The Good News: There is so much amazing food at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!
The Bad News: It’s almost impossible (and really expensive) to try it all.
I’ve sampled my fair share of food at the event through the years – so here’s a list to help you with your planning…
The Jen Cook Top 10 Food & Wine List:
- Kalua Pork Slider with Sweat and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise – Hawaii
Hawaii’s Kalua Pork Sider at Epcot
I have to admit, I was NOT interested in trying this dish. I’m not a huge pork fan, I hate pineapple and the word chutney makes me want to hurl. But this little thing is simply delicious. It’s the perfect sandwich on a HOT Florida October day. It’s light and sweet and I think I could eat 10 in just one sitting.
- Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie – Ireland
Ireland’s Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie at Epcot
This is a must eat each visit. It’s like a traditional Shepherd’s Pie but with seafood instead of beef. The mashed potato on top is smooth and delicious. The seafood chunks are big and juicy. It may not be a lotto look at, but you will not leave disappointed. The other big win of Ireland is the beer. And dessert…but we’ll get to that later.
- Karaage Hand Roll (Crispy Chicken Breast with Sushi Rice and Spicy Mayonnaise) – Japan
Japan’s Karaage Hand Roll at Epcot
I’m a sushi lover and a chicken lover. The one thing I’m constantly disappointed by at sushi restaurants is how they mix the two. I’ve not found a good chicken roll. Until now. The mayo is spicy – so be sure to have your Ichiban Beer on hand. It’s a bit messy, but totally worth it. The flavor combination is really amazing.
- Crispy Shrimp Taco – Mexico
Mexico’s Crispy Shrimp Taco at Epcot
I’m a sucker for anything with shrimp. Personally, it has to be warm shrimp. When I eat cold shrimp I get this feeling that food poisoning is lurking and increasing with each bite. I also grew up with beef tacos. I was so sheltered I had no idea there was such a thing as having the option of steak, chicken, fish or shrimp on a taco. This new discovery is eye-opening to me!
This shrimp taco is great. It is served with Chipolte-lime Mayo and Cabbage served on a flour tortilla.
The mayo is spicy…at least I thought so, but also really creamy. The cabbage was a little much – I had to pick some of it off just to taste the shrimp. Overall though, it was great. - Pork Potstickers – China
China’s potstickers at Epcot
I had to include these for my children. They literally would only eat potstickers for all meals if I would let them. But I won’t…mean mommy. These potstickers are exactly what you would expect. Soft outer wonton with delicious pork in the middle. The thing I was most surprised by though, was the sauce. I have no idea what was in it, but it was amazing. I actually licked the plate a bit when my boys were done eating them.
- Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll – Germany
Germany’s Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll at Epcot
This food wins the award for the funniest looking. It’s almost impossible to look at this food without laughing. The bratwurst comes with a spicy mustard. My husband had to fight off my children for the actual sausage. The pretzel roll was exciting and a great combination with the brat. The roll itself was a bit on the dry side. But just a bit – there was definitely no left overs from this German family – plus with a few beers to wash it down…no complaints!
- Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream – Poland
Poland’s Pierogie with Kielbasa
There is no way to stop to complete a trip to Food & Wine for our family without a trip to Poland. We are a pierogie family. The potato pierogie with the onions and sour cream are the perfect foods. I just wish there were more of them on the plate.
- Schinken Nudel – Germany
Germany’s Schinken Nodel at Epcot
This was a really interesting dish, and we really didn’t know what to expect. I still don’t exactly know what it was, except to say that it was delicious.
This pasta gratin with ham and cheese was kind of like a quiche. It had some egg, noodles, cheese to it maybe? No idea. I had a bite and couldn’t stop eating. My oldest son came over, took a bite, and then ate the rest. He loved it and asked my husband to make it at home. So we’ll have to see if we can figure it out. We will have to get this again for sure! - Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Lotus Root Chips – Hawaii
Hawaii’s Tuna Poke at Epcot
This is one my husband insisted be on the list. I didn’t want to try it due to my fear of raw food and food poisoning. (I have many weird food things…) While I was confident that Disney wouldn’t try to poison me, I just couldn’t do it. But he RAVED about this dish. The chunks of tuna were big and amazingly good.
The seaweed salad I did try. It had a great flavor and the chip on top was also good. Hawaii is really a great new addition to the Food & Wine lineup. - Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Ganache – Ireland
Ireland’s Chocolate Lava Cake at Epcot
This is what I treat myself with each visit to Food & Wine. While I do think the serving size has shrunk from last year it’s still my favorite thing. This little warm chocolate cake is amazing. When you cut into it with a fork, the inside is lava. Almost like warm, raw cake dough…..my favorite. The size is just perfect that you don’t even think of it having calories, which is just fine with me.
