While many people enjoy a good slice of pizza, husband and wife Mark Lee and Aina Ghani have taken that love to another level. What began as a shared curiosity for the craft has evolved into Pizza Duo — a Malaysian-born pizzeria and one of the country’s most exciting names in contemporary Neapolitan pizza.
Their journey began with a birthday surprise — a pizza road trip across Piedmont, Italy — where Mark organised for the couple to dine at pizzerias rated 90 and above on the Gambero Rosso list, Italy’s equivalent of the Michelin Guide. With fewer than 50 pizzerias in the country holding such scores, it became an unforgettable deep dive into the artistry of pizza. “We’d stop at all these pizzerias — some traditionally Neapolitan, some more contemporary — and really dive into the craft just to see what a pizza could be,” Mark Lee, Co-Founder of Pizza Duo recalls.
When the world slowed down during the MCO, that same passion found a home in their kitchen. “We’ve always loved eating pizza, but that’s when we started making our own,” Aina Ghani, Co-Founder of Pizza Duo shares. What began as casual experimentation soon revealed the technical precision required — from dough fermentation and humidity to temperature control. The couple hosted friends for pizza-tasting nights, serving up to ten different creations — a playful prelude to what would later become Pizza Duo’s first pizza counter at Bamboo Hills. Their commitment to authenticity didn’t stop at inspiration — it became education. Over successive summers, Aina and Mark received formal training in Naples, working alongside Italian pizzaiolos to master the true Neapolitan method — from dough hydration to oven precision. Those summers in Italy became the foundation of their technique, transforming passion into practiced craft. Today, that knowledge is infused into everything they create back home in Kuala Lumpur — a meeting point where Italian tradition meets Malaysian flair.
Building on the excitement that began at Bamboo Hills, Pizza Duo The Campus marks the brand’s evolution from a humble counter to a full-fledged flagship — proudly Malaysian-born, pork-free, and alcohol-free. Designed to be warm, welcoming, and family-friendly, the new space embodies the same fire that sparked their journey — reimagined through a broader culinary lens and a deeper understanding of Italian craft. At its heart are two custom-built Stefano Ferrara ovens — making Pizza Duo the first pizzeria in Malaysia to feature a pair of these legendary ovens. Painstakingly handcrafted in Naples and shipped all the way to Ampang, these ovens are celebrated globally for their precision, heat retention, and unmistakable Neapolitan character. They represent generations of Italian know-how — and serve as the beating heart behind every perfect Pizza Duo crust.
At The Campus, Pizza Duo introduces Tutto — an expanded menu conceptualised from their shared love of travel and Italian cuisine, distilled into a collection of comforting mains, handcrafted pastas, and indulgent desserts. Among the highlights is the Spicy Crab Fettuccine, a modern spin on the classic arrabbiata that pairs sweet crab meat with house-made spicy tomato passata — bold yet comforting, a signature Duo twist on a non-traditional favourite. Then there’s the Spiced Duck Rigatoni, featuring duck chorizo mince tossed in a creamy Rosa sauce and finished with stracciatella from Naples — baked to perfection for that indulgent mix of spice and freshness. Other standouts include the Burrata & Pear Salad and Steak with Orzo — each carrying the same heart and curiosity that started it all. Within Pizza Duo The Campus, the outdoor espresso bar aptly named Caffè Duo captures the essence of Italian café life — a place where craft, culture, and conviviality come together. In Italy, barista quite literally means bartender — one who makes and serves drinks — and that versatility is reflected in Caffè Duo’s beverage programme. From the classic espresso to signature Soda Cremosas and Sips, the menu celebrates the art of the modern barista — designed to complement Pizza Duo’s food offerings while evoking the sunshine and spontaneity of an Italian summer.
For Aina and Mark, Pizza Duo isn’t just about pizza — it’s about passion, and the joy of creating something that brings people together. Their journey from Naples to Kuala Lumpur is one of experimentation turned expertise, of Italian tradition reinterpreted through a Malaysian lens. At Pizza Duo The Campus, that spirit burns brighter than ever — proof that for the Duo, the best is always still baking. Experience Pizza Duo at its flagship home in The Campus, Ampang where passion, tradition, and innovation meet on every plate. Stay connected by following their Instagram and Facebook for the latest creations and updates.
