Indian cuisine is widely recognised for its rich diversity of spices, herbs, and bold flavours. As more people around the world become exposed to Indian cuisine, there's a rising interest in incorporating Indian flavours into Western dishes.
Pizza, a universally beloved food, has become a prime canvas for this fusion. This trend is particularly evident in countries with significant Indian diaspora communities, where Indian flavours are integrated into popular local foods and the UK is one of them. Indian-flavoured pizzas often feature toppings that blend traditional Italian elements with Indian cuisine staples. Tandoori chicken, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), spicy lamb kebabs, and vegetables marinated in aromatic spices like garam masala, cumin, and coriander are common choices.
Sauces can also be adapted, with pizza bases topped with tikka masala, butter chicken sauce, or spicy chutneys instead of traditional tomato sauce. This results in pizzas with deep, complex flavours that stand out in a crowded market. The growing interest in healthier eating habits has also played a role in shaping Indian-flavoured pizzas. With more consumers seeking plant-based and nutrient-dense options, many Indian pizzas feature ingredients like paneer, spinach, chickpeas, and lentils, offering both a nutritious and flavourful alternative. Whole wheat or millet pizza bases and dairy-free cheese options have also been introduced to cater to health-conscious eaters.
One such pioneer of this fusion trend in London is East West London, owned by Devinder Singh. Inspired by his travels to Puglia, Italy, Devinder initially planned to open a fine dining Italian restaurant in partnership with a restaurant in Bari. However, when that partnership fell through, the concept of an Indian-Italian fusion restaurant took shape. “We decided to experiment and base the toppings on the food we grew up eating at home,” Devinder explained.
Among the restaurant’s most popular offerings are ‘The O.G.’ and ‘Hara Bhara,’ both inspired by classic Punjabi dishes like Butter Chicken and Palak Paneer but elevated with non-traditional ingredients. Devinder’s personal favourite, however, is the ‘Fickle Pickle,’ which features tandoori chicken with a butter sauce base, accented by pickling spices. For those new to Indian-flavoured pizzas, he recommends the ‘C.T.M.’—a nod to Britain’s beloved Chicken Tikka Masala.
On the inspiration behind the fusion concept, Devinder shared, “The idea was to take our favourite Indian dishes and deconstruct them for a traditional 48-hour proofed Italian base. When you get a pizza from East West, you’re guaranteed a full-flavored experience with inventive toppings that appeal to people from all walks of life. Indian and Italian cuisines are two of the most popular in the world, so it made sense to bring them together.”
As for the growing popularity of Indian-flavoured pizzas, Devinder believes it stems from a desire for more variety. “I think people are getting bored with the traditional Italian pizzas, which tend to be limited in their offerings, especially for vegetarians,” he said. By blending the best of both worlds, Indian-flavoured pizzas offer a fresh, exciting, and inclusive dining experience.
