Monster Pizza

Review

Monster Pizza sits at No. 183 Zhongxiao Road in Taichung's South District, on the busiest stretch of Zhongxiao Night Market next to dumpling and fried snack stalls. Among all the Taiwanese street food it has made its name with big American-style thin-crust pies. A travel site puts it on its Zhongxiao must-eat list, and a news roundup of Taichung's best night market stalls praises its crisp crust and friendly prices. It is a budget favourite with foreign residents and students alike.

The pizzas here are huge, with thin, crisp crusts and generous toppings. Flavours rotate as pies come out of the oven, and a blogger suggests simply ordering whatever is fresh; jalapeño and cheese are the most recommended. You can buy a single slice to eat while you walk or take a whole box to share. Diners mention occasional limited flavours, and specials such as Thai chicken have their fans.

Fans praise the well-baked crust, plentiful toppings and better value than the chains, and many foreigners living in Taiwan call it one of the best New York-style pizzas in Taichung; the loyalty stamp card is popular too. Complaints are mostly about the small dining area with few seats, which is not ideal for lingering with children, and at peak times you may have to wait for the next pie to get a slice.

A travel site and a blogger list hours until 11:30 p.m. with no closing day, while online maps show an 11 p.m. close; sources differ, so check before you go. Slices suit snacking while walking the market, and for a whole pie it is best to phone ahead. Parking around the night market is hard, so a scooter or a bus from Taichung Station is easier.

Good for anyone tired of Taiwanese snacks and wanting a change, or for a group of friends sharing a whole box. First-timers can try one or two slices of whatever came out of the oven that day: jalapeño for spice lovers, double cheese for those who avoid heat. For a bigger group, a whole box is the best deal.