The term refers to a specific culinary offering: a pizza variant characterized by ingredients and flavor profiles inspired by the Pacific Rim. This typically includes toppings such as grilled pineapple, teriyaki chicken or tofu, sesame seeds, ginger, and sweet chili sauce. These components aim to create a fusion of tastes representing the diverse food cultures bordering the Pacific Ocean.
This style of pizza provides several advantages. It introduces consumers to novel flavor combinations beyond traditional Italian-American offerings. The incorporation of fresh, often locally sourced, ingredients enhances the nutritional value. Historically, the development of this culinary innovation reflects the increasing globalization of food culture and the willingness of chefs to experiment with cross-cultural culinary techniques, leading to the diversification of pizza offerings worldwide. The popularity stems from a desire for more adventurous and ethnically diverse dining experiences.