Pizza Maru Orchard Central

Fancy Pizzas with a Korean twist? Come Pizza Maru, they are a casual pizza dining place originating from South Korea that blends traditional Korean flavours with Western-style pizza. The prominent Korean pizza chain now has a presence in Singapore now with a couple of branches all about Singapore. Let’s check out their Korean-inspired pizzas with a dine-in today.

In a nutshell, Pizza Maru is known for their approach to pizza-of incorporating unique ingredients and health-conscious options. In Singapore, one of its notable outlets is located at Bugis+, Plaza Singapura mall, X-SCAP8 at Orchard Central and Changi Airport Jewel.

An eatery within an entertainment complex

The branch we are dining at today is located at their Orchard Central. Also, unlike their branches at Bugis+, the Pizza Maru branch here at Orchard Central has a different ambience and dining experience situated within the X-Scap8 entertainment complex. It is located in the same building we had the rather uneventful NBCB Burgers sometime back.

The Pizza Maru brand touts to provide a lively and modern dining environment which is unlike most dine-in restaurants. There is a strong element of play, with the area is dominated by a large arcade. Here you can find claw machines, games tables including foosball and a playground obstacle course. Notably, most of the patrons here were more interested in the food than the play area, which was left mostly empty through the night.

Also, the restaurant’s interior spots a contemporary decor with comfortable tabled seating (some with soccer balls). The restaurant versatile seating arrangement caters to both small groups and larger gatherings, with an open sports bar, suitable for casual meals and social gatherings alike.

Try their Chicago Pizza

Furthermore, Pizza Maru’s menu features diverse range of Korean inspired Pizza while remaining relevant to local tastes. It tad offers you a fusion of Korean and Italian cuisines in a vibrant yet fun play setting. Among the pizza offerings, the “Chicago” range of pan pizzas take a notable first recommendation for its rich, cheesy filling and hearty crust.

Their Hi Steak Chicago ($37.90 for 12″ large) is a staple pizza to try. This is a heavy-duty thick crust pizza packed with chunky beef steak cubes, mozzarella, cheddar, mushrooms, and onions. The crust is thick, buttery, and holds a ridiculous amount of cheese and beefy juices. It is also sprinkled with generous toppings of cheese powder.

Moreover, their signature pizza dough is claimed to incorporate a variety of infused herbs and spices. This includes green tea, chlorella, and 12 other healthy grains, offering a unique texture and flavour profile. Also, this health-conscious approach extends in their menu, tad appealing to diners seeking nutritious yet flavourful options.

Interestingly, the pizza has a peculiar arrangement of large sliced tomatoes sitting on top of each of the 6 pizza slices. Also, each bite hits you with a rich, savoury steak flavour. This is balanced out just a tad by the earthy mushrooms. Great if you love meat-heavy, cheesy pizzas, but it can get cloying after a few slices.

Pizzas with very stretchy cheese

Furthermore, I found the pizzas very rich in ingredients, which may not appeal to all palates. It may tad be overwhelming for diners seeking lighter options. If you demand something less heavy, their Real Chicago ($33.90) is a toned-down version of the Hi Chicago and is rather similar in basic offerings. It is essentially is a classic pan pizza filled within with loads of molten mozzarella, cream cheese, and tomato meat sauce. Also, I found the oven-baked crust crispy on the outside, yet soft and buttery inside. It does leave a satisfying crunch when bit into.

Also, the crust does contain and soak up the cheesy mess nicely. It tastes comforting rich, tangy, and really indulgent. Expect a serious stretchy cheese pull with every slice. And the cheese does stretch out for quite a distance too. Your pizzas are served with creamy jam sides too.

Pizza Maru X-SCAP8 restaurant entrance

X-SCAP8 arcade games area

Chicago cheese

Additionally, if you’re not a fan of heavy, gooey pizzas, their thinner Seoul Bay pizza ($24.90) is a light one to consider. It has a thin-crust seafood pizza topped with shrimp, squid, mussels, bell peppers, onions, and laced with an interesting tangy Korean-style sweet chilli sauce for some extra kick.

It does bring out the flavour to what is otherwise a rather uneventful and plain-looking pizza. Also, the seafood toppings are fresh and gives a nice chew, while the sauce adds just a tad of sweetness and heat without being overpowering. Its tad feels way less heavy compared to the Chicago menu options and is a safer bet if you want something seafood-forward but still lively.

Other pizza picks

Moreover, notable very-Korean offerings are their “Gangnam cowboy” steak meat pizza. It is tad like a take on the meat lovers staple and for those who do not mike vegetables. Also, their “Korean Surf’n Turf” pizza combines seafood and meat toppings, comprising of beef, prawns, and a mildly spicy Korean sauce.

It offers a balanced hit of land and sea. Its tad delivers a balanced blend of flavours. Interestingly, if you desire something safe, you can also find traditional pizza options, the “Margherita” and “Pepperoni” pizzas. This including a take on the Hawaiian favourite going by the Hawaiian Gongju Hawaiian Shrimp Pizza. The traditional prices are cheaper too, priced in the $20-25 range for a 12” large pizza.

Other minor menu options includes pasta and obligatory Korean fried chicken, which are great for sharing. Still, you be fine here at Pizza Maru just for their pizzas. Three pizzas can feed about 3-4 pax with ease with not much room to spare, setting you back about a reasonable $25-30 per head. Also, Pizza Maru portions are sizable and more filling than the thin yet awesome pizzas we had previously at Roberta’s Pizza Marina Bay Sands.

Wrapping up

Wrapping up on service and accessibility, the staff at Pizza Maru are generally attentive provides prompt service and helpful suggestions. Your pizzas are made-to-order, and take typically about 15-20 minutes to prepare after ordering, even during off-peak periods. Do be prepared for a wait. Notably, the establishment’s location within Orchard Central is accessible via public transportation, such as the nearby Somerset MRT station. The pizza establishment operates till 9:30pm daily, with extended hours to 10pm for Fridays and Saturdays.

All in all, that wraps up our dine-in here at Pizza Maru. I found their offerings of a diverse menu and the fusion of sweet and savoury South Korean flavours a great welcome in the already crowded pizza market in Singapore. Their interesting yet unconventional take on reinventing Pizza staples is also a welcome innovation, especially for those accustomed to traditional Western-style pizzas. Pizza Maru at Orchard Central offers a distinctive dining experience that merges Korean culinary with Western-style pizzas. Not too shabby to check out for a pizza-fix when you are in the Orchard Somerset area.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.