The number one question folks have asked about the trip is this: “How was the food?” Luckily, I took plenty of photos and video of the various meals and treats (oh, the treats!) I had at the park. So, without further ado, here they are, in all their splendor! I’ve ranked them from 7 to 1, and we’ll work our way toward my #1 pick! Consider this your personal Shanghai Disneyland food hack. And yes, I managed to try 7 different foods/meals over the course of 2 days. Don’t judge me. And now, your Shanghai Disneyland food guide!
7. Sausage Roll at Merlin’s Magic Recipe (Fantasyland)
The sausage roll is your basic ground pork inside a flaky pastry - nothing to write home about, but pretty darn tasty!
6. Potato Gems and Spring Roll at Spiral Snacks (Tomorrowland)
I’m never using the phrase “tater tots” again. They are, now and forevermore, “potato gems.” Good ‘ol fried potatoes with a spring roll wingman, complete with meat floss and a zesty sauce that reminded me of a Chinese seasoned sour cream - the perfect midday snack!
5. Donald Waffle at Il Paperino (Mickey Avenue)
I thought I ordered a standard Disney Parks waffle, but I was pleasantly surprised when my first bite contained ham, cheese, and corn! Sure, the corn was a bit of a curveball for my western expectations, but it was pretty good! Washing it down with the only iced coffee drink I could find it the park certainly didn’t hurt, either.
4. Gamma Ray Pork Chop Burger at Stargazer Grill (Tomorrowland)
This one almost made it further up the list, but the somewhat odd taste of breaded, deep fried ground pork, topped with kimchi keeps it steady at #4. The kimchi was a pleasant surprise!
3. Soft Serve Cone at Il Paperino (Mickey Avenue)
Solid soft serve is just hard to beat in my book.
2. Gong Bao Chicken with Rice at Tribal Table (Adventure Isle)
Perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken, tender greens, and crispy… something? Those somethings tasted fantastic though! Wash it down with some Fanta, and you have my #2 meal at Shanghai Disneyland. But, it just couldn’t eclipse…
1. Tangled’s Crispy Pork with Rice at Tangled Tree Tavern (Fantasyland)
Virtually every review I read ranked Tangled Tree Tavern at the top of the Shanghai Disneyland dining list. I’m not joking when I say I almost bought a second meal. But, ya know. Oh, and those are scrambled egg yolks shaped into Mickey! This was definitely one of the first treats I had at the resort, because I think I ended up eating 3 of those little guys.
Honorable mention: Bacon cheeseburger at Cheesecake Factory (Disneytown)
Yeah, I know. But, I had been in China for 8 days, and I was craving some standard issue American food. I don’t know if they ship food directly from America to this location, but this was exactly what you’d find in the states. Honestly, I had low expectations, but this was the closest I’ve seen to real (yes, I’m intentionally avoiding the word “authentic”!) American food overseas. And they even offered free soda refills! Those of you who have spent time overseas know just how rare that is!
Dishonorable mention: This odd hot mocha thing (everywhere)
It wasn’t coffee. It wasn’t milk. It wasn’t not coffee or not milk. I honestly don’t know what it was. But it looked cold and refreshing, and it was neither. But at least it was literally everywhere.
There you have it, my officially unofficial ranking of treats at Shanghai Disneyland!
Shanghai is an amazing city, and Shanghai Disneyland was the highlight of my visit. While I was sad to depart, more adventure was ahead as I made my way to Hong Kong!
Did you miss my reviews of the park? Read all about day 1 here!
