初嚐巨型蟹味棒披薩 / Trying a Giant Crab Stick Pizza for the First Time
一般披薩最常見的配料，不外乎是香腸、火腿、培根、燻雞、海鮮或各式蔬菜，然而，戲法人人會變，巧妙各有不同，因此才有瑪格麗特披薩、波隆那臘腸披薩或夏威夷披薩等口味的披薩，前一陣子，在某次聚餐中，某位朋友提到他在日式超市買到的巨型蟹味棒披薩，超巨大蟹肉棒搭配薄皮餅皮，加上剛剛好的調味，常常一出爐就被客人買光，他也是好不容易才吃到，這番談話，引起我的興趣，讓我對蟹味棒披薩有一點期待。
因此，我找了一天特別去買看看，結果，果然蟹味棒披薩已經被賣光了，當天不會再上架了，不過，現場的店員說，這款人氣披薩可以預訂，只要預訂的時間到的時候，再去拿取即可，以免撲空，所以，我第二次，就事先預訂，終於，可以一飽口福，拿到披薩的時候，第一個感覺就是份量比想像中更有視覺衝擊，巨型蟹味棒烘烤過後散發出淡淡的海鮮香氣，切開之後，起司還帶著牽絲的效果，蟹味棒則保持著柔軟的口感，而蟹肉棒吃起來帶點甜味，讓人忍不住一口接一口。
其實，蟹肉棒不是用螃蟹製作的，裡面完全沒有真正的蟹肉，主要成分是魚漿、澱粉、大豆油、糖、螃蟹風味的人工香料以及紅色食用色素，我平常只有在吃火鍋時，才會吃到蟹味棒，火鍋用的蟹味棒是小條的，一口就可以入喉，而蟹味棒披薩所採用的蟹味棒是巨型尺吋，巨型蟹味棒的視覺上衝擊，就讓我印象深刻，這款披薩有意思的地方，不只是在味道上，而是它帶來的話題性，當我吃著蟹味棒披薩時，更可以理解到朋友為何會推薦這款披薩，現場的巨型蟹味棒披薩也有賣切片披薩，一片要價近七十元台幣，比較下來，果然還是一次買一片披薩比較划算，因為一片披薩只要三百九十九元台幣，可以切成八片。
When it comes to pizza, some of the most common toppings include sausage, ham, bacon, smoked chicken, seafood, and all kinds of vegetables. But there are always new ways to put a twist on a familiar dish. That is why we have so many different kinds of pizza, such as Margherita, Bologna sausage, and Hawaiian pizza. A while ago, during a get-together with some friends, one of them mentioned a giant crab stick pizza he had bought at a Japanese supermarket. According to him, it came with an enormous crab stick on top of a thin crust, with just the right amount of seasoning. Apparently, it was so popular that it often sold out as soon as it came out of the oven. He had actually been lucky enough to get one after trying several times. Hearing him talk about it definitely caught my attention, and I became curious about what a crab stick pizza would actually taste like.
However, one day, I specifically went to the supermarket to give it a try. Unfortunately, when I got there, the crab stick pizza was already sold out, and the staff told me they would not be making any more that day. However, one of the employees told me that since it was such a popular pizza, I could place an order in advance and pick it up at a specific time. That way, I wouldn't have to worry about making a wasted trip. So, the second time around, I placed an order ahead of time. Finally, I got my chance to try it. When I picked up the pizza, the first thing that caught my attention was its size. The giant crab stick on top made a much bigger visual impact than I had expected. After being baked, it gave off a light seafood aroma. Once I cut into the pizza, the melted cheese stretched nicely, while the crab stick remained soft and tender. It also had a slightly sweet flavor, which made it surprisingly addictive. Before I knew it, I had already eaten several pieces.
Actually, crab sticks aren't made from real crab at all. They don't contain actual crab meat. They are mainly made from fish paste, starch, soybean oil, sugar, artificial crab flavoring, and red food coloring. Normally, I only eat crab sticks when I have hot pot. The ones used for hot pot are usually small enough to eat in one bite. The crab stick used on this pizza, however, is on a completely different scale. Its giant size alone makes quite an impression. In fact, I think that's one of the most interesting things about this pizza. It's not just about the taste; it's also about the novelty and the conversation it creates. As I was eating the crab stick pizza, I could finally understand why my friend had recommended it to me. It is definitely the kind of food that makes you want to take a picture before eating it and tell your friends about it afterward. They also sell individual slices of the giant crab stick pizza at the store. One slice costs almost NT$70. Compared with that, I think buying a whole pizza is actually a better deal. A whole pizza costs only NT$399 and can be cut into eight slices. So, if you're curious enough to try it, you might as well order a whole one and share it with your friends.