The Japan pavilion isn’t our favorite country in the World Showcase just because of the amazing Mitsukoshi Department Store—the pavilion is also known for its great food, even during the many festivals that take place each year. So, let’s head over to the booth for the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays and see what they have on the menu for 2020!

Menu for Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Food:

• 🆕 New Year Celebration Soba: Buckwheat Soba Noodles in Hot Dashi Soup with Shrimp Tempura, Fish Cake, and Chopped Green Onion – $7.50
• Chirashi Sushi Tree: Sashimi-grade Tuna, Salmon, Ikura and Yellowtail with Vegetables decorated on a bed of Rice – $6.00
• 🆕 Ichigo Mont Blanc Tart: Strawberry and Bavarian Cream-filled Tart sprinkled with Konpeito – $7.00

Note: The New Year Celebration Soba returns this year with a shrimp tempura, instead of vegetable tempura.

Beverages:

• 🆕 Ichigo Milk Boba: Cranberry and Yuzu Cream Drink with Japanese Calpico and popping Strawberry Boba Pearls – $5.25
• Sapporo Draft Beer (4.9% ABV) – $4.25 (6 oz) / $8.50 (12 oz)
• Tsubaki Whiskey Sour: Plum Wine with Whiskey, Cranberry Juice, Sugar and Lemon – $7.75

The Ichigo Milk Boba returns this year with cranberry and yuzu cream drink instead of strawberry cream drink

Photos of Menu Items for Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

*NEW* New Year Celebration Soba: Buckwheat Soba Noodles in Hot Dashi Soup with Shrimp Tempura, Fish Cake, and Chopped Green Onion – $7.50

This was a large serving. The broth is salty and has a good miso flavor. There are plenty of noodles, which taste as expected—if you’ve never had soba at any of the festivals (or at a Japanese restaurant), they’re made with buckwheat, giving them an earthy, hearty flavor compared to most other noodles. There’s also nice-sized piece of shrimp tempura right in the middle.

The only other accompaniments are two large pieces of fish cake, which is a traditional ramen topping, and some green onions. We wish there was a little more, like carrots or mushrooms. It wasn’t bad though, and we would have it again if we’re in the mood for a hot soup.

Chirashi Sushi Tree: Sashimi-grade Tuna, Salmon, Ikura and Yellowtail with Vegetables decorated on a bed of Rice – $6.00

This was one of the most highly anticipated dishes of the fest, mainly because of how adorable (and yes, Instagrammable) it is. You have short-grain rice topped with thinly sliced flecks of lettuce, then layers of fish, masago and ikura (fish eggs), plus strips of paper-thin cucumber, all topped with an amazing volcano and dynamite sauce.

The whole dish is presented with short-grain sticky rice pressed to look like a Christmas tree and topped with a kawaii carrot star.

If you like sushi, the flavors here are amazing, and it isn’t a bad price given how unique it is. Our only complaint is that the fish to rice ratio is somewhat off here. I know it’s for presentation, but you inevitably end up with more rice than fish… although the sticky rice is delicious on its own.

If we had to choose between this or the soba, we’d be hard pressed to pick just one. With the soba, you’re getting slightly more food for your money, but I can never pass up a cute dish like this. My take is, just get both.

*NEW* Ichigo Mont Blanc Tart: Strawberry and Bavarian Cream-filled Tart sprinkled with Konpeito – $7.00

This was a generic tart you could get from any grocery store.

The cream had a strong artificial strawberry flavor, and the crust was hard and dry.

We were surprised and delighted to see a whole strawberry in the center. That was the highlight of the dish.

*NEW* Ichigo Milk Boba: Cranberry and Yuzu Cream Drink with Japanese Calpico and popping Strawberry Boba Pearls – $5.25

This is a very cranberry-forward drink that mixes well with the yuzu. The popping bobas are a nice touch. It’s light, fruity, and very sweet.

The whipped cream on top didn’t even melt, somehow—it stayed intact the entire time. The only drawback is that it’s small, but this would be great for kids.

Sapporo Draft Beer (4.9% ABV) – $4.25 (6 oz) / $8.50 (12 oz)

Sapporo describes their Premium Beer as “a refreshing lager with a crisp, refined flavor and a clean finish. The perfect beer to pair with any meal and any occasion.”

Tsubaki Whiskey Sour: Plum Wine with Whiskey, Cranberry Juice, Sugar and Lemon – $7.75

This Tsubaki whiskey sour tastes like its components: you get the familiar burn of the whiskey, followed by the flavors of sweet plum. Still, we’d only say that this was about okay.

It’s a strong drink, stronger than many we paid well over $10 for at the festival, so at $7.75 for a nearly full plastic chalice, we weren’t too disappointed.

Location of Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen is located adjacent to the Japan pavilion on the World Showcase Promenade. Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen is number 14 on the map below.

What was your favorite item from the Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen? Let us know in the comments below!