EPCOT’s new Japanese restaurant has the best food and view

At Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya, enjoy stunning views, delightfully authentic dishes, and the magic of year-round Japanese festivals.

Japan Pavilion

To enjoy EPCOT’s newest restaurant, go to the Japan World Showcase Pavilion located between America and Morocco. If you’re coming from the park entrance, take the boat from Port of Entry to Morocco to save steps.

While you’re at the Japan Pavilion, be sure to check out the largest EPCOT shop, Mitsukoshi Department Store. In addition to the unique apparel such as kimonos, Japanese handbags and scarves sold here, there’s an entire devoted to snacks and candies.

Be sure to take in the drummer performance, walk through Japanese gardens, and check out Bijutsu-kan Gallery It features the charming kawaii—Japan’s “cute” culture. For a complete guide of this pavilion, read HERE.

Waiting for Your Table

Check in is located outside the entrance of the Mitsukoshi Department Store in front of the large stairs. Note: check-in for Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya and Teppan Edo share the same podium so be sure to specify where you’ll be dining.

After checking in, you’ll take the large brown stairs to the second floor. There is a shared waiting area with Teppan Edo with ample seating, air conditioning, and a relaxing vibe. From here, you’ll be called to your table and your experience begins.

Charming Atmosphere

Here, you’ll create memories inspired by Japan’s vibrant seasonal festivals. A cultural representative from Japan will guide you through each unique festival experience. You’ll participate in Tanabata festivities during the summer and savor moon-viewing dumplings in the autumn.

The atmosphere is calm and relaxing. At our (Susan and fellow writer Donna) table, there was a “magical” window that changed seasons as we ate. It was very entertaining!

Here, you’ll create memories inspired by Japan’s vibrant seasonal festivals.

Stunning View

Take a look at the wonderful view of World Showcase Lagoon above. It’s fun to watch the people exploring EPCOT below. Time it right and you’ll be able to watch the EPCOT fireworks right from your table!

Donna and I had an amazing time and couldn’t resist taking a selfie with the view behind us.

Time it right and you’ll be able to watch the EPCOT fireworks right from your table!

Authentic and Expansive Menu

Enjoy an array of authentic dishes made with fresh ingredients, reflecting the flavors of each season.

For an authentic izakaya experience, select from a variety of mouthwatering izakaya-style delicacies, including savory skewers, crispy tempura, succulent sushi rolls and hearty okonomiyaki.

The menu has an extremely wide price range so whether you’re looking for a gigantic $300 sushi bowl or a simple sushi roll for about $20, you’ll find both and so much more!

And although this is a new restaurant, they offer a 10% Annual Passholder and Visa card holder discount.

In the center of the restaurant, chefs are freshly preparing sushi and other delightful dishes. There are seats all around this area to allow guests watching them in action. The server explained that food would come out as it was prepared in no particular order (except dessert). She explained that is the way Japan serves food.

If you don’t like sushi, no worries! The menu has a variety of Japanese cooked dishes available, too.

Food comes out as it’s ready in no particular order just like in Japan.

What We Ordered

First, we tried the Beef Yaki-Udon from the grill. It includes stir-fried udo noodles tossed with beef and vegetables The noodles were amazing, the vegetables were fresh, and the beef was tender. We enjoyed this dish and would order it again.

The food was beyond perfect with both presentation and taste. This is large enough to share and quite filling. 

Next, we ordered one of my favorites, the Golden Philadelphia Roll. It features fresh salmon, cream cheese and salmon roe tempura battered.

We both agreed that this was the best sushi we’ve ever had. The salmon was incredibly fresh and the tempura batter was light and didn’t overpower the other flavors. And it’s such a beautiful dish! Hope you’ll give this one a try.

Wanting to try something different, we chose the Rock Shrimp Tempura. It was deep fried, crispy shrimp tossed in creamy yuzu sauce. The shrimp was cooked just right with a slightly sweet sauce.

One of the featured cocktails is the Shochu Squeeze. You get your choice of fresh citrus with shochu soda.

When we went, the choices were lemon and grapefruit. When it arrives, you squeeze the juice and add it to the cocktail! The grapefruit was dark pink, sweet and made a refreshing drink.

So Much More than Standard Service

When our server arrived to our table, she explained that this was more than just a meal. She wanted us to understand more about Japan and its food. We were presented a generous wipe to keep our hands clean.

She was very attentive, but quietly polite, and never pushy. All of the cast members here added to the experience asking if we needed anything.

It truly felt like a cultural experience as each cast member explained the customs of Japan. The overall experience was peaceful and zen-like with the beautiful wall projections and the attentive servers. It was such a different experience than dining in other locations across Walt Disney World.

It truly felt like a cultural experience as each cast member explained the customs of Japan.

Sweet Endings

For dessert, we ordered the Ichigo Parfait. It consisted of layers of strawberries, cheesecake, and vanilla ice cream. Toward the bottom of the parfait, it also had what tasted like corn flakes. Both of us agreed that this Japanese style Strawberry Sundae was a winner!

At the end of our meal, we received a stamped card. Our server explained that after visiting each season, we would receive a discount on our next visit. At the end, adding a wish the bamboo tree solidified that this was more than just a meal, but an experience.

Guests add a wish to the bamboo tree at the entrance of the restaurant.

Do you love trying new restaurants? If so, will you try Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya soon? Please share your thoughts in the comments below and share this post with a food loving friend.