Mickey Tart and Karaage Chicken – Best of Epcot Flower & Garden 2019

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The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is going on now, and is running from March 6th to June 3 in 2019. With around 20 Outdoor Kitchens including four that are all-new this year, there’s a lot of new food to try. Today we’re discussing our two favorite new dishes this year, as well as some of our returning favorites.

One of the first new dishes we tried is the “Mickey Tart” from Flavor Full Kitchen Hosted by AdventHealth, located between World Showcase and Future World West. This dish is adorable and perfect for Instagram! Shaped like Mickey already makes it a good choice (since we all know food shaped like Mickey Mouse just tastes better).

The dish is kind of across between a dessert and a savory sandwich. The peanut butter mousse is whipped and sweet, the strawberry jam is light and very sweet, but the tart shell itself is more like a multigrain bread than a pie crust. It’s not at all sweet, and even has sunflower seeds like you would find in the crust of multigrain bread. The ears are topped with strawberry boba balls as well, but other than for show, they don’t really add anything to the treat.

The Mickey Tart makes a great snack or a good dessert, and will be super fun for kids to pick up and eat like an open face peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And if you’re a fan of peanut butter treats you have got to try it just for the velvety smooth peanut butter mousse.


Our other new favorite is the “Karaage with Nanban Sauce” from Hanami in the Japan pavilion. This dish is described as “Japanese-style fried chicken served on a bed of shredded cabbage and topped with a soy and vinegar-based dressing.

The chicken tastes amazing, and there was a lot of it in my serving. Even a person who doesn’t normally like soy sauce or soy dressings in my party tried it and liked it. The chicken is soaked in a sweet and savory sauce that’s not overpowering. And while the cabbage is uncooked and lightly dressed with sauce, it goes great with each bite of chicken. Don’t skip this one, because it is a lot better tasting than you may think.

As for our returning favorites, everything from La Isla Fresca in World Showcase Plaza is absolutely perfect. The “Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewers” have remained my favorite dish three years running and the “Jamaican-braised Beef” is a satisfying and filling option. Even the “Tropical Freeze” beverage here is a nice choice, especially in the Florida heat, and pairs nicely with the food.


I know people online give this one a hard time for not looking like the picture or for being too small, but I enjoy the “Toasted Pretzel Bread” from Bauernmarkt in Germany. Sure, there’s not too much to it, but the combination of black forest ham and melted Gruyere cheese on a pretzel roll just hits the spot for me.

And finally, I think it’s no secret that everything from Northerm Bloom in Canada are great options as well. I’m partial to the “Seared Scallops” with green beans, but be warned they’re dressed in a pretty sour vinaigrette. If you ask they may be able to serve the sauce on the side, but I really like the way it compliments the dish. The “Beef Tenderloin Tips” have a yummy mushroom cream sauce, but this year our serving was a little small. I wouldn’t let that stop you though because the flavors are on point. And it wouldn’t be the Flower and Garden Fest for me without my “Maple Popcorn Shake!”

Those are our top picks this year. Let us know in the comments what you like most! If you’re looking to book a vacation to Walt Disney World, request your free vacation quote from Elizabeth, our vacation planning partner at Destinations in Florida. She can help you book the best on-site room as well as ticket packages and dining for your trip — and the best part is, her services are free!


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