Monday, February 15, 2016

Nine Dragons Restaurant - Epcot

Last updated January 10, 2019 

Earlier today, we had lunch at Nine Dragons Restaurant, a table service restaurant in the China Pavilion at Epcot.


In the 7 1/2 years we have lived in Orlando, we have only eaten at Nine Dragons Restaurant twice, because their gluten free options are very limited.


Nine Dragons is not Disney owned and operated, so they do not have an allergy-friendly menu, and do not expect to speak to a chef.  Both times we have dined there, our servers were the ones who told me what I could eat, and when they were not sure of something, they checked with a manager.


On this visit, I was told that I could order the Canton Pepper Beef, Kung Pao Chicken, Kung Pao Shrimp, or the Vegetables & Tofu Stir Fry.  I was also offered chicken and broccoli with a white sauce, which was not on the menu.


I decided to order the Kung Pao Shrimp, which was made with gluten free soy sauce.  The dish was nice and spicy, like I requested, but overall, I found it to be pretty unexciting.  The portion was large, but the dish lacked a vegetable, and there were way too many peanuts.  I prefer my Asian food to be sweet and spicy, but my Kung Pao Shrimp was not sweet at all.  If you do not like spicy food, they will make this dish mild for you.


We dined at Nine Dragons Restaurant three years ago with the family of one of my Chinese international students.  On that visit, I ordered the Canton Pepper Beef with onions and bell peppers.  If we ever dine at Nine Dragons again, I would order this dish, subbing broccoli for the green bell peppers.  I remember liking, but not loving the Canton Pepper Beef.


There are no gluten free dessert options at Nine Dragons.  They have three varieties of ice cream, but the ingredients labels, which our server showed me, have warnings that they are made on equipment that processes wheat.  


We will definitely not be dining at Nine Dragons Restaurant again any time soon.  Their gluten free options are too limited, and I don't love the food enough to go back.  My gluten-eating daughters loved their General Tso's Chicken Buns, but my husband was not that impressed with his Nine Dragons Lo Mein.  If you are craving Chinese food, I recommend P.F. Chang's or Pei Wei Asian Diner.  

January 10, 2019 Update

A big thank you to blog reader Christine D. for sending me a picture of Nine Dragons Restaurant's new gluten free menu. 


Gluten free options include:
  • Appetizers - plum infused cherry tomatoes, garden salad
  • Dinner entrees - canton pepper beef, honey sesame chicken, chicken with broccoli, shrimp with vegetables, Kung Pao chicken, Kung Pao shrimp, vegetables & tofu stir fry
  • Child's selection - honey sesame chicken (poached sliced chicken breast with honey sesame sauce) 

You can read more about Nine Dragons Restaurant, view their menu and hours, and make advance dining reservations on Disney's website

What are your favorite gluten free options at Nine Dragons Restaurant?  



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