Viet Nam News
Would you be surprised if I told you that the most popular pizzeria in Ha Noi and HCM City, franchises excluded, is one created not by an Italian but a Japanese team? Come check it out with The Nomad Quynh and see for yourself.
Pizza is perhaps one of the most universally-loved dishes. The Italians often pride themselves on making the best one or having some of the best pizza chefs on earth. While some people might agree with that, in Viet Nam’s biggest cities like HCM City and Ha Noi, where there are no shortage of Italian pizzerias around, the most popular destination for pizza lovers, locals and foreigners alike, is actually a Japanese fusion style pizzeria named Pizza 4P’s, which stands for “Platform of Personal Pizza for Peace”.
It was a beautiful Wednesday evening, and I had a date with a foreigner friend who told me “I’ve had too much of Vietnamese food. Let’s go out for pizza”. We headed out to 4P’s - a place we’ve been to numerous times and never been disappointed with the food. Its beautifully designed venues and convenient locations add to its advantages as well.
As we sat in front of the wood-fired ovens, I looked around and couldn’t help admiring them for being completely full even on a weekday, as with all their other branches, nearly 10 in total, in all the biggest cities of Viet Nam - HCM City, Ha Noi and Da Nang. They are perhaps one of the very few restaurants here where you have to make a reservation several days in advance in order to guarantee a seat. So what’s their secrets? Quality products maintained with consistency, professionalism and great attention to details - things the Japanese are widely known for.
Let’s talk about the food. 4P’s products are fresh, delicious, consistent and creative. They produce their own cheese, about 8 kinds everyday, from fresh milk in Don Duong - a small town one hour drive from Da Lat in central Viet Nam.
Their burrata salad with parma ham and mixed tropical fruits (VND120,000+ for a small one and VND220,000+ for a big one) is one of my favourites. The delicious combination of juicy sweetness from the fruits, the slight saltiness of the ham, the richness of the cheese and a touch of creaminess from their house-made fennel sauce makes for a very refreshing dish and a perfect starter in the hot and humid tropical weather of Viet Nam.
Their signature dish and must-try, as the name suggests, is certainly pizza. Among their bestsellers is the 5-cheese (VND280,000+) made from parmesan, mozzarella, camembert, blue and taleggio cheese, all house-made. Cheese goes very well with something sweet, thus honey is also served on the side. This is without doubt the best cheese pizza I’ve had in Viet Nam. If you love cheese like me, this is one you cannot miss.
Otherwise, if you prefer less cheese on the base, try the burrata parma ham pizza made with fresh burrata cheese, parma ham, cherry tomatoes and arugula (VND290,000+). All the vegetables come from their contracted farm also in Don Duong, with the concept “farm to table” to ensure their freshness.
And of course, since this is a Japanese-owned pizza brand, there are interesting fusion flavours such as salmon sashimi, chicken teriyaki or Japanese ginger pork pizza. Once in a while even more creative seasonal pizzas are featured on the menu, for example “cha ca” pizza, taken after the famous cha ca dish in Ha Noi. A half-half option is also available for those who likes to sample different tastes.
Next to pizza, pasta is another dish that 4P’s is famous for. My companion opted for fresh house-made fettucine with stewed beef tongue (VND220,000+), while my choice was also fettucine with shrimp, mushroom, cream and nuts (VND178,000+). Both were very good - perfectly al dente, fresh and flavourful - but the shrimp and mushroom version was probably more unique. I highly recommend it, especially to someone who likes their pasta rich and creamy like me.
Savory dishes are not all of 4P’s appeals. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you will fall in love with their heavenly desserts. Their double cheesecake (VND60,000+) is in my opinion the best cheesecake in the city and certainly a must-try if you like it soft, light and airy. Otherwise if you prefer the traditional American style, go for the non-baked berry cheesecake (VND70,000+).
Their lemon tart (VND60,000+) or creamy pudding (VND42,000+) are other good choices, and if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, why not try the Camembert ice cream (VND45,000+). Many Westerners might shudder with the thought of mixing camembert and ice cream, but 4P’s version of camembert is not too strong and thus makes a very interesting combination. I dare to say I love it!
In short, if you are in Viet Nam for a short stay and ever miss the comfort food from home, check out Pizza 4P’s and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. However, make sure to book at least a day in advance, or just go there and be prepared to be served in an hour.
Pizza 4P’s
Address: 8 Thu Khoa Huan, District 1 (in HCM City) and 24 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem District (in Ha Noi).
(For more locations check out their website: http://pizza4ps.com/location)
Tel: 028 3622 0500
Opening hours: Everyday from 10am to 11pm or 2am (depending on the location)
Comment: Delicious Japanese-Italian fusion style pizzeria made with fresh house-made ingredients in beautiful and modern settings.