The Nine Dragons at Epcot’s World Showcase
The World Showcase is where we head for today’s restaurant review. The Nine Dragons can be found at the China Pavilion. Should you make advanced dining reservations for this place on your next trip? Let’s take a look.
First, let’s talk about atmosphere. It could be a lot better, at least when compared to other World Showcase restaurants. The China Pavilion is a beautiful display of color, culture, and architecture, but step inside the Nine Dragons and that experience is lessened. When you look at the interior and compare it to the amount of design and effort that went into the San Angel, Le Cellier, or the Rose and Crown, this is somewhat disappointing. It has an interesting look to it, but it does not blow you away.
The other issue is that the place is loud and not very intimate at all. The seating certainly doesn’t help this in any way as you are often seated so close to the next table that you feel tempted to ask them to pass the duck sauce. With a big group this might not bother you much, but with a table for two it can feel very crowded.
But the real problem comes with the food, and not the actual quality of it. Now I will admit I have heard many people complain about the food quality here, but that has never been the case anytime I have gone to the Nine Dragons. It is always hot, delivered on time, and often tasty. The issue is in the value of what you are paying for. For instance, the General Tso’s Chicken is as good as any I have had at any Chinese food place, nothing special, but a good meal. However at the Nine Dragons you pay $17.99! Now I would expect to pay a premium to eat at the World Showcase, but 15 bucks for a dish of chicken fried rice???
If I were to make a recommendation on a dish, it would have to be the Eggplant in Garlic Sauce ordered off the vegetarian section of the menu. It really is delicious, and at $12.99 the sticker shock doesn’t blow you off you chair.
This is one of the few Epcot restaurants I would advise you to skip. Unless you have an uncontrollable urge to pay through the nose for sesame chicken, the Nine Dragons offers nothing special. You’ll go home disappointed if you are looking for the quality and experience we have come to expect from the World Showcase.
Staff ratings
Dave= A-ticket
Mike= A-ticket
MJMcBride said,
December 20, 2006 @ 6:36 pm
I do not like Nine Dragons. I consider perhaps the worst the World Showcase has to offer.
Mouse Extra said,
April 6, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
[...] to make advanced dining reservations. Either way, getting a sit-down meal at someplace other than Nine Dragons is impossible. Never fear, you’re in the World Showcase, and great food is usually just a few [...]