Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays is the wintertime food and wine feast that celebrates holiday traditions from around the world. Like the other Epcot festivals throughout the year, a plethora of outdoor kitchens offer limited-time dishes and sips throughout the World Showcase. I recently spent some time at my favorite WDW theme park for a holiday trip around the world (in my mouth at least!). Here are my top 5 must-taste dishes from Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays. . . Grab a fork, and let’s dig in!
1. Chirashi Sushi Tree from Japan
This one is almost too pretty to eat! But it tastes just as great as it looks. Sashimi-grade tuna, salmon, Ikura (salmon caviar), yellowtail and vegetables sit on a bed of rice – topped off with a carrot star and wasabi crema ornaments. I’ll definitely be getting this little guy again!
2. Potato Latkes from L’Chaim!
L’Chaim is located between the Morocco and France pavilions, and it has one of the best potato latkes I’ve ever had!
These potato pancakes tasted like they were made from scratch —it brought me back to childhood (it was a total Ratatouille moment!). Warm and crispy, and topped with sour cream and herbs, these make for a great comfort food. If you’ve got picky eaters with you, then look no further. The Potato Latke (sans salmon and capers) have the kids stamp of approval on the festival menu.
3. Chengdu Spicy Street Fries from China
When you think of China, fries probably aren’t the first thing that you think of. I love that the China pavilion always has an inventive dish for all of their festivals.
These fries were perfectly crisp, hot and delicious. They are topped with Chinese five spice, chopped peanuts, peppercorns, chilies, cilantro and scallions. . . perfectly complementary flavors!
Be warned, they are pretty spicy; a slow heat builds with each bite. The good thing is they’ll keep you warm through those random Florida cold fronts!
4. Rillette de Saumon from France
While you stop and enjoy the storytelling from Pére Nöel, the Salmon Spread with Housemade Bread is a nice quick bite! The chilled spread is made with smoked salmon and dill, and pairs nicely with the warm, buttery and flaky bread. Sometimes I’m reluctant about smoked salmon because the smoke flavor can be overwhelming, but the bread provides a solid counterpoint with its butter flavor.
5. Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl from Germany
You can find this delicious pairing at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen in Germany. The bread bowl is fresh and dense, while the melted cheese sauce is sharp and creamy. It wouldn’t be fondue without dippers, so there are bread bites, marble potatoes, steamed carrots and zucchini to complete the dish. This generously portioned cheese fondue is not to miss! It’s great for sharing, but it’s so tantalizing that you won’t want to!
WDW Passholder Bonus!
P.S. Hey, WDW Passholders! Chip and Dale are this festival’s official mascots, and this new AP magnet set is available now at MouseGear. Pick these up for free by presenting your AP card or MagicBand, along with photo ID.
It’s Disney Vacation Time!
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Let’s Hear From You!
This list was only a small sample of the dishes available at Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays. All 11 pavilions around the World Showcase have special seasonal food and drinks, plus the additional 13 Holiday Kitchens that feature festive fare from around the world. Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays runs through December 30, so be sure to try them before they’re gone!
Have you attended Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays before? What was your favorite dish or drink? Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget your free AP magnet!
