Welcome to an Outdoor Kitchen review for the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, taking place from March 6 to June 3, 2019. This review will focus on Hanami, which is located adjacent to the Japan pavilion on the World Showcase Promenade. Hanami first appeared at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in 2013, and returns for its seventh festival this year.
For our complete coverage of the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, head to our festival landing page at wdwnt.garden.
Hanami at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Menu for Hanami at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Food:
- Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice garnished with Whipped Cream, Berry Sauce Drizzle and Toasted Coconut (V) (KA) – $5.95
Chilled Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-seared Tuna and Wasabi Dressing – $6.50- Karaage with Nanban Sauce: Japanese-style Fried Chicken served on a bed of Shredded Cabbage and topped with a Soy and Vinegar-based Dressing (KA) – $6.25
Chilled Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-seared Tuna and Wasabi Dressing – $6.50Beverages:
*Price per bottle is an average price of the spirit at your local liquor store.
- Kirin Draft Beer (5.0% ABV) – $4.50
- Sayuri “Little Lilly” Nigori Sake ($15/bottle) – $7.50
- “Ichigo Sun” Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail with Sake, Strawberry Purée and Lemonade – $7.00
Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice garnished with Whipped Cream, Berry Sauce Drizzle and Toasted Coconut (V) (KA) – $5.95
The popular Frushi returns with a dish that’s just as pleasant as previous years. We found cantaloupe inside the roll we received. Not only does Frushi taste great, but it looks good too. The sweet coconut rice wrapped around the different fruit made for a crisp and refreshing snack.
Chilled Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-seared Tuna and Wasabi Dressing – $6.50
While this dish certainly looks appetizing, we’d still recommend the seared tuna from The Citrus Blossom over this. The soba noodles were extremely bland and had no taste whatsoever.
Karaage with Nanban Sauce: Japanese-style Fried Chicken served on a bed of Shredded Cabbage and topped with a Soy and Vinegar-based Dressing (KA) – $6.25
The Japanese-style fried chicken sounded good, but ended up tasting overcooked, like it was microwaved or something. It was chewy and definitely not something we’d consider getting again.
*NEW* Kirin Draft Beer (5.0% ABV) – $4.50
According to Kirin Ichiban, their beer boasts an “all malt formula using only the finest two-row barley malt. European noble hops. A distinctively rich flavor, smooth finish, no bitter aftertaste.”
*NEW* Sayuri “Little Lilly” Nigori Sake ($15/bottle) – $7.50
According to True Sake, “this unfiltered sake has a very light nose filled with cream, cherry blossom, and white grape elements. ‘Sayuri’ is a very special Nigori – it is not flashy and not simple – just clean and easy with a semi-sweet appearance and very smooth finish. There is a watery softness that is hard to explain amongst all of the Nigori qualities, but it is not watery! Light and creamy with subtle fruit tones and an overall ‘milkiness.’ If you like it light and easy this brew is for you!”
“Ichigo Sun” Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail with Sake, Strawberry Purée and Lemonade – $7.00
The thing about this cocktail is, with so many good options out there for the festival, this kind of gets lost in the shuffle. It was fine, and definitely sweet, but still not my thing. I’d pass on this.