Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen makes its debut at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which runs from November 27th to December 30th, 2020. “Savor the flavor of fabulous, festive food and beverages from the islands of Hawai‘i.” It’s a holiday take on Hawai’i, a marketplace that has been a mainstay of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
We brought Duffy’s friend ‘Olu Mel all the way from Hawai’i to help us review.
Menu for Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen at the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Food:
- 🆕 Kālua Pork with Okinawa Purple Sweet Potatoes, and Mango Salad – $5.25
- 🆕 Lomi Lomi Salmon with Tomatoes, Onions, Salmon Roe, Yuzu Mayonnaise, and Yucca Chips – $6.00
- 🆕 Haupia: Hawaiian Coconut Pudding with Candied Macadamia Nuts and Coconut – $4.25
Beverages:
*Price per bottle is an average price of the spirit at your local liquor store.
- 🆕 Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale, Kailua-Kona, HI (4.4% ABV) – $4.50 (6 oz) $8.50 (12 oz)
- 🆕 Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL ($30/bottle) – $12.00
- 🆕 Melon Breeze with Spiced Rum – $14.00
The Sparking Pineapple Wine previously appeared at the Hawai’i Marketplace at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
Photos of Menu Items from Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen at the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
*NEW* Kālua Pork with Okinawa Purple Sweet Potatoes, and Mango Salad – $5.25
We loved this! The sweet potatoes were super creamy and the pork had a good flavor.
The greens added a nice crunch. It was a light dish and easy to eat.
*NEW* Lomi Lomi Salmon with Tomatoes, Onions, Salmon Roe, Yuzu Mayonnaise, and Yucca Chips – $6.00
This had a very attractive presentation. The salmon is tasty. The yucca chips are sturdy for scooping, like a salmon poke bowl. There was a little too much lime juice, but it was fresh and not too fishy. Overall, this was good, but our least favorite of the three dishes.
*NEW* Haupia: Hawaiian Coconut Pudding with Candied Macadamia Nuts and Coconut – $4.25
This was light and airy. There’s a vanilla sponge cake on the bottom and then the coconut pudding is on top.
It was very tropical and the sprinkle of nuts on top added a nice crunch to the dessert.
*NEW* Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale, Kailua-Kona, HI (4.4% ABV) – $4.50 (6 oz) / $8.50 (12 oz)
From Kona Brewing Co.: “Big Wave is a lighter-bodied golden ale with a tropical hop aroma and flavor—smooth, easy drinking, and refreshing. The use of caramel malt contributes to the golden hue of this beer, and our special blend of hops provides a bright, quenching finish that makes it a struggle to not grab another one.”
*NEW* Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL ($30/bottle) – $12.00
From Florida Orange Groves Winery: “Our sparkling Pineapple wine offers you and your palate a crisp and refreshing taste of Florida in a bottle. Made from 100% pineapple juice you won’t need to imagine hints of flavors or finishing notes.”
*NEW* Melon Breeze with Spiced Rum – $14.00
The melon breeze was just all right. If you like Midori, you’ll like this.
It’s a little sour, and ours was fairly strong. The melon taste comes purely from the Midori. We can taste the spiced rum and maybe some lemon. It’s a straightforward drink.
Location of Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen is located at the entrance to World Showcase at World Showcase Plaza across from the restrooms and Traveler’s Cafe. It is number 3 on the map below.
