China, one of the 11 World Showcase countries and an original participant in the inaugural Festival in 1996, returns for the 2018 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, taking place August 30 – November 12, 2018.
Menu for the China Marketplace at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Food:
- 🆕 Xi’an Pancake with Beef *NEW* – $6.75
- 🆕 Chicken Dumplings with Chinese Slaw *NEW* – $4.95
- Beijing Roasted Duck Bao Bun with Hoisin Sauce – $6.75
- Black Pepper Shrimp with Garlic Noodles – $6.75
Beverages:
- Mango Bubble Tea with Assam Black Tea and Milk (Non-Alcoholic) – $6.75
- Jasmine Draft Beer – $4.00
- Happy Peach: Peach Liqueur and Dark Rum – $8.95
- Kung Fu Punch: Vodka and Triple Sec – $8.95
- Byejoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice – $10.50
- 🆕 Honeydew Bai Jiu Cocktail: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit and Honeydew Syrup *NEW* – $10.50
Photos of Menu Items from the China Marketplace at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
*NEW* Xi’an Pancake with Beef – $6.75
Pictures can’t do justice to how large this pancake really is. There’s quite a bit of beef filling the middle, too! The beef is tender and well cooked, but perhaps a little bland. The entire dish almost feels worth the money against other portion sizes at the event, taking up nearly the entire boat. Difficult to recommend, however, given the nearly $7 price tag, but it’s not bad.
*NEW* Chicken Dumplings with Chinese Slaw – $4.95
The only real difference with these dumplings in past years is the addition of Chinese slaw on top. Does that warrant nearly $2.50 a dumpling? Probably not, but they’re nearly bursting with chicken and pair well with the dipping sauce provided. There’s absolutely no value to be found in this dish, however, and your money is better spent at your local Chinese take-out, where you can get a dozen of these potstickers for the same price.
Beijing Roasted Duck Bao Bun with Hoisin Sauce – $6.75
There’s a decent portion of roasted duck, packed with slaw and sesame sticks, in the bao bun. Ultimately, the dish feels more bun than substance—although the duck is tasty with the sweet hoisin sauce. The new Xi’an Pancake is the same price, and we think a better use of your money.
Black Pepper Shrimp with Garlic Noodles – $6.75
This dish isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but it’s a solid option. You get a pile of garlic noodles with a few shrimp on top that have been slightly peppered. Nothing overly spicy, although you’ll probably need a breath mint after all the garlic noodles. It’s a hefty portion for the price, and feels worth the money, but it’s nothing ultimately unique. The best reason to get this dish is to soak-up some of the alcohol in your system to help keep you going.
*NEW* Jasmine Draft Beer – $4.00
Surprise! This one’s not brewed in China—or even made there! In fact, it’s brewed locally in Florida with a slapped-on Jasmine name, sort of like how local brewery Crooked Can made a unique draft for Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs. It’s a straightforward, unfiltered wheat beer with a small floral hint. Very drinkable, and we believe this is the only spot to actually get this beer.
Kung Fu Punch: Vodka and Triple Sec – $8.95
The China pavilion has two things going for it: Nine Dragons, and heavy pours. Whether it’s the drinks from The Joy of Tea booth or their festival booth, the pours are always large and in charge. The Kung Fu Punch highlights and exploits this by being a drink that tastes very alcohol-forward and feels boozy. A $9 proposition to have a solid drink isn’t a horrible deal, especially at Epcot.
Byejoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice – $10.50
This is one of the most refreshing drinks of the festival, with subtle hints of the featured flavors. Nothing is overpowering, and the alcohol pour is relatively heavy. It’s a solid choice.
*NEW* Honeydew Bai Jiu Cocktail: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit and Honeydew Syrup – $10.50
There’s a recurring theme of new cocktails being overly sweet this year, and the Honeydew Bai Jiu Cocktail is no exception. There’s an overall flavor of sweet honeydew that masks any and all alcohol that might be in this drink. Typically the pours in China are large, but this one missed the mark. Go for the Kung Fu Punch instead.
Location of the China Marketplace Booth at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
The China Marketplace is conveniently located directly across from the China pavilion in the World Showcase Promenade.
More Information
- All of our 2018 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival coverage is available from our landing page at https://wdwnt.wine!