Pizza Sen (Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, Vietnam)
Wood-fired pizza by Ky Lan Lake in Hoa Lu Ancient Town, serving airy crusts, generous toppings, and crispy cheese chicken. You don’t expect one of the best pizzas of the trip to be beside an ancient town lake, but that’s exactly what happened. Light wood-fired crusts, incredibly thick pepperoni slices, crispy cheese-coated chicken, and a relaxing lakeside setting made this an easy favourite. #PizzaSen #NinhBinh #VietnamFood
Some meals are planned, while others simply happen because you walk past a place that looks too good to ignore. After cooling down with ice cream and fruit tea at Mixue, we wandered around Hoa Lu Ancient Town looking for a light afternoon snack. We certainly weren’t planning on pizza while travelling through Vietnam, but Pizza Sen immediately caught our attention.
The restaurant sits right beside Ky Lan Lake, one of the most scenic parts of Hoa Lu Ancient Town. With colourful lanterns hanging overhead, large shady trees lining the promenade, and tables overlooking the calm green water, it was impossible not to stop for a closer look. Sometimes the setting alone is enough to convince you to stay, and Pizza Sen had that effect on us before we even opened the menu.
A Beautiful Spot Beside the Lake
One of the things I loved most about Pizza Sen was its location. While many visitors come to Hoa Lu Ancient Town to admire the architecture or take photographs, this restaurant lets you slow down and enjoy the atmosphere. Sitting beside the lake with a cold drink while watching people stroll past made this feel more like a relaxing afternoon break than just another meal.
The restaurant itself continues that theme. Traditional Vietnamese-inspired architecture blends surprisingly well with a modern pizzeria. The biggest surprise inside is the pair of enormous wood-fired ovens shaped like guardian faces. They are impossible to miss and instantly become the centrepiece of the restaurant. Watching the chefs stretch dough and slide pizzas into those blazing ovens adds a bit of theatre while you wait for your food.
Ordering Something Different
The menu offers a surprisingly large selection of pizzas, fried chicken, and drinks. We decided to share a medium half-and-half pizza so we could try two different flavours in one meal.
Our choices were the Pizza Bo Han Quoc (Korean Bulgogi Pizza) and the Pizza Xuc Xich Xong Khoi (Pepperoni Pizza).
The Bulgogi side came topped with seasoned beef, onions, mushrooms, capsicum, and a generous drizzle of mayonnaise. Normally I’m not a fan of mayonnaise on pizza, but here it actually worked. The sweet, savoury beef paired nicely with the creamy topping, creating a flavour that reminded me of Korean-inspired fast food but with a much fresher finish.
The Pepperoni side turned out to be my favourite. The pepperoni slices were easily the thickest I’ve ever had on a pizza. Instead of the thin slices that curl up during baking, these had real substance and a satisfying bite. Combined with bubbling mozzarella and a perfectly baked crust, every slice was packed with flavour.
Surprisingly Light Pizza
What impressed me most was the dough.
Many pizzas leave you feeling full after only a slice or two because the crust is dense and heavy. Pizza Sen was the complete opposite. The wood-fired dough was wonderfully light with just enough chew inside while remaining crisp around the edges. It had the airy texture that good Italian-style pizzas are known for, allowing the toppings to remain the star without making the pizza feel overly rich.
Even after sharing a medium pizza with fried chicken, we never felt weighed down. That alone says a lot about the quality of the dough.
A Familiar Taste from Home
Alongside the pizza we ordered the Shake Cheese Chicken.
The chicken arrived hot, crispy, and generously coated with cheese seasoning. The first bite immediately brought back memories of the cheese powder used in the Philippines called Cheesemiss. That nostalgic cheesy flavour instantly made the dish even more enjoyable.
Each piece remained juicy inside with a crisp coating that held onto the seasoning beautifully. It was simple comfort food done very well and paired surprisingly well with the pizza.
To wash everything down, I enjoyed a can of Bia Saigon Lager while the family opted for iced tea, making it the perfect late afternoon snack overlooking the lake.
More Than Just Pizza
Pizza Sen isn’t trying to be an authentic Italian restaurant, nor is it pretending to be a traditional Vietnamese eatery. Instead, it successfully combines international comfort food with a uniquely Vietnamese setting.
The wood-fired ovens, lakeside location and relaxed atmosphere create an experience that’s quite different from grabbing pizza at a shopping mall or chain restaurant. It feels like a destination in its own right, especially if you’re already exploring Hoa Lu Ancient Town.
The prices were also reasonable considering the location and generous toppings, making it a good option for families or travellers looking for something familiar after several days of local Vietnamese cuisine.
Final Thoughts
Travelling often leads you to unexpected favourites, and Pizza Sen became one of ours during our stay in Ninh Binh. We stopped only because we wanted a quick snack, yet we ended up enjoying one of the best pizzas of the trip.
The light wood-fired crust, incredibly thick pepperoni slices, flavourful Korean bulgogi topping and nostalgic cheese-coated chicken all came together beautifully. Add the relaxing lakeside setting and the impressive wood-fired ovens, and you have a restaurant that’s memorable for far more than just its pizza.
If you’re spending time around Hoa Lu Ancient Town and feel like taking a break from Vietnamese food without sacrificing atmosphere, Pizza Sen is well worth a visit. Sometimes the best travel discoveries are the ones you never planned.
Pizza Sen Ninh Binh
Address: 01 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, Phố Cổ Hoa Lư, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Vietnam
Phone: +84 987 591 326
Website: https://www.phocohoalu.com/en/pho-co-hoa-lu (Pizza Sen is located within Hoa Lu Ancient Town.)
