As a longtime lover of Disneyland, I recently went to the Tokyo Disney Park, comprised of Disneyland and DisneySea, to see how it compared. Not only does the park have original rides such as Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Monster’s, Inc Ride and Go Seek, and Journey to the Center of the Earth, they also have an abundance of unique eats. This park is a distinct experience as it is the only Disney park owned by a separate entity, the Oriental Land Company . I enjoyed the nostalgic Disney I love and the influence of Japanese culture to the park. In particular, I appreciated their inventive use of Japanese flavors such as matcha and red bean in their food. It is currently their 35th anniversary celebration that features delectable eats only available this year. Here’s a guide to the must haves…
1. Little Green Dumplings
How can one resist these adorable Toy Story Alien Mochi? The green wrapping is made of sweetened rice cake. They are filled with vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry custard. They are available at Mamma Biscotti’s Bakery at DisneySea.
Pro tip: I found them at the Soft Landing Snack Stand in Disneyland with a significantly shorter line.
2. Ukiwa Bun
Ukiwa means life saver in Japanese and this cute bun is shaped as a floaty for Donald Duck. It is filled with shrimp that is wrapped in a red and white sweet bread. The creative wrapper features Donald’s top half on the front and his legs are visible on the flip side. Find this treat at Sea Side Snacks in DisneySea.
3. Gyoza Dog
Also known as the Gyoza Sausage Bun, this is a giant juicy pork bun. Gyoza, traditionally Chinese, is made from pork, cabbage, onion, garlic, and soy sauce. You can find it at Nautilus Galley in DisneySea, but you might have to wait on a long line to taste one.
4. Strawberry Critter Sundae
The strawberry flavor is a special 35th anniversary treat. It features strawberry soft serve, cornflakes, a purple cotton candy churro and a berry drizzle. The crunch and saltiness from the cereal perfectly balances out the sweet soft serve and reminds me of Milk Bar’s Cereal Milk Ice Cream. I snagged this refreshing treat at Rackety’s Raccoon Saloon in Disneyland after a long wait in the sun for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
5. Chandu Tiger Tail
In Japan, Chandu the Tiger from Sinbad’s Story Book Adventure is so popular he has his own snack. Shaped like a tiger tail, this bright orange and black bun is filled with creamed chicken akin to a chicken pot pie filling. Find the tail at Sultan’s Oasis in DisneySea.
6. Pizza Spring Roll
I was skeptical when I spotted park visitors munching on this snack, but I was wrong. The crispy spring roll with the cheesy pizza filling is similar to a revamped Hot Pocket or Totino Pizza Roll. Find this wacky and surprisingly tasty mashup at a small cart in front of Gadget’s Go Coaster in Toon Town at Disneyland.
Pro tip: Go for the pizza flavor, not the egg and shrimp.
7. Mike Wazowski Melon Bread
Melon bread is a is a popular traditional Japanese pastry. It is a light and fluffy sweet bread with a cookie crust and just hint of melon. It is perfect for a snack. It is similar to the pineapple bun found in Chinese bakeries in the U.S. This cute version is available at many restaurants such as the Sweetheart Cafe in Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.
8. Popcorn
At Tokyo Disney, popcorn is everywhere. Small carts scattered across both parks feature a numerous variety of savory and sweet flavors. If you’re feeling salty try the Soy Sauce and Butter or Curry popcorn. If you want a sweeter snack, opt for the Honey or Milk Tea popcorn. Each cart is stocked with individual flavors so you can explore the park and try new flavors as you go.
