While everyone’s chasing colorful desserts at this year’s Festival of the Arts, some of the most satisfying bites are hiding in plain sight across the park. For 2026, a few booths are sticking with what works, bringing back proven favorites alongside one solid newcomer. When an EPCOT festival dish earns a return appearance, it’s usually for a reason… and these three crave-worthy choices are worth planning your food crawl around!
General Tso’s Chicken Shumai
Location: Painted Panda, China Pavilion | $10.75
Painted Panda continues its strong Festival of the Arts track record with the return of General Tso’s Chicken Shumai. This dish features plump dumplings filled with chicken, potato, onion, and water chestnut, all topped with a glossy General Tso’s sauce.
The shumai are cooked just right. They hold their shape without being tough and manage to avoid the soggy texture that often plague sauced dumplings. The filling leans savory with a noticeable kick, and the water chestnut brings a light crunch that keeps each bite from feeling too soft.
The sweet sauce balances the heat nicely, and a cucumber slice under each dumpling adds a fresh, cooling bite that works surprisingly well between dumplings.
Croque Monsieur-Inspired Grilled Cheese
Location: Pop Eats, near World Showcase and the Imagination Pavilion | $6.79
New for 2026, Pop Eats introduces a grilled cheese inspired by a classic Croque Monsieur. The sandwich includes Black Forest ham, Gruyère, and béchamel sauce, served alongside a cup of tomato soup.
The bread has a crisp exterior, but unlike a traditional Croque Monsieur, the cheese stays inside the sandwich. That said, it is extremely gooey. The béchamel adds a richness that borders on Alfredo sauce, which makes the ham more of a background player.
The tomato soup is simple but does its job as a dip and helps cut through the heaviness of the sandwich. For the price, this is a filling option that can easily hold you over until your next booth stop!
Hey, if you’re feeling hungry for a fuller meal, order two for a whole sandwich and more soup for less than the cost of a typical quick-service option at EPCOT!
Wagyu Bun
Location: Goshiki, Japan Pavilion | $10.75
The Wagyu Bun returns once again, this time in a purple bao bun that adds some visual drama. The color appears natural, possibly ube, though the bun itself only has a mild sweetness.
Of course, the real reason this dish remains a fan-favorite is the filling. The minced American wagyu beef is savory, rich, and slightly sweet, and it stays juicy without overpowering the bun. Yes, it is pricey for a single bun, and it is hard not to wish it came with two. Still, the flavor delivers, and it is a bit larger than the cheeseburger pod you find at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This remains one of the strongest savory items across the entire festival and a must-try if you are prioritizing quality over quantity!
If you’re looking for something warm, filling, and actually satisfying between booth hops, these are the stops that are worth waiting for. See anything you must try? Happy travels!
