At the '50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2026' awards ceremony held at the Italian Cultural Institute in Tokyo, Japan, on March 9th, Spacca Napoli, located in Hapjeong-dong, Seoul, proudly secured the 4th position. Alongside this achievement, the pizzeria also took home a highly coveted special award, the ‘PIZZA OF THE YEAR 2026 - Latteria Sorrentina Award’, for its signature Margherita pizza.
Hosted by '50 Top Pizza', a globally recognized, Italy-based pizza evaluation guide, the awards are renowned for their strict and independent assessment process. Uninfluenced by advertising or sponsorships, expert inspectors visit pizzerias anonymously as regular customers, objectively evaluating everything from taste and dough perfection to ingredient quality, service, and atmosphere.
Chef Lee Young-woo (Giulio), who leads Spacca Napoli, expressed his immense joy regarding the special award: "Receiving this award presented by the most historic and famous mozzarella cheese company in Naples is a profound honor, perhaps even more meaningful than placing 4th overall." He added, "I want to share the joy of leaping five spots from 9th place last year with our customers who love Spacca Napoli, and my team members who have stood by me with unwavering craftsmanship for a long time."
Chef Lee (Giulio) also shared his culinary philosophy. "The realm of an artisan is a sense achieved only through countless repetitions and failures. Therefore, rather than rushing to get things done, it is likе embarking on a long journey," he said. "Ranking higher certainly brings pressure, but rather than forcing anything new, I will focus on meticulously checking for the best ingredients and maintaining our unchanging, authentic taste."
Furthermore, he offered a warm perspective on the domestic pizza market. "In line with global trends, the number of traditional Neapolitan pizzerias in Korea is steadily increasing, leading to an overall upward standardization in quality," Chef Lee (Giulio) observed. "With the addition of the meticulous dexterity and craftsmanship unique to Koreans, I hope we are entering an era where people enjoy the distinct personality and charm of each pizzeria, rather than simply judging who is better or worse." Concluding his remarks, he thanked the organizers, stating, "Achieving 4th place in the Asia-Pacific region signifies that the status of Korean pizza has risen globally."
Following its rank of 57th at the '50 Top Pizza World 2025' last year, Spacca Napoli has firmly etched its presence on the international stage with this top-tier leap in the 2026 Asia-Pacific awards.
[글로벌에픽 이성수 CP / lss@globalepic.co.kr]
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