Are you a fan of Japanese food? If so, you’ll probably want to check out the Japan booth at the Food and Wine Festival.
But, we will say this year the booth in the Japan pavilion wasn’t our favorite. In fact, we walked collectively loving only 1 item.
Quick sidenote from 2021: we noticed on one evening that even though this booth was listed to remain open until the end of the night, it started closing about 20 minutes before the rest of the park. The reason for closing early remains unclear, but, either way, if this is on your to-do list, make sure you visit well before closing time just in case (as you should with everything else that’s at the top of your list).
Here’s everything you need to know about the Japan booth, including reviews, photos, and our must-trys.
Overview
Location: Near the Japan Pavilion
Nearby booths: Hops & Barley, Tangierine Café, Greece
Nearby seating locations: Standing tables in the Japan pavilion, inside and outside of Tangierine Café, in the American Adventure pavilion (outside or possibly inside Regal Eagle where there are tables and A/C)
Not to miss: Yuzu Lemon Drop
Japan Booth Menu
Food
GF = gluten friendly, PB = plant-based, KF = kid friendly
Beverages
2022 Japan Menu
Review Disclaimer
When it comes to our reviews and ratings, we thought it would be helpful if you had a better understanding of our personal preferences (what we like and don’t like), along with if there are any dietary restrictions.
Here’s a breakdown of not only who is doing the reviews, but a little more information about what each of us likes and doesn’t like food and drink-wise.
Shannon (Founder)
- Likes: Almost everything
- Dislikes: Beers that taste “stinky,” anything too salty
- Dietary Restrictions: None
Heather (Editor)
- Likes: Strong flavors, anything made out of potatoes, white wines, all beers (especially stouts and wheat beers), doesn’t mind sweet (plain fruit is NOT a dessert. Ever.)
- Dislikes: Things that are too spicy, anything with a bone still in it, cocktails with too much whiskey or tequila (thanks to having too much fun in college), some red wines, most IPAs
- Dietary Restrictions: Shellfish allergy
Felicia (Content Manager)
- Likes: Mezcal, savory drinks, stouts/lagers/wheats/sour beers, vinegar, tart/sour items, chocolate, fresh vegetables and fruits, red meat
- Dislikes: Ciders, sweet drinks, anything milky or creamy, chili powder, cumin, weirded out by textures, mayonnaise, saucy/wet food, cream-filled pastries, artificial fruit flavors, cooked fruits, frozen items (drinks or ice cream)
- Dietary Restrictions: None
Allyson (Managing Writer)
- Likes: Cheesecake (the more sweets, the better), anything mint, hazy IPAs and wheat beers (big beer fan), tofu and most Impossible dishes, mushrooms
- Dislikes: Wine (only likes a few dry ones), cream ales and stouts/porters, super sweet cocktails, floral flavors (lavender, rose), anything almond-flavored, things that are too spicy, olives, meat and seafood (see below)
- Dietary Restrictions: Vegetarian (personal choice)
Photos & Reviews
Teriyaki Chicken Bun
A steamed bun filled with chicken, vegetables, and a teriyaki sauce.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Good proportions of bun to filling. Unfortunately, didn’t like the taste of the filling at all.
Heather: The filling in this bao bun was really good, but I worried I was eating my son. Thanks, Pixar.
Felicia: A really doughy bun with a mild chicken teriyaki stuffed inside. Not great.
Takoyaki
Octopus, green onion and cabbage bites topped with Tonkatsu sauce, bonito flakes and nori.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Mushy.
Felicia: The flavor isn’t bad but this is pure mush. Like uncooked cake batter. And that is very off-putting.
Spicy Salmon Donburi
Spicy salmon with sushi rice, shiso leaf, red tobiko and rice pearls.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Definitely spicy but also definitely mushy.
Heather: I don’t have anything nice to say so I’m not going to say anything at all.
Felicia: Oddly warm and very fishy. Lot of spice. Can’t recommend it.
Yuzu Lemon Drop
A tart cocktail made with vodka, yuzu, and lemon juice garnished with a lemon jelly.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Fantastic pop of lemon.
Heather: I loved this! So crisp and refreshing. Fantastic drink option.
Felicia: I’m conflicted here. I like the flavor I think and has a refreshing lemon to it. I love yuzu and that flavor is strong. But, somehow reminds me of tanning lotion.
Allyson: For a lemon drop, this is good. I love the lemon flavor.
Hana Fuji Apple Sake
This Fuji Apple sake by Hana is refreshingly tart with a slight apple flavor.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Light and refreshing. Easy to drink.
Heather: Very strong apple taste! Generous serving size, too. Sake isn’t my favorite but this is one of the better ones I’ve had.
Felicia: Very sweet and tastes like apple.
Allyson: I hate sake and I hate this.
Moon Blossom Pilsner
Moon Blossom Pilsner from Orange Blossom Brewing Co from Orlando, Florida.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Light and just a hint of the orange.
Heather: Odd flavor – hear me out, but it tastes like the candy coating on Sixlet candy. For REAL.
Felicia: Heather said it tastes like a Sixlet and it does. Tastes like the candy coating on them. Artificial sweet flavor. Can’t recommend.
Allyson: I wanted to like this but it almost tastes like a cream ale to me.
Food & Wine Booth map
Stay tuned for our 2023 Food and Wine booth map!
Until then, check out all the booths from the 2022 Food and Wine Festival on the map below, including our favorite overall booths, favorite items at each booth, and locations for indoor seating.
Food & Wine Festival Booth Menus, Reviews, and Photos
Stay tuned for our 2023 Food and Wine booth links, until then you can check out our individual booth pages from last year’s festival that include photos, reviews, and ratings.
Check them out below!
New for 2022
Returning Booths In 2022
Additional Locations
Food and Wine Festival data
Stay tuned for our 2023 Food and Wine data, until then you can check out our data from last year’s festival.
Want to see all our reviews in 1 spot?
Clicking on the link below will allow you to copy our data into a Google Sheet that you can then use for your Food & Wine planning purposes.
Read more about the Food & Wine Festival
Be sure to check out the following links to our Epcot Food and Wine Festival posts, where we provide all kinds of information, tips, and much more.
Here’s everything we put together in 2022. Stay tuned for 2023 information!
- A New Restaurant Will Replace Tokyo Dining in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion This Summer
- 2023 Epcot International Festival of the Arts Dates Announced
- 2023 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Dates Announced
- 2023 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Dates Announced
- 2022 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Menus Are Here