamchuri, this chic Italian restaurant tucked away in Silom Soi 3 is serving up handcrafted pizzas and sweet Italian desserts. With an open-kitchen concept, you’ll get to see the talented chefs in action, rolling out the perfectly round dollops of dough, and turning the pizzas in the piping-hot wood-fired oven. Presented by Italian chef Gerardo Calabrese, the highlights here include Pizza Carbonara and the Pizza Popeye, a perfect marriage of four types of cream cheese and meaty Italian sausage with cooked spinach. A delicious tip? Definitely try the Puccia Al Tartufo, a flatbread stuffed with fragrant black truffle, and a trio of cheeses. To end your meal, go for the deep-fried Nutella calzone, and swoon.
Ciao Pizza, 5 Sitthi Vorakij Building, Soi Phiphat, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok, +6694 754 7777
Delices de Capoue
Located at Ekkamai Complex, Delices de Capoue hosts cosy vibes amongst its wooden furnishings, and is a haven for people who are serious about their pizza. Since its opening, the pizzeria has been serving up an indulgent choice of pies made with not 24, but 72-hour fermented doughs. Due to the longer fermentation period, the dough has a slightly sour flavour, offering a uniquely pleasant aroma. For a stellar starter, try their Royal Cream: laced generously with fresh cream, melty mozzarella, mushrooms, and ham slices. If traditional is not your thing, Delices de Capoue also has a range of fusion pizzas, such as the Pizz’Hamburger and the Panang Kai options, undoubtedly delighting your senses with its American and Thai twists.
Delices de Capoue, Ekamai Complex, 359/7 Sukhumvit Soi 63, Bangkok, +662 020 1635
Theo Mio
Nestled within the InterContinental Bangkok, Theo Mio is run by award-winning chef Theo Randall, most noted for his famous Cappaletti di Vitello dish. With a focus on Italian meals that can be shared in true family style, the talented chef has now brought his time-tested pizza recipes to his restaurant in Bangkok. For an aromatic wine and pizza pairing, follow the chef’s recommendation and go for the Caprese pizza, paired with the Trebbian d’Abruzzo wine. The combination of the roasted red and yellow peppers, creamy burrata, and sprinkle of wild oregano on the pie pair beautifully with the wine.
Theo Mio, InterContinental Bangkok, 973 Phloen Chit Road, Bangkok, +662 656 0444
La Scala
Presented by Tuscan Chef David Tamburini, La Scala is the Italian house within The Sukhothai Bangkok, with a focus on classic and progressive Italian cuisine that truly speaks to the restaurant’s strengths. With a giant blazing fire oven, the restaurant offers an array of fine pizzas. A unique must-try is definitely the beautiful Schiacciatina: a sandwich pizza stuffed with luscious mascarpone cheese, tender Parma ham, wild rockets, and juicy tomatoes. Another great option is the Salsiccia Porri E Porcini pizza, a umami-packed pie loaded with premium Italian sausages and dry porcini mushrooms.
La Scala, 3/3 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok, +662 344 8888
Peppina
Tucked away in the residential area of Sukhumvit 33, Peppina is a Neapolitan-style pizzeria that has quickly become a favourite spot for local pizza connoisseurs. Bursting with flavour, our top pick here is the La Corona pizza. Made with house-own pizza dough and smeared with bright tomato sauce before baking in the wood-fired oven, the pie is topped with ribbons of Prosciutto, delicate greens, and an entire piece of burrata placed amid its centre. Looking for something different? Try the Montanara, consisting of golden-fried pizza dough, smeared with melted butter and topped with shredded Conciato cheese, fragrant lardo, and caramelised onion. Find all this goodness at Peppina’s Sukhumvit branch, or at their other outlets inside Central Embassy, The Commons, Crystal Park and Mega Bangna.
Peppina, 27/1 Sukhumvit 33, Bangkok, +662 119 7677
Kankanit Wichiantanon
Writer, Bangkok
Kankanit is a writer by day and a baker by night. If there’s one thing you should know about her, it’s that she can wax poetic about food 24/7. Her daily routine is writing, cooking, eating, repeat. They are the things that inspire her from morning 'til night.
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