Are you trying to figure out which EPCOT Japanese restaurants are the best for your trip?
EPCOT attracts foodies from around the world to its theme parks with an extraordinary gastronomic scene.
The food offerings at EPCOT encompasses everything from traditional Japanese dessert to a delicious platter of authentic Japanese sushi.
In this article, I will guide those of you who are in pursuit of scrummy Japanese dishes.
Here is a list of the best EPCOT Japanese restaurants.
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1. Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya (Table-Service Restaurant)
It is hard to make an EPCOT Japanese Restaurant list without Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya. It is the go-to place for pescatarians and foodie lovers alike.
Housed in a traditional Japanese building, the diner sits on top of the popular Mitsukoshi Department Store.
Sprawled across the second floor, it shares space with yet another sought-after Japanese restaurant EPCOT, Teppan Edo (scroll down for more on Teppan Edo).
Ambiance at This EPCOT Japanese Restaurant
Boasting clean, dim-lit interior and minimal furnishing, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya has an upscale bar-like feel.
The cool recessed lighting relies on the views of the World Showcase Lagoon.
The large windows offer views of a pictorial scenery similar to what you might see in Tokyo.
You can admire the sight outside or/and watch the chef create masterpieces at the Sushi Bar.
Inside Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is also a screen that features iconic Japanese sites and beautiful seasons of this country that transports you to the Land of the Rising Sun.
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Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya Dining Menu at EPCOT
The EPCOT restaurant serves delicious surf appetizers like Kara-age Chicken, edamame, and clam miso soup.
Perhaps, the unmissable dishes include the Tokyo Negi Roll that comes with green onion tempura rolled with tuna tataki and topped with jalapeño aïoli, shredded carrot, and sliced jalapeño.
This one has a smokey flavor combined with the spiciness of the jalapeño aïoli and crunch of the shredded carrot.
I can’t believe I have finally tasted some incredible sushi at EPCOT! You don’t want to skip this dish.
The turf options include the likes of the Grilled Wagyu Gyoza and my favorite, the Ishiyaki-Sukiyaki Rice.
It’s one of the best things to to eat at EPCOT!
The Ishiyaki-Sukiyaki Rice comes with grilled strips of beef in hot stone bowl at your tableside along with spinach and rice in a sweet garlic sauce.
There are vegetarian dishes here as well.
The beverage selection brims with options like martinis, vodka, juices, frappes, and gin cocktails. Talk about an adult Disney trip going right!
And you’ll want to try the Violet Sake. It tastes like an adult Jolly Rancher!
Best Food at Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya:
- Ishiyaki-Sukiyaki Rice: Grilled strips of beef in hot stone bowl at your tableside along with spinach and rice in a sweet garlic sauce
- Grilled Wagyu Gyoza 3 pc: Pan fried dumplings filled with smoky A5 Japanese wagyu beef
- Rock Shrimp Tempura: Crispy shrimp tossed in creamy yuzu sauce
- Kara-age Chicken: Japanese-style fried chicken flavored with garlic and ginger and served with lemon
- Tokyo Negi Roll: Green onion tempura rolled with tuna tataki and topped with jalapeño aïoli, shredded carrot, and sliced jalapeño
- Tokyo Sunset: Sunset-colored cocktail with pineapple, coconut rum & orange juice with a splash of grenadine
- Violet Sake
You can check out their complete menu here.
How Much Does it Cost to Eat at Shiki-Sai?
The food prices are on the higher side between $8 to $120. However, you can expect to pay around $35 to $40 per person.
Do You Need Advanced Reservation?
Being popular, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya gets houseful quickly It is best to book in advance.
Final Verdict on Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya Review
Apart from its cultural authenticity, delicious surf-n-turf menu, and great prices, the restaurant is also known for its top-notch service.
Cast Members here bring Tokyo to EPCOT with their Japanese hospitality.
I rate Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya an 9/10 and recommend you get ready to bow.
2. Katsura Grill (Counter-Service Restaurant)
Perched atop a slight hill, the Katsura Grill EPCOT sits at the very back of the Japan Pavilion and is almost a hidden gem.
Come here, not just to taste the scrummy dishes, but also to enjoy the stunning pavilion views and escape the bustling of the World Showcase.
