Katsura Grill

With the many choices for eating at Epcot, I was a little surprised that not many people talk about Katsura Grill. After visiting, I think I know why.

Hidden in the back of the Japan pavilion, Katsura Grill offers several choices that are similar to what you might find in most Japanese restaurants around the United States. Here’s a look at the menu posted outside as you start up the walkway to the restaurant.

On the menu inside the restaurant, they share that they can put gluten-free teriyaki sauce in place of the regular teriyaki sauce. Aside from this, there is little mention of gluten-free options and the staff was not very helpful when I mentioned needing to eat gluten-free.

In watching the kitchen through the window, it was also evident that there is a risk for cross-contamination in this restaurant. Most of the food was prepared in the same workstation and my plate was passed through the same window as the others.

I ordered the teriyaki chicken, which came with steamed rice and a couple of pieces of broccoli. As I watched them prepare the food, I realized that the chicken was precooked. They simply put some rice in the bowl, placed the broccoli and chicken in the bowl, and then poured teriyaki sauce over it.

The gluten-free teriyaki sauce had a good taste, but was super sweet. It had a consistency similar to honey, and I was sick of the flavor after just a few bites because it was so sweet. The chicken was nothing special. The steamed rice was appropriate and the broccoli was less than appealing.

Now that I’ve tried it, I can certainly say I won’t go back. There are too many other choices at Epcot that offer much better gluten-free food. Save yourself the experience and go elsewhere…unless you just want teriyaki chicken that taste like it came from a gas station.