China, one of the 11 World Showcase countries and an original participant in the inaugural Festival in 1996, returns for the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, beginning July 15th, 2020.
Menu for the China Marketplace at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Food:
- Chicken Dumplings with Chinese Slaw – $4.95
- 🆕 Mongolian Beef Bao Bun – $6.75
- 🆕 Crispy Fried Shrimp served with Chengdu Street Fries – $7.50 (ADDED SEPTEMBER 25TH)
Beverages:
- Jasmine Draft Beer – $5.00 for 6 o.z., $8.50 for 12 o.z.
- 🆕 Tsingtao Lager (4.7% ABV) – $4.75 for 6 o.z, $8.25 for 12 o.z. (ADDED SEPTEMBER 25TH)
- Happy Peach: Peach Liqueur and Dark Rum – $11.50
- Byejoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice – $11.00
The Mongolian Beef Bao Bun and Tsingtao Lager previously appeared at Shanghai Holiday Kitchen at the 2019 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
Photos of Menu Items from the China Marketplace at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Chicken Dumplings with Chinese Slaw – $4.95
The only real difference with these dumplings in past years is the addition of Chinese slaw on top. Does that warrant nearly $2.50 a dumpling? Probably not, but they’re nearly bursting with chicken and pair well with the dipping sauce provided. There’s absolutely no value to be found in this dish, however, and your money is better spent at your local Chinese take-out, where you can get a dozen of these potstickers for the same price.
*NEW* Mongolian Beef Bao Bun – $6.75
Served with a fortune cookie, this dish contained some well-seasoned meat, but the bao bun itself lacked an airy quality. It was rather rubbery, so if you plan to get this one, dive in as soon as you can before the bun settles in the Florida heat.
*NEW* Crispy Fried Shrimp served with Chengdu Street Fries – $7.50
The fires are basic crinkle-cut fries and weren’t salted at all. They were fresh and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The shrimp had the correct texture. There wasn’t much breading and it wasn’t as bold of a flavor as we were expecting from the color of the sauce. It was good quality seafood though. It was cooked well and not chewy. It seemed fresh. Though it’s advertised as “crispy” it really wasn’t, because it sits in the sauce. The sauce seemed like a sweet chili sauce. It was tangy with a tiny bit of zing, and a nice ginger note. The sauce does have a head that builds, so for the more sensitive palate, we suggest getting a bubble tea or having another drink on hand to help. This was a good dish, though a little under-seasoned. Had the fries been salted, it would have been better. It didn’t have as much flavor as we were expecting, so we were underwhelmed and disappointed at the price point. We would have felt better about it had it been cheaper.
Jasmine Draft Beer – $5.00 for 6 o.z., $8.50 for 12 o.z.
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.
*NEW* Tsingtao Lager (4.7% ABV) – $4.75 for 6 o.z, $8.25 for 12 o.z.
Untappd says: “Tsingtao Beer has a pleasant aroma and a well-balanced taste. It has high-malty flavor and well-hopped character.”
Happy Peach: Peach Liqueur and Dark Rum – $11.50
The “Happy Peach” did not make us happy. It tasted like a watered-down Tropicana Twister peach drink with a bit of Margaritaville dark rum and peach schnapps. And that was before the ice melted and watered it down more. It was drinkable and refreshing enough in the heat, but disappointing.
Byejoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice – $11.00
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.
Location of the China Marketplace Booth at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The China Marketplace is conveniently located directly across from the China Pavilion in World Showcase Promenade.
More Information
- REVIEW: China Returns with a “Happy Peach” Drink for Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2020
- REVIEW: China Debuts New Chengdu Street Fries & Crispy Shrimp at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
- REVIEW: China at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2019
- All of our Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival coverage is available from our landing page at https://wdwnt.wine!
- Previous coverage:
- REVIEW: China at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2019
- REVIEW: China at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2018
- REVIEW: Bon Bon Chicken Skewer, Marco Boba, and More at Lotus House at the 2020 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
- REVIEW: Magic Boba Pearls and More at The Painted Panda for the 2020 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
- REVIEW: Chengdu Spicy Street Fries and More at Shanghai Holiday Kitchen at the 2019 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
