Inspired by the traditional snake stew, 'Snake Pizza' is making waves in and outside Hong Kong

Snake Pizza…aghast by the name? Yes, this unconventional dish exists. For that's actually a pizza variety on Pizza Hut's menu in Hong-Kong. Snake Pizza is a new addition, an adaptation of an old traditional culinary favourite which is the snake stew or soup in the bustling city…CNN states that the American Pizza chain has joined hands with a 100-year-old restaurant in the city to bring the dish to customers till the 22nd of November.

The Ser Wong Fun restaurant has roots that can be traced way back to 1895. It serves a variety of snake meat dishes, one of which is the snake stew much favoured by residents in the winters. Pizza Hut's ‘Snake pizza’ toppings are a combination of shredded snake meat, black mushrooms, and Chinese dried ham.

The traditional dish that has inspired the new pizza is regarded as a means to beat the winter chill. It is also known to be beneficial for its skin improvement properties. Snake stew is a soup-like concoction, much favoured in Hong Kong and southern China. There are many types of snake stew but meat and Chinese herbs are indispensable ingredients in them all. Some snake stew recipes use meats other than that of snakes too, like chicken or pork.  

The new pizza measures about 9 inches and has an abalone sauce base instead of the conventional tomato base. The pizza will be available at the chain's outlets in the city till November 22.