Konnichiwa from the Japan Pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT! We decided to head on over to Katsura Grill after popping into the Mitsukoshi gift shop to try out the new yuzu miso wings.
The menu for Katsura Grill has been updated with the new items. The Menchi Katsu Slider has now been added to the menu full time after being a fan favorite during festivals.
As you head up to the restaurant, you’ll find a designated entrance only, with social distancing markers in place in case the line extends outside.
The social distancing markers continue inside to help extend the queue that is already established before you step up to the counter to order.
Plexiglass has been added to the registers that are open, with an opening available for handling transactions and sliding your order through.
The seating inside has been modified following social distancing measures, including the addition of this plexiglass partition between this long table to allow two parties to dine here.
Once you’re ready to leave, you can exit from the designated exit doors leading to the outdoor seating section.
The tables are spread out here with social distancing in mind and can be a really nice place to dine at or just take a break and enjoy the surroundings.
One of the little secrets back here in the Japan Pavilion is the abundance of Koi that you can find swimming around.
And now onto the food, with our thoughts on the new Yuzu Miso Wings. You get six of these chicken wings in an order, costing you $8.50.
They were cooked well, with a nice amount of fried “crunch” to the outer skin. The insides of the wings had a great level of both tenderness and juiciness. Our particular order included 4 flats and 2 drumettes.
The yuzu miso sauce the wings are tossed in is a real delight. The first tastes that come across are very sweet and honey-like, in both flavor and the thicker consistency. A bite with more sauce allows the yuzu citrus flavor to breakthrough, adding a hint of acidity to balance the sweetness. Miso notes are present throughout, but are mild – as is the overall taste of the wings, as unlike more traditional American preparations, the spice is not part of this mix.
The small portion of coleslaw is a nice compliment, though mostly uninteresting on its own, as it contains a slight miso flavor itself but is very subdued. Unlike the wings, the consistency of the coleslaw was slightly runny, though perhaps to be expected from its minimalistic approach. Applying a bit of the slaw to a wing added some nice additional crunch, however, and paired well with the wings.
Overall, considering the price, portion, and excellent and well-balanced flavor of the yuzu miso sauce, we’d be thrilled to say konnichiwa to these wings again!
Will you be stopping by the Katsura Grill the next time stopping by Japan while traveling around the World Showcase? Let us know in the comments!