Ribbit or regret? Internet divided over Pizza Hut China’s new frog-topped pizza

Pizza Hut China has thrown the culinary world a curveball with the launch of a toad-tally unusual offering - a thick-crust pizza adorned with a deep-fried bullfrog.

Created in collaboration with Chinese tech giant Tencent’s hit mobile game Dungeon and Fighter: Origins, the pizza restaurant chain said in its Weibo post on Nov 18 that the dish, named Goblin Pizza, pays homage to one of the game’s characters.

According to an advertisement on Pizza Hut China’s Weibo account, the pizza was available for pre-order from Nov 18 to 20 as part of a 169-yuan (S$31) limited-edition set meal, which included exclusive game merchandise. It was launched for general sales on Nov 21 and will be available till Dec 19.

This exotic creation has since drawn mixed reactions online from the public and industry watchers.

One Weibo user left a tongue-in-cheek comment, saying “Who will send it to the Italians?”, while another tagged the Italian Embassy in China’s account and jokingly requested for them to “send troops”.

Food industry consultant David Henkes, who shared the advertisement on social media platform X, said: “In proof that other countries and cultures embrace different proteins, Pizza Hut in China is offering a frog-topped pizza for a limited time - frog is trending!”

In China, Dungeon and Fighter had surpassed the combined profits of Tencent’s other well-known titles, such as PubG Mobile and Honor of Kings, in the first 10 days of its launch on the iOS platform, according to a report by data analytics firm Sensor Tower.

The pizza features a bright red sauce base topped with a fried whole bullfrog resting in a bed of coriander. It also features halved hard-boiled eggs and black olives that resemble the eyes of the frog.

On Reddit, where one customer shared a photo of the real-life pizza, comments ranged from horror to curiosity.

One user declared, “This pizza is a felony,” while another joked, “You can ribbit this right into the garbage.”

Not everyone was quick to condemn the dish. One foodie defended the topping choice, saying, “Fried frog legs are so good! Maybe shred the meat next time - it could work.”

Another, however, had a less adventurous grievance: “I’m more upset about the olives.”

This unconventional topping taps into China’s affinity for bold and diverse flavours.

McDonald’s China caused a stir in 2020 with its Spam and Oreo burger, described as a bizarre yet intriguing mix of salty and sweet.

Meanwhile, Domino’s Japan introduced its Crispy Fish and Chips Pizza in 2021, which layers fried fish, potatoes, and tartar sauce over a tomato base.

Asia’s fast-food scene has long been a testing ground for adventurous menus, with a myriad of unique ingredients that reflect local tastes and culture. Some other quirky creations that have also garnered attention in recent times include ramen topped with sushi, cheesecake, or even marshmallows.

Whether you see Pizza Hut China’s frog-topped pizza as a leap forward or a “ribbiting” crime against Italian cuisine, one thing is clear: it is a conversation starter.