Gung Ho Race to the Finish to Become First Ever Three-Time Pizza Cup Champions

The slices have been eaten and the fine people of Beijing have voted and this year, it's a familiar face that has been propelled once again to the top of the pizza pile: Gung Ho, making the first winner to have ever won three times in the competition's six-year history.

That means commiserations to La Pizza who have nevertheless shown an extremely strong showing in this year's close race, a result that sees them attain their best standing ever (compared to landing fifth previously).

Gung Ho went all-in this year, launching a strategic voting campaign among their followers buoyed by a strong presence at the Pizza Fest back in October, where they showed off some of their newest innovative combos as well as kept kids and adults alike rapt with interactive games.

The win helps the New Zealand-hailing restaurant regain their crown from 2014 and 2015, putting them back on top and proving that their innovative formula is still working for the Beijing public.

In a recent interview the Beijinger conducted with Gung Ho owner Jade Gray, he had this to say about how the restaurant strives to keep customers coming back: “Every part of the experience is fresh. That includes the box, the decor, the playlist ... In Beijing, people really appreciate substance, they like to keep things simple, and really appreciate authentic experiences. You can’t bullshit Beijing people.”

That also means a focus on constant evolution and a menu that has scored big with vegans and even adherents of the keto, paleo, and gluten-free diets, releasing a few of the city's only pizzas to align with these strict dietary requirements and demonstrating that the team isn't shy when it comes to experimenting in the kitchen. Meat eaters, however, have long espoused Gung Ho's take on the Beijing-by-way-of-Xinjiang classic in the form of their mouthwatering lamb chuan'r pizza.

Perhaps most importantly in a world increasingly ravaged by the effects of climate change and plastic waste, Gung Ho have long been champions of the environment. Their unwavering determination to be both eco-friendly and friendly on the palate culminated in the restaurant received B Corp status at the end of 2016, making Gung Ho the third ever company to do so in China. Since then, they have continued to hold their annual Earth Day event as well as organize walks to the Great Wall for trash pick-ups.

All in all, these factors make Gung Ho a worthy three-time champion of our Pizza Cup and reflects their ongoing motivation to provide an experience that is healthy, tasty, and guilt-free. That effort certainly hasn't been lost on you guys.

Results breakdown

With the final results in, Gung Ho secures its spot as one of only four different champions to win the cup in the six years we've held the annual poll:

• Gung Ho! (2018)
• Pie Squared (2017)
• Bottega (2016)
• Gung Ho! (2015)
• Gung Ho! (2014)
• Kro's Nest (2011)

*No contests were held in 2012 or 2013.

Making for a Final Four that looks a little something like this:

1. Gung Ho
2. La Pizza
3. Bottega
4. The Local

There are also two new members who have been added to the Delicious Dozen: Q Mex enters this year at #8 (previously 17th) and Pizza Saporita, which ended last year at #19, comes in 10th. The two displaced Pyro Pizza (previously #10) who just missed the cut at #13 and Lido favorite Ramo, previously 11th, who got knocked to 15th.

Therefore, the final Top 12 for 2018 is:

1. Gung Ho (previously #5)
2. La Pizza (previously #7)
3. Bottega (previously #2)
4. The Local (previously #12)
5. Annie's (previously #6)
6. Pie Squared (previously #1)
7. Eatalia (previously #3)
8. Q Mex (previously #17)
9. Great Leap Brewing #45 (previously #9)
10. Pizza Saporita (previously #19)
11. Kro's Nest (previously #8)
12. Tube Station (previously #4)

Stats breakdown

For this final vote, we asked you the best excuse for not eating pizza. While most of you cited dieting as a reason, many others responded that there is in fact no good reason for avoiding pizza.

Some of the more creative responses for not having pizza included:

1. Being a horrible person
2. Death
3. Fear of circles
4. Broke 
5. I’ve just eaten my weight in hot pot
6. Lobotomy
7. My cat has died
8. The volume of my backside
9. Madness

We also asked you in a sentence or less to describe what you saw in this photo:

While a few of you were attracted by the sight (one of you calling it the ultimate hangover breakfast), the vast majority of you found the image repulsive. A few of the responses include:

• A crime against humanity
• Cardiac arrest on medium crust
• Heresy
• Something as horrible as the crucifixion and the OJ Simpson trial combined
• My arteries’ worst nightmare
• Obesity on a plate
• The decline of western civilization
• The devil's work
• The Beijinger Pizza Cup winning pizza for 2018
• An appropriate Tinder profile pic of my country, Meiguo

Final rankings

And with that, we're simply left to gander at the near-100 competitors and their rankings for this year's competition. Thank you everyone who voted and we look forward to seeing next year's competitors come back swinging for another stab at the mighty Pizza Cup. Farewell, and happy eating!

1. Gung Ho
2. La Pizza
3. Bottega
4. The Local
5. Annie's
6. Pie Squared
7. Eatalia
8. Q Mex
9. Great Leap Brewing #45
10. Pizza Saporita
11. Kro's Nest
12. Tube Station
13. Pyro Pizza
14. Papa John's
15. Ramo
16. Yummy Box
17. Paddy O'Shea's 
18. Pizza Marzano 
19. Tavola
20. Xian at East, Beijing 
21. Mao Mao Chong 
22. Domino's 
23. La Villa 
24. Lievito
25. Tiago 
26. The Veggie Table 
27. Lily's American Diner 
28. Lakers 
29. Tribe 
30. Pizza Hut 
31. Legend Beer 
32. NBeer Pub 
33. Pizza Factory 
34. Stuff'd 
35. VSports 
36. Luga's Villa 
37. Eudora Station 
38. The Rug 
39. Fellas 
40. Grandma's Kitchen 
41. Le Fromager de Pékin 
42. Tim's Texas BBQ 
43. Bocca Della Verita 
44. Nasca Cafe 
45. Mrs Shanen's / Green Cow Cafe 
46. Pizza by LMPlus 
47. Mio, Four Seasons Hotel 
48. 1st Floor 
49. Scott's Family Ristorante Italiano 
50. Andy’s 
51. Joe’s Bar & Kitchen 
52. QS 
53. Mr Pizza 
54. Assaggi 
55. Pizza Buona 
56. Flypizza & Hoodakdak Chicken 
57. Peter Pan 
58. Panda Brew 
59. Nine Road Pizzeria 
60. Buddy Bar 
61. PBD Pizza Bar 
62. Fratelli Fresh 
63. Via Roma, Kempinski Hotel 
64. 789 (A-Life) 
65. Radici 
66. Peiping Machine 
67. Pizza Now 
68. Bene 
69. Uno Bar & Grill 
70. Passby Bar 
71. Red Rose 
72. Charlie's 
73. Max Pizza 
74. Mix's Italian Grill 
75. Four Ace 
76. Botany 
77. Leos Pizza 
78. Elisa's 
79. Jazz-Ya 
80. Prego, Westin Financial Street 
81. Casalingo 
82. Kitchen Igosso 
83. Agrilandia 
84. Hisewel Brew-pub 
85. Pizzagram 
86. Loft Eatalicious 
87. Yun Brew 
88. Blufish 
89. Pinvita 
90. Whale's Pizza 
91. Miss Pizza 
92. Byone 
93. Jushi Pizza Just in Time! 
94. Atta BJ 
95. Ebeiguo 
96. BK's Tavern 
97. Pomona 

Images: Uni You, the Beijinger