Special thanks to Christina Relacion, who writes Scenes From the T and recently contributed several photos for the food blog’s Best Restaurants for Thanksgiving post. She and her husband put together this great guest post about Tokyo Dining in Epcot’s World Showcase!
Have you ever gone to a place numerous times and then found a hidden gem? Tokyo Dining inside the Japan pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase is one of those diamonds in the rough.
My husband and I are WDW veterans and hadn’t even ventured inside the walls of the pavilion until our most recent trip. But being huge sushi fans it amazed us that we had never had an experience at Tokyo Dining.
Judging by the low number of crowds in the pavilion, it seemed that others were also not as adventurous to wander past the iconic pagodas, koi ponds and faux Shinto shrine gate. But inside the pavilion’s massive structures are the most mouth-watering and delectable sushi, sashimi and other Japanese delights.
![Gate Outside of Japan Pavilion](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/CRelacion-japan-1024x768.jpg)
Gate Outside of Japan Pavilion
When we first entered the second-story restaurant in the Mitsukoshi-owned building, Cast Members dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos greeted us. They all graciously welcomed us into the restaurant making us feel like visitors to someone’s home instead of guests at a theme park eatery.
We were swiftly taken to a table overlooking the World Showcase lagoon. The view was spectacular! We mentally took note that this would be a fabulous spot to enjoy Illuminations in the future. A large patio wraps around the second-story giving you an enhanced view of the evening fireworks show.
![Dining Room at Tokyo Dining](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Yacht-Epcot-Teppan-TokyoDining-JapanFG-Volybl-Beach-007-1024x768.jpg)
Dining Room at Tokyo Dining
Tokyo Dining’s menu is comparable to other sushi restaurants. It includes the typical California roll (avocado, cucumber and crab wrapped in seaweed paper and rice) and other favorites such as Spicy Tuna and Salmon rolls, and tempura (battered covered vegetables or meat). One of the first things we noticed were the prices were right in line with other sushi restaurants we have visited (prices begin around $4).
![Tokyo Dining Sushi Chefs](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Sushi-Chefs-1024x768.jpg)
Tokyo Dining Sushi Chefs
The menu has enough variety that we were each able to order something different, whether it was a selection of sushi and sashimi or pre-selected meals such as a Bento box.
My husband, Brett, enjoyed a Spicy Philadelphia Roll (a spicy tuna mixture with cream cheese, green onions, and sesame seed, $7.50 for a roll of 5-6 pieces) , yellowtail sashimi (fish with no rice, $9.95 for 5-6 pieces) and salmon roll (salmon wrapped in seaweed paper and rice, $6 for a roll of 5-6 pieces). The Spicy Philadelphia Roll was a pleasant surprise of hot and cool contrasting tastes. The cream cheese nicely followed the tang of the spicy tuna mixture. This roll is one we had never found at any other sushi restaurant.
![Sushi Selections](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Sushi-see-blog-post-for-exact-names-1024x768.jpg)
Sushi Selections
On the other hand, I enjoyed a Bento box. A pre-selected concoction of beef teriyaki, seaweed salad, tuna sashimi and tempura vegetables served with Miso soup (a clear broth with tofu) and a Japanese-style side salad with ginger-infused dressing, all for $23.50. I was a bit apprehensive of the seaweed salad, but it was one of the best parts of the meal. It had a sweet flavor with a little crunch.
![Bento Box](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Bento-Box-1024x768.jpg)
Bento Box
![Miso Soup](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Miso-Soup-1024x768.jpg)
Miso Soup
To end the meal, our server brought out a special First Anniversary dessert for us. The chocolate-ginger cake (normally $5.50) is comprised of layers of ginger-flavored cake with chocolate mousse and a dark chocolate glaze. It was the perfect ending to our meal.
![Chocolate Ginger Cake](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Chocolate-Ginger-Cake-1024x768.jpg)
Chocolate Ginger Cake
Although some people are apprehensive about eating raw fish, there are many items on the menu for vegetarians and those who are picky eaters. A great rule of thumb: tempura-battered items are generally fried. You can also select sushi rolls that are made of items such as sweet potato, cucumber, asparagus and other tasty veggies. For sushi rookies, we recommend trying something such as tuna for your first raw experience due to its taste and texture.
The service and quality at Tokyo Dining is some of the best in WDW. Cast members go out of their way to make your experience pleasurable. If you decide to make this your first sushi experience, you won’t be disappointed.
Great write up from Christina! Everything she said is absolutely true.
As previously mentioned, we ate at Tokyo Dining for the first time in May. Great food, great service and great atmosphere. The sushi is almost on par with the California Grill sushi.
I think it has become a new top 5 for me.
I am very glad to read this review! I am one of those people who doesn’t like the idea of eating raw fish, but if there are plenty of other options, I’ll have to give this place a try in the future! Nice photos, too!
Hey AJ…Thanks for letting Christina do this guest blog! Great photos of the food Christina! I have only ever eaten at Teppan Edo in the Japan Pavilion. Hubby and I usually hit up Kimono’s in the Swan for Sushi but after your review, I see that the prices in the park are more reasonabe. Will have to check it out next time we get a hankerin’ for sushi
I would like to make reservations but can not find a phone # . Our friends have made reservations on the 24th of nov at 6:30for 9 people. Can some one call me or give me the phone # for reservations. There conf # 392387120741 my phone is 1-302-218-3821
Thank you.
HI Frank! Disney Food Blog is not an official Disney website, and I’m not a Disney employee, but I CAN tell you that all you need to do is call 407-WDW-DINE and you should have no problem making reservations. You can also make a reservation online.
Does anyone know- if you are on the Disney Dining plan you can pick an entree for dinner, well, since many of the rolls are between four to seven dollars, do you get to pick a couple of rolls to count as an entree? or are you only allowed to pick 1 roll for an entree which could only be maybe 5$, and that would not be worth it. I called Disney and they did not have the answer for me, they said I would have to go to the restaurant to find out their policy.
Alissa — Your best bet is to call Disney dining again and ask for the direct number for Tokyo Dining. They should be able to give that to you so that you can call the restaurant directly. If that doesn’t work, call a Disney resort and explain the situation to see if they’ll give you the direct number for Tokyo Dining.
I did ask for the # to the restaurant and they said they do not have a # and they dont take calls. That many restautrants dont have numbers or take calls.
Alissa — in my experience that hasn’t been the case 🙂 I’d call a different agent or contact a Disney resort directly to see if you can get the number for Tokyo Dining. In the meantime, I’ll ask over on facebook if anyone has any experience with Tokyo Dining and the DDP!
I know I’m late to the party, but I thought I’d add this bit of information for those who are afraid of raw fish.
Sashimi is actually raw. Sushi itself only refers to the rice preparation. It’s not that hard to get a whole meal of sushi in which none of the items are actually raw. Just avoid those that are called “Sashimi”. This is true outside of Disney as well.