From University Student to Pizzeria Owner: Ajay’s Journey to Bringing Indian Fusion Food to Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong

At 22, Ajay stepped into his father’s shoes and took over the family pizzeria. His story is a reminder to all of us to take the opportunities already in front of us and grow them into something greater.

Ajay is an Indian entrepreneur, born and raised in Hong Kong. A month ago, he officially took over La Terrazza Pizzeria in Sai Ying Pun, after years of helping out part-time while he was at university.

Running an eatery is never easy, especially with Hong Kong’s high rents and ever-rising food costs. But Ajay followed his own vision and weaved his culture into this fast-paced city, making his pizzeria one of the more distinctive in town. His shop even stays open through the night. As he puts it, “Hong Kong is a fast-paced city, and everything happens so quickly, right? You have to stay active all the time, even at night.”

His Father’s Legacy

Ajay’s father worked as a driver around Sai Ying Pun. Over the years, he came to know every road and every corner, and the rich diversity of the people who live there. That connection to the community gave him the courage to take a leap of faith and open his own restaurant in this small neighbourhood between at Western Street in Central and Western District.

That restaurant has now been open for a decade, welcoming people from all backgrounds and celebrating multiculturalism through food. Today, his son has taken up the torch.

A Close Bond with the Local Community

Although he’s new to the business, Ajay is already deeply involved with the neighbourhood. He offers options that suit the local way of eating, including student menus and combo meals for three to four people. This invites people with different budgets and cultural backgrounds to gather and eat together.

The location helps too. The pizzeria sits near The University of Hong Kong, a multicultural university with many non-local students, as well as two local schools. That means a steady mix of students from all kinds of backgrounds walk through his door, ready to enjoy a good meal.

Fusion Is Cultural Exchange

Food is one of the most powerful forms of cultural exchange. It helps us understand each other’s heritage. For Ajay, adding a fusion touch to the menu, such as butter chicken pizza and pasta or butter paneer pizza and pasta, is inspired by popular fusion dishes in India.

Hong Kongers are always looking for variety and new flavours, so these dishes do two things at once. They honour Ajay’s Indian heritage, and they build a bridge between Hong Kong and Indian food cultures.

To keep that exchange going, the pizzeria also offers discounts during Diwali, Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year and Easter. It turns the restaurant into a meeting place for people of different cultures and faiths, and a reminder of how much we share.

A Message to Fellow Hong Kongers

When we asked Ajay for a final message to our readers, his answer was simple:

“Whenever you eat out at any local restaurant, please leave honest, constructive feedback. For restaurant owners like us, the main goal isn’t just getting higher ratings. It’s receiving genuine insights so we can improve and better serve our community.”

For Ajay, taking over his father’s legacy takes resilience and perseverance. He wants to grow a little every day, and he sees honest feedback from customers as part of that journey.

Visit La Terrazza Pizzeria

So the next time you’re walking through Western Street, Sai Ying Pun, why not stop by La Terrazza Pizzeria? A slice of butter chicken pizza might just give you a brand new perspective on fusion food. You’ll probably be back for more.

Follow La Terrazza Pizzeria on Instagram and Facebook, or order online to taste it for yourself. Supporting small, family-run restaurants like this one is one of the simplest ways to help our community grow.

If you want to learn more about the ethnically diverse small businesses we feature, get in touch at info@guidefong.org. Stay tuned for our next update!