REVIEW: Delicious Green Tea Parfait, Two Boba Beverages, and Spicy Plant-Based Dish Debut at Paradise Garden Grill in Disney California Adventure for Lunar New Year 2022

Alicia

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REVIEW: Delicious Green Tea Parfait, Two Boba Beverages, and Spicy Plant-Based Dish Debut at Paradise Garden Grill in Disney California Adventure for Lunar New Year 2022

The Lunar New Year Celebrations have kicked off at Disney California Adventure, and we stopped by to check out the offerings at Paradise Garden Grill.

Paradise Garden Grill at Disney California Adventure Lunar New Year 2022

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Menu for Paradise Garden Grill at Disney California Adventure Lunar New Year 2022

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Food:

  • Korean-style BBQ Chicken: Half chicken with steamed white rice, kimchi, pickled cucumbers, and sesame seeds (Sip and Savor portion available) – $15.99
  • Pork Banh Mi: Grilled pork belly with pickled daikon, carrots, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, and seasoned mayonnaise on a crispy baguette (Sip and savor portion available) – $13.99
  • 🆕 Spicy Kung Pao Tofu: Deep fried tofu with zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, red peppers, peanuts, and fried rice garnished with garlic deep-fried chips (Sip and Savor portion available)  – $14.49
  • Whole Fried Fish: Crispy whole fish, sweet and sour sauce, steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables and chicken soup – served family-style for two – $24.99
  • 🆕 Green Tea Raspberry Parfait: Green tea mousse, raspberry jelly, white sponge cake, white chocolate mousse, and candy pearls – $6.99
  • Side of steamed rice – $2.99
  • Side of fried rice – $3.49

Beverages:

  • 🆕Tiger Milk Tea with brown sugar boba (non-alcoholic) – $5.49
  • 🆕Soju Cocktail: Soju, ginger beer, lemon, basil, Fresno chile, lychee flavor-filled boba – $14.00
  • 🆕Mulan Sipper with choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase (non-alcoholic) – $18.49
  • 🆕Novelty: Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Sip and Savor Pass not accepted) – $4.99

Photos of Menu Items from Paradise Garden Grill at Disney California Adventure Lunar New Year 2020

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Korean-style BBQ Chicken – $15.99

1/2 Chicken with Steamed White Rice, Kimchi, Pickled Cucumbers and Sesame Seeds

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It’s not bad Korean BBQ, but nothing stands out about this dish. Although it had a wing-barbecue taste, it was still on point and well cooked. If you’re picky, this is your meal. If not, the Banh Mi is the better option.

Pork Belly Banh Mi – $13.99

Grilled Pork Belly with Pickled Daikon, Carrots, Cucumber, Jalapeño, Cilantro, and Seasoned Mayonnaise on a Crispy Baguette

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The pork belly was well cooked and crispy, which went well with the crunchiness of the bread. The vegetables complimented the meat, providing spiciness to the dish. The only problem is that the veggies made one of the ends of the sandwich soggy. Otherwise, it was a really good sandwich.

Whole Fried Fish – $24.99

served Family-style for two

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The fish itself is a gorgeous meal, and clearly, it’s meant to serve a family from the sheer size of the Tilapia. It looks and tastes like something that might be more at home at Carthay Circle. So that’s the problem: a quick-service restaurant typically serves food that guests can consume easily, which this is not.

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Anyone who has ever had a whole fish knows that deboning it is a long, arduous, and important process. It’s a process you wouldn’t mind in a sit-down restaurant. But if you’re a family who wants a quick bite before your next Lightning Lane, you can imagine that deboning this fish carefully to avoid any problems with bones is not going to work out.

It’s a shame because that is the only negative aspect of this delicious dish. If you want it, go for it, but be warned that it’ll take more time to consume than your traditional quick-service dish.

*NEW* Spicy Kung Pao Tofu – $14.49

Deep Fried Tofu with Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Broccoli, Red