The Painted Panda is a favorite of ours during the International Festival of the Arts, bringing savory food dishes and creative beverage options. Let’s head over and see what’s new on the menu for this year!
Menu for The Painted Panda at the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
Food:
Pork and Water Chestnut Meatballs – $8.50- Sichuan Red Hot Mala Shrimp – $10.50
Pork and Water Chestnut Meatballs – $8.50Beverages:
- “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Boba Pearls (Non-Alcoholic) – $7.25
- Jasmine Draft Beer – $5.00 for 6 o.z., $8.00 for 12 o.z.
- Fortune Cookie: ByeJoe Spirit ($30/bottle), Amaretto, Coconut and Piña Colada Mix – $11.50
- Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, Triple Sec – $11.00
- Sea Butterfly: Butterfly Pea Flower-infused Cocktail with Lychee Syrup, Vodka, Light Rum and Magic Boba Pearls – $12.50
Photos of Menu Items from The Painted Panda at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
*NEW* Pork and Water Chestnut Meatballs – $8.50
This was a giant, flavorless ball of meat. It was really bland inside with the only flavor coming from the sauce. It’s a total waste and we don’t recommend ordering it.
*NEW* Sichuan Red Hot Mala Shrimp – $10.50
This was way too expensive for two shrimp. They’re cooked well and provide enough spice, but for too high a price.
The noodles are a standard ramen with sesame oil flavor, accompanied by a spicy chili mayo. Don’t eat the green stuff.
“Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Boba Pearls – $7.25
This milk tea is fantastic. It’s sweet, but not overly so, and the boba pearls provide a licorice-like flavor to counter the milk.
Jasmine Draft Beer – $5.00 (6 oz) & $8.00 (12 oz)
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.
Fortune Cookie: ByeJoe Spirit ($30/bottle), Amaretto, Coconut and Piña Colada Mix – $11.50
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.
Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, Triple Sec – $11.00
This is a debated item. This beverage is similar to past festival drinks with familiar flavors from China. It’s a bright, semi-sweet, flavorful drink. with a nice fruity flavor. Although only described on the menu as “Vodka and Triple Sec,” it clearly has an orange flavor, though some in our crowd thought it tasted like peach. This was a crowd favorite.
Sea Butterfly: Butterfly Pea Flower-infused Cocktail with Lychee Syrup, Vodka, Light Rum and Magic Boba Pearls – $12.50
If you have never had a butterfly pea flower… then you’re probably like the rest of us. But don’t be daunted! This floral-tasting cocktail is refreshing and not as overly complicated as the description makes it out to be. It’s clean, crisp and hits the spot on a warm Florida day.
Location of The Painted Panda at the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The Painted Panda is conveniently located directly across from the China pavilion in the World Showcase Promenade. You can find it at number 6 on the map below.
What did you think of the Painted Panda? Let us know in the comments below!
We thought the meatballs were great. This was food that I (Chinese) grew up eating. At first we were really skeptical and not expecting much. However, after trying it we thought that the flavor was surprisingly good and authentic. I’ve eaten thousands of these suckers throughout my life and the texture and flavor would not be out of place at any restaurant.
I do agree that the flavor is light, but that is how it is. We liked it so much we bought three more to bring home. We did find it odd to be served on a bed of mashed taro, but that was pretty good too.