The back area around this place is a nice quiet place to relax that not too many people know about.
Ambiance at This Restaurant
This EPCOT Japanese restaurant boasts ample outdoor seating with incredible views and illuminating lanterns.
It sits in a manicured garden and patios, where you reach by crossing a wooden bridge.
Set in a picturesque natural setting, the restaurant overlooks a koi pond. To sum it up, the place shows off quaint, castle-in-the-woods feel.
The inspiration of this bookish charm comes from Kyoto’s 17th-century, Katsura Imperial Villa – hence, the name Katsura Grill.
WATCH NEXT: Top 5 BEST Quick Service Restaurants at Epcot!
Katsura Grill Menu
The menu here offers fairly unique dishes for a quick service theme park restaurant.
In addition to sushi, teriyaki, and udon, there is edamame too.
If you are on a special diet, the restaurant’s steamed rice and salad with serve as the healthiest option at the park.
You’ll also be interested in their iced green tea and delicious Shrimp Tempura Udon soup.
If you are a green tea connoisseur with a sweet tooth, try their Green Tea Cheesecake, it’s satiating.
At Katsura Grill, you can complete the traditional Japanese order with sake (cold or hot), or opt for craft beer, plum wine, and cocktails.
How Pricey is Katsura Grill?
The prices are just as you’d expect from a quick service in WDW.
The sushi rolls here are around $12, the Shrimp Tempura Udon is $14, and teriyaki fares up to $16. Plus, the entrées at Katsura Grill start at $14 and go up to $16.
Do You Need an Advance Reservation?
Although semi-hidden, the restaurant can fill quickly during peak season. However, reservations are not offered for this quick service restaurant at EPCOT.
Final Verdict on Katsura Grill Review
Set in the beautiful scenery, offering a comprehensive menu, and boasting lovely imperial architecture, Katsura Grill is a heart-winning EPCOT Japanese restaurant.
In my opinion, it is 7/10.
3. Kabuki Café (Kiosk Service)
I know, I know! Not a restaurant. But Kabuki Café is definitely a must-try kiosk in EPCOT. There’s more to the Japan Pavilion that just sushi and teriyaki.
It may not serve the upscale traditional dishes, but it is a wholesome stop to sample Japan’s street food.
Ambiance at This Kiosk
No interior plus street-style setting equals casual roadside feel. But, notice the architecture. It flaunts a Japanese style roof, artsy boards, lanterns, and minimal accents.
Kabuki Café Menu
As expected, the menu isn’t anything like the upscale Japanese restaurants in EPCOT. Instead, savory frozen treats are the specialty here.
Stop by the kiosk to taste its highlight snack – Kakigori, shaved ice dipped in fruit syrup.
Other must-tries include Sake Mists and Spicy Roll. Apart from the nibbles, you also get alcoholic beverages like plum wine, draft beer, and Sake Mist.
How Pricey is Kabuki Café?
The Kakigori comes in several flavors, and depending on it, the snacks can cost anywhere between $4.50-$5.50.
Sushi and edamame are also available for a similar price that goes up to $6. The beverage prices range between $8-$11, Sake Mist being the most expensive.
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Do You Need an Advance Reservation?
There is no need for reservations to stop by this kiosk.
Final Verdict on Kabuki Café Review
For a kiosk, Kabuki Café is a must-visit for foodies.
With its more-comprehensive-than-expected menu, the eatery deserves a 7/10.
4. Teppan Edo (The Hibachi Restaurant in EPCOT)
Watch the incredible art of gastronomy as chef flips vegetables, jokes about shrimp tail, and makes a pun about sauces.
If you are traveling with kids and would like to distract them to enjoy a peaceful meal, then Teppan Edo is the spot for you.
On the other side, if you aren’t a fan of communal dining, then Teppan Edo isn’t the restaurant for you. Here, you sit in groups of eight around the hibachi grill tables.
Ambiance at This Restaurant
Teppan Edo is a table-service Japanese steakhouse-like restaurant boasting elegant, pagoda-style architecture.
The interior consists of multiple rooms, each with its several teppanyaki stations.
Since the restaurant shares space with Tokyo Dining, it also shares the dim-lit, high-end ambiance. The furniture is kept minimal, and walls flaunt Japanese art.
However, there’s a wrinkle in its elegance.
