The Rich History Behind This Italian Street Food
Piadina's story begins in Romagna, a historic region spanning Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy. Dating back to medieval times, farmers and shepherds created this simple bread using basic ingredients they had on hand: flour, water, salt, and fat. Originally considered "poor man's bread" because it required no expensive yeast or ovens, piadina was cooked on terracotta stones over open fires. What started as peasant food has evolved into a beloved Italian street food enjoyed by everyone from students to celebrities.
From Ancient Grains to Modern Palates. At Piadini Italian Streats, we honour this rich heritage while adapting it for contemporary tastes. Our piadina dough traces its roots to those ancient grains cultivated by medieval farmers, but we've refined the recipe to create the perfect balance of:
Crispy exterior with beautiful char marks
Soft, tender interior that's never dry
Flexibility to hold generous fillings without breaking
Authentic taste that transports you to the streets of Rimini.
Piadina vs Pizza vs Wrap: What's the Difference?
Piadina vs Pizza While both are Italian, they're quite different:
Pizza: Yeast-leavened, baked at high heat, crispy or chewy crust
Piadina: Unleavened, griddled, soft and pliable, enriched with olive oil
Piadina vs Regular Wraps Not all wraps are created equal.
Tortilla wraps: Thin, bland, often mass-produced
Piadina: Thicker, flavorful from olive oil, handcrafted daily, has character
Piadina vs Focaccia/Flatbread
Focaccia: Thick, fluffy, yeast-leavened, oil-topped
Piadina: Thin-to-medium, dense, unleavened, oil is mixed into dough
The key difference? Piadina is made to be folded and filled, creating the ultimate handheld Italian meal. It's sturdy enough to hold hearty fillings without falling apart, yet tender enough to bite through easily.
What Goes Inside a Traditional Piadina? In Romagna, piadina is typically filled with:
Classic Savoury Fillings: Squacquerone cheese - A creamy, spreadable cheese from
Romagna Prosciutto di Parma - Italy's finest dry-cured ham
Arugula (rocket) - Peppery greens for freshness
Stracchino or stracciatella - Soft, mild cheeses
Mortadella - Bologna's famous cured meat
- Gourmet Options:
- Fresh mozzarella or stracciatella
- Grilled vegetables
- Triomelt™
- Sausages Porchetta (roasted pork)
- Sweet Piadina:
- Nutella with crushed pistachios
- Gorgonzola cheese with honey and walnuts
- Fresh fruit with mascarpone
- Where to Find Authentic Piadina in Singapore
- Until recently, finding authentic piadina in Singapore was nearly impossible. That changed when Piadini Italian Streats opened at 111 Somerset #01-K8, becoming Singapore's first dedicated piadina specialty store.
- Why Choose Piadini for Your Italian Wrap Experience?
- 🇮🇹 Handcrafted Daily - Every piadina is made fresh in-store, not pre-made or frozen
- 🧀 Premium Italian Ingredients - We import authentic Romagna cheeses like squacquerone, plus Prosciutto di Parma, mortadella with pistachio, and buffalo mozzarella
- ⚡ Quick Takeaway Lunch - Perfect for busy professionals in the Orchard area seeking a gourmet lunch that doesn't compromise on quality or speed 📍 Convenient Location - Right at Somerset MRT, ideal for office workers, shoppers, and tourists
- 🌟 Authentic Recipes - Our recipes honor traditional Romagna techniques while incorporating modern flavour combinations
- Popular Piadina Options at Piadini Somerset
- For First-Timers:
- Classica Romagnola - The authentic experience with squacquerone cheese, arugula, aged Prosciutto Parma ham, buffalo tomatoes, olive oil, and Parmigiano
- For Adventurous Eaters: Napoli Black Pearls - Truffle-infused piadina with champignon black truffles, squacquerone, Prosciutto Parma ham, and truffle balsamic cream
- For Vegetarians:
- Tangy Milano Duomo - Basil pesto, squacquerone, buffalo mozzarella, grilled aubergines, and black truffle vinegar cream
- For Bold Flavors:
- Sicilian Savoury Trio - Seared beef pastrami, signature TrioMelt™ cheese blend (Gorgonzola, mozzarella, stracciatella), caramelized onions, and balsamic truffle cream with EVOO and Cracked Black Peppers with Parmigiano Reggiano
- How to Eat Piadina Like an Italian
- Here's the authentic way to enjoy your piadina:
- 1. Eat it with your hands - No cutlery needed! It's designed as handheld street food
- 2. Fold, don't unwrap - Keep it folded to contain all those delicious fillings
- 3. Enjoy it warm - Piadina is best eaten fresh off the griddle
- 4. Pair with a drink - Italians might choose sparkling water, wine, or espresso depending on time of day
- Pro tip: If your piadina has delicate greens like arugula, eat from the top down to enjoy them at their freshest!
- Can You Reheat Piadina? Yes! If you can't finish your piadina or want to enjoy it later:
- Best Method: Dry Skillet
- 1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat
- 2. Place piadina on the skillet (no oil needed)
- 3. Heat for 30-60 seconds per side until warm and slightly crispy
- 4. Remove delicate greens before reheating and add them back after
- This method preserves the authentic texture and brings back that fresh-griddled taste.
- Why Piadina is Perfect for Singapore's Food Culture
- Singapore loves quick, quality food that doesn't compromise on flavour or authenticity. Piadina checks all the boxes:
- ✅ Fast casual dining - Ready in minutes, no sit-down required
- ✅ Portable - Perfect for Singapore's grab-and-go lifestyle
- ✅ Customizable - Options for meat lovers, seafood fans, and vegetarians
- ✅ Instagram-worthy - Beautiful presentation with gourmet fillings
- ✅ Satisfying - Filling enough for lunch without being heavy
- ✅ Unique - Something different from the usual sandwich or wrap options in Orchard
- Is Piadina Healthy? Compared to many quick lunch options, piadina can be a healthier choice:
- 1. Made with simple, recognizable ingredients
- 2. No preservatives or artificial additives when handcrafted fresh
- 3. Customizable to your dietary needs
- 4. Packed with vegetables, quality proteins, and good fats from olive oil
- 5. No deep frying
- At Piadini, we offer vegetarian options and are working on vegan and gluten-free versions to accommodate all dietary preferences.
- The Future of Piadina in Singapore
- As Singapore's first piadina specialty store, we're not just serving Italian wraps- we're introducing a new food category to Singapore's vibrant culinary scene.
- Our vision is to make piadina as recognized and loved as pizza or pasta, while maintaining the artisanal quality and authenticity that makes it special. Whether you're an Italian food enthusiast, a curious foodie, or simply someone looking for a quick, delicious lunch near Somerset MRT, we invite you to discover why piadina has been Italy's beloved street food for centuries.
- Visit Piadini Today
- Ready to taste authentic piadina for yourself?
- 📍 Location: 111 Somerset #01-K8, Singapore 238164
- ⏰ Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 12:30 PM - 8:30 PM (Closed Sunday - Monday)
- 🚇 Nearest MRT: Somerset (3-minute walk)
- 📱 Order: Available on Grab, Deliveroo, Foodpanda and Pan Pacific Hotel Groups for Italian food delivery in Orchard
- Experience Singapore's first authentic piadina - handcrafted daily with premium Italian ingredients, just like they make it in Romagna since the medieval times!
