The 5 Best Foods in Epcot
Psst! Don’t let your kids in on the secret: going to Disney World can be about more than just collecting autographs from their favorite characters and hopping between roller coasters, it can also be a culinary adventure that leads you around nearly corner of the Earth. Once you’ve successfully worn out your most prized possession (your children!), walking through the kingdoms and splashing in countless pools, take them along to experience the foods in Epcot, where a few bites can open more than just their tastebuds, but their world view, too. Though they’ll enjoy that you’re allowing them to have several sweets and not-so-healthy meals, you will also be introducing them to food traditions in Italy, Japan, France and countless others.
Here’s what to order when you nibble your way through Epcot:
Italy: Tiramisu, Cannoli or Gelato
Remember back on your honeymoon when you and your partner were newlyweds and you spent lazy afternoons sipping wine on the Italian coast before picking up some gelato before heading back to your resort? Though you probably can’t just wear your bathing suit to stop by the vendors in the Italy pavilion, you can close your eyes and pretend you’re kid and responsibility-free as you enjoy a bite of decadent desserts. Tutto Italia offers just about anything your sweet tooth craves – from layered tiramisu to filled-to-the-brim cannoli. While the kiddos are lapping up their gelato, we suggest picking up a glass of white Italian wine and toasting to the life you’ve built together.
France: Napoleon Cake, Croissants, Eclairs and More
Your children likely won’t say ‘Oui! Oui!’ to escargot, but when you stroll past Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, we bet you can entice them with some sugary sweets. This French-inspired bake shop offers croissants, eclairs and mousse, all treats you can depend on to give your little ones a sugar high. And if you’re less in the mood for something that packs grams-upon-grams of sugar, pack a polo to throw over your tank top and have lunch at Les Chefs de France. It overlooks Epcot’s recreation of French streets, allowing your kiddos to imagine they’re dining out in Paris. With white table cloths, flowers on each table and an ambiance that takes you to Europe instantly, you might even find yourself relaxed.
Norway: School Bread
Never heard of ‘school bread’? Consider yourself warned, because as soon as you take a bite out of this must-taste in the Norway Pavilion, you’re going to have make a pit-stop for another serving. What it it? Pretty simple, yet mouth-watering: a cardamom bun is filled with custard and then topped with icing and toasted coconut. Though it’s definitely on the sweeter side, you’ll find it less sugary than some of the other European dishes. For a heavier meal, have breakfast or lunch at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, where tradition reigns first. Your whole family will feast on the ‘Taste of Norway’, including Scandinavian seafood, cured and sliced meats, imported cheeses, and if you fancy, a Norwegian meatball dish called Kjøttkake.
China: Vegetable Egg Roll
If you’re in a hurry but need a quick pick-me-up, consider stopping by the Joy of Tea kiosk in the China pavilion, which will have a wide variety of tea for you and your partner, while your kids can indulge in a Chinese-inspired slushy. However, if you have the time and the appetite, check out The Nine Dragons Restaurant, which has about anything your heart – and tummy – desires in chinese food. Here, you can practice using chopsticks as you taste noodles, egg rolls and many other traditional Asian dishes.
Japan: Kakigori or Sushi
Bare with us here: we realize your children might quickly turn their noses up to the idea of icky raw fish, but the earlier you introduce their tastebuds to this delicacy, the more complex their palettes will become. Kabuki Cafe in the Japan pavilion offers fast and tasty sushi selections, including easy-to-stomach California roll, delicious Shrimp or Salmon Temari and others. Once you congratulate your kids on expanding their menu horizons, reward them with the syrupy-sweet ‘kakigori’ – a traditional dessert that’s a favorite of Japanese children. Though basically a snowcone, it comes in a slew of flavors and you can add condensed milk to make it truly Asian.
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