Review of Teppan Edo Dinner
A recent visit to Walt Disney World included dinner at the Japanese Pavilion in Epcot. I couldn’t resist putting together a review of Teppan Edo while I satisfied my craving for sushi.
Be Prepared to Make New Friends
One fact is indisputable: people are nicer at Walt Disney World. That’s why when we were seated at a table with two other parties, I wasn’t worried about encountering hungry, mean-spirited patrons whose sole purpose was to fill up on hibachi and get out.
We were seated half-circle style with two lovely families from upstate New York and New Jersey. I’m not usually one for striking up conversations with strangers, but our shared home states sparked a talk that lasted all dinner long!
Dinner and a Show


Credit: Maria Salerno
Before I get to the sushi review, I want to start with the main event that made Teppan Edo famous: hibachi. After choosing from beef, chicken, and/or shrimp, a Japanese-born chef brings out piles of the raw ingredients that will be turned into your dinner right before your eyes!
Everyone at the table enjoyed watching the chef’s masterful skills- a display of knife-tossing, spatula spinning, and an onion volcano! The parents of the child at our table were thrilled to have the distraction which leads me to an important point: this is a child-friendly restaurant. If you’re hoping for a dinnertime distraction so you can enjoy your meal in peace, this is a great option.
The Hibachi


Credit: Maria Salerno
Let’s get to talking about the good stuff: the food! First, the chef made a pile of noodles and veggies and doled out portions to each person who ordered from the hibachi menu.
The noodles were cooked to a good texture and the vegetables were added at just the right moment, so they weren’t soggy from over-cooking.


Credit: Maria Salerno
While everyone enjoyed their noodles, the meats were cooked on the tabletop grill. You can request your meat to be pulled off the grill whenever it’s cooked to your taste!


Credit: Maria Salerno
Sushi
Finally, the moment I had been waiting for- sushi! I ordered the volcano roll minus the sauce. The sushi roll was made up of salmon, avocado, and cucumber. The fish and accompanying ingredients were super-fresh, but I wanted more fish.
The cucumber and avocado portion heavily outweighed the fish, thus the flavor suffered. The taste was not as balanced as it should have been, which was disappointing since the ingredients were so high-quality.


Credit: Maria Salerno
A lovely couple from Upstate New York sat to my left. The husband opted for the hibachi and the wife ordered a volcano roll with the sauce.
Bites of sushi were stacked high and the hot ‘lava’ sauce was poured over the top. This dish truly did look like a volcano! My jaw must have been on the floor because this very kind woman offered me a piece to try.


Credit: www.yelp.com
The sauce completely changed the entire dish. The warm spicy flavor of the sauce completely masked the fish-vegetable ration that had stuck out so poignantly in mine.
The Verdict?
I wish there had been more fish in my roll…and that begins and ends the critique portion of my meal at Teppan Edo! Frankly, everything we were served here that night was delicious. Starting from the drinks and edamame all the way through to the entrée course, everyone at the table enjoyed their food!


Credit: Maria Salerno
The ‘show’ aspect of the preparation was great, the wait staff the most polite, and although the meal is prepared right in front of you, we never felt rushed or like we had to eat quickly to keep up with the chef’s quick moves.
I will certainly be back to Teppan Edo in the near future. Now my only task is to find another group willing to accompany me to a Japanese restaurant… any takers?
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