The Japan marketplace is always one of our favorites during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Not only are the dishes delicious year after year, but the menu always seems to get refreshed for each festival. Being offered this year is a spicy sushi roll, a traditional Japanese rice bowl, the fan-favorite Teriyaki Chicken Bun, and plenty of alcoholic options.

Menu for the Japan Marketplace at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Food:

• 🆕Fire Taiko Roll: Sushi Roll with Spicy Tuna, Cucumber and Pickled Daikon Radish served with Spicy Sauce – $8.00
• 🆕Beef Wa-Gyu Don: Traditional Japanese Rice Bowl with American Wagyu Beef over Steamed White Rice – $9.75
• Teriyaki Chicken Bun: Steamed Bun filled with Chicken, Vegetables, and Teriyaki Sauce – $7.50

Beverages:

• 🆕Sake Passion Cocktail – $8.75
• 🆕Moon on the Water Sake ($20/bottle) – $15.00
• 🆕Brew Hub Momo Amber Ale, Lakeland, FL – $5.50 for 6 oz., $10.00 for 12 oz.

Photos of Menu Items from the Japan Marketplace at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

*NEW* Fire Taiko Roll: Sushi Roll with Spicy Tuna, Cucumber and Pickled Daikon Radish served with Spicy Sauce – $8.00

This is basically Americanized sushi, but we’ve had worse. Still, there is way too much radish, compared to the ratio of the fish. The texture’s also too crunchy. it doesn’t overpower the flavor, but it just doesn’t match the consistency that should be in this roll.

Rounding out the “too much” parade is the excessive amount of cucumber. It comes with a spicy mayo, which tasted a lot better with the roll. It helps make it more tolerable. Over all, it’s not bad, but it’s just not a standout item.

*NEW* Beef Wa-Gyu Don: Traditional Japanese Rice Bowl with American Wagyu Beef over Steamed White Rice – $9.75

This tastes like the food from Katsura Grill. It has a sweet and salty flavor. The beef is like high-quality McDonald’s hamburger meat, over some well-cooked white rice. Without reservation. we can say that we actually really like this dish. It’s definitely not traditional Japanese food, but it tastes good.

Teriyaki Chicken Bun: Steamed Bun filled with Chicken, Vegetables, and Teriyaki Sauce – $7.50

Inside of this delicately prepared bao bun is a good amount of shredded chicken tossed in a sweet teriyaki sauce. The menu description says there’re vegetables in there, but there’s far more chicken than vegetables—and that’s a good thing! There’s a lot of value here in the relatively large portion for the price, especially in EPCOT Festival terms. It’s a tasty and safe bet for this year’s festival.

*NEW* Sake Passion Cocktail – $8.75

This drink is tart and sweet but it’s really pleasant. 

The flavors hide the alcohol well.

It’ll probably put you on the floor if you drink a few of them, but it’s super enjoyable.

*NEW* Moon on the Water Sake ($20/bottle) – $15.00

From Vine Connections: “A fruity nose of lime and melon with bold hints of fennel, white pepper and allspice. The flavors gravitate to ripe cantaloupe and anise while the minerality from the soft water is evident in the finish.”

Location of the Japan Marketplace at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

The Japan Marketplace is logically located adjacent to the Japan Pavilion on World Showcase Promenade. You can find it at number 23 on the map above.

The 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is running from July 27 through November 18.

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