Due to the spacious seating area, the restaurant might feel less authentic to some against the intimate, small-seating restaurants of Japan (not the pavilion).
Teppan Edo Menu
The menu here is a subtle fusion of American-Japanese cuisine. Beyond the hibachi dishes and seven-piece sushi sampler, it includes California Roll, NY Cut Steak, and Julienned Steak.
Accompanying the menu is a wide selection of beverages, including sake, wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks.
To put it simply, if you liked Benihana, you will like Teppan Edo.
Recommended: 10 BEST Places to Get Hibachi in Orlando
How Pricey is Teppan Edo?
Teppan Edo prices are very similar to the rest of the top Japanese restaurants in EPCOT. The appetizers start at $6.50 for Miso Soup, going up to $16.50 for Soy Butter Calamari.
You can order sushi for $18, entrées for $34, and combos for $4236. It is the add-ons and enhancements like Wagyu Steak that can hike the bill by $120.
Do You Need an Advance Reservation?
Making reservations beforehand is highly recommended.
Final Verdict on Teppan Edo Review
You will love to visit the restaurant for its side entertainment, hibachi-style food, and familiar dishes.
Even if you have visited a local teppanyaki restaurant, I’d suggest you still experience dining at Teppan Edo.
I give this restaurant a strong 8/10!
5. Takumi Tei (The Best Japanese Restaurant in EPCOT)
Takumi Tei is a signature EPCOT restaurant housed in the ultimate tall-pagoda edifice.
With its unique architecture, delicious food, and traditional omakase dining, Takumi Tei, despite being new, out-famed the popular Teppan Edo.
Ambiance at This Restaurant
The setting of Takumi Tei exudes tranquility amidst the boisterous park.
Various colors and textures decorate the wall, soothing music plays in the background, the aroma of delicious food fills the air, and purposely-plated dishes boast creative presentation.
Five themes remain dominant throughout the interior – wood, stone, paper, earth, and water – and are reflected in the haikus displays.
In short, Takumi Tei gets as sophisticated and artistic as it can get.
Takumi Tei Menu
This EPCOT Japanese restaurant offers a slew of unique dishes on the Omakase Tasting Menu with seven options to pick from.
Add to the drink selection featuring Japanese beer, wine, mimosa, and cocktails are also incredible!
How much does it cost to eat at Takumi Tei in EPCOT?
The prices are Takumi Tei are between $100 and a whopping $250. On average, you can expect to spend around $310 per person for a wholesome dining experience.
Do You Need an Advance Reservation?
Advance reservation for Takumi Tei is highly recommended.
Final Verdict on Takumi Tei Review
Takumi Tie is the place to enjoy a good meal for the ultimate foodie.
From brilliant architecture to a traditional ambiance and eclectic menu, the restaurant excels at everything.
I give it a 10/10 EPCOT Japanese restaurant!
What to Know Before You Go to Epcot
Now that you are confident about choosing the best EPCOT Japanese restaurant for your trip, let’s go through a few of the most common questions.
Is it worth going to EPCOT just for dining purposes?
The park is totally worth visiting to sample the multi-international Disney food. Unfortunately, there is no dining-only ticket.
So, you will have the option to enjoy a full day at the theme park.
Is EPCOT Japanese dining kid-friendly?
Yes. The restaurants at EPCOT include an exclusive Kid’s Menu. Takumi Tie also has a Kid’s Dessert Menu.
Do EPCOT Japan restaurants have dress codes?
No, you can wear casual theme park attire to the restaurants.
What time can I start drinking at EPCOT?
When you are in EPCOT, drinking around the world can start between 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Dotted by over 50 restaurants in EPCOT, dining here can get really overwhelming.
You definitely won’t want to settle for the gloppy hibachi, when you want to dig into something a bit more unique to Japan.
It is exactly why I have curated this detailed list of best EPCOT Japanese restaurants. From sushi and sake to their prices.
Don’t forget to check out the little kiosk in front of the Mitsukoshi Department Store for an intoxicating EPCOT cocktail!
Everything about these eateries are explained just for you, so you come up with a well-informed EPCOT dining plan itinerary.
どうぞお召し上がりください (enjoy your meal)!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
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(Original Article Date: November 26, 2020/Updated March 6, 2024)