Pizza Hut, an American corporation, has partnered with a century-old Hong Kong restaurant to create a modern take on a classic dish called snake on a pizza. The new dish includes Chinese dried ham, black mushrooms, and shredded snake meat—all essential components of a real snake stew—and is a cornerstone of the Hong Kong franchise’s internet marketing strategy. For a long time, certain diners in Hong Kong and the surrounding areas of southern China have loved snake stew, particularly in the winter. A local Cantonese tradition states that the greatest time to eat snake is “when the autumn wind begins to blow,” which refers to when the snakes have gained weight in anticipation of hibernating. Many people think that eating snake flesh can treat skin ailments.
Hong Kong resident Mabel Sieh, a self-described foodie who loves to try different pizzas, said, “I think it’s scary. Snakes aren’t food in many cultures, especially in the West.”
But Hong Kong native Rachel Wong, a big fan of snake soup since she had her first bowl when she was a kid, is excited about the new item on the menu.
“The texture is a bit like chicken and tastes like fish and other kinds of seafood. So I love having it as a high protein meal during winter,” she said.
Karen Chan, general manager of Pizza Hut Hong Kong and Macao, said the company tapped Ser Wong Fun’s expertise to prepare a mixed snake recipe from the breeds of Chinese rat snakes, banded kraits, and white banded snakes.
“The extraordinary snake pizzas offer a perfect balance to all flavors, both tantalizing and savory for this season,” she said.
