With 650 stores worldwide, Pizza maru has opened its doors to its third Toronto location, located in the downtown core of the city.
By Kayla Solway
K-pop plays over the speakers of Pizza maru as customers wait for their pizza. (Kayla Solway/CanCulture)
Located on 66 Gerrard St. E., Pizzamaru is a fusion of Korean flavours with a classic Italian tradition: pizza.
As visitors step inside, they are welcomed by the full Korean experience. The restaurant caters to both takeout and dine-in guests. If you choose to dine in, you'll be swaying to the K-pop songs playing over the speakers while using the typical stainless steel cups and plates that are commonly found in Korean dining establishments.
Featuring nine unique Korean-inspired pizzas and a variety of traditional pizza options, a staff member was more than eager to offer their recommendations:
“The Signature Schimbul is our most popular on the menu and comes with bulgogi, shrimp and potatoes. People also have been loving the Seafood Bay and AAA Steaky Smoked.”
The pizzas are topped with various ingredients such as corn, bulgogi, potatoes and mayonnaise. The blend of taste and texture sets it apart from more traditional options. With a wide variety of crusts, such as bread crumble and garlic, it is truly a customizable experience.
A spicy Crazy Chicken Shrimp is placed on the left and the Holy Honey Sweet Potato sits on the right, ready to be devoured. (Kayla Solway/CanCulture)
The Crazy Chicken Shrimp was a spice lover's dream. As the hottest pizza on the menu, it did not disappoint. There was a generous layer of cheese, topped with shrimp and chicken breast on the classic thin crust.
The Holy Honey Sweet Potato was a thin crust pizza, topped with a thick layer of cheese. The sweet potato was soft and paired perfectly with the other ingredients. Topped with the honey, there was a slight sweetness to the pizza, and the corn gave it a Korean touch.
If you aren't in the mood for pizza, their menu extends to a variety of both fried and oven-baked chicken with distinct Korean flavours such as sweet corn, Korean soy, and Korean BBQ. Not to mention, they offer sides such as Chili Topokki and Meat Cheese Spaghetti.
Although Pizza Maru may seem expensive, with small sizes starting at $15 and larger sizes ranging from $24 to $35, it is worth a visit for those who are looking for a new and unique pizza experience. Pizza Maru offers a range of delicious and innovative pizzas that are worth trying out.
For the month of November, students can also take advantage of the 20% discount available on weekdays.