The Swedish Kebab Pizza and why it’s so important

Italians would probably hate it but most Swedes can’t imagine Sweden without it. What is it? Yep, the famous Swedish kebab pizza. 🍕 Have you tried it yet? Is it worth it? What makes this pizza so important? In this blog, I decided to answer these questions once and for all.

Creation of kebab pizza

In the 1970s and 1980s, many people immigrated to Sweden, including people from the Middle East. They brought with them their yummy culinary traditions, especially the concept of the world-famous (and my favourite) kebabs. Pizza had already become a popular and widespread dish in Sweden during this time and local pizzerias adapted their menus to incorporate a variety of toppings. Around this time, the concept of a kebab pizza was born.

What is kebab pizza?

The Swedish kebab pizza typically consists of a pizza base topped with tomato sauce, cheese, thinly sliced marinated kebab meat (often beef or chicken), fresh vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes, and a garlic or yogurt-based sauce. The combination reflects the fusion of traditional Swedish pizza ingredients with Middle Eastern flavors. Nowadays there are many varieties of kebab pizzas to choose from and the toppings may slightly differ.

What makes it so important?

The Swedish kebab pizza is important because it represents a form of cultural integration, where culinary traditions from different parts of the world come together to create a dish that has become a distinct part of Swedish cuisine and culture.
This dish is now firmly rooted in the country’s food culture, and it continues to be loved by people of various backgrounds. This showcases how food can serve as a delicious expression of cultural exchange and integration. 🥳

Is it worth a try?

At first, I thought it was a little crazy idea to put kebab on a pizza but I would say it’s worth a try (unless you hate kebab 😶). I recommend sharing the first couple of slices with friends because it might be a bit of a ‘fatty bomb’ for one person alone. Many international students find it too heavy to eat the whole pizza alone.
Also, if the sauce on pizza freaks you out too, well, get over it because Swedish kebab pizza wouldn’t work without it. Embracing the Swedish culture also means being open to its multicultural elements that developed here over the decades. So stop overthinking and give your tastebuds a chance to experience a pizza like no other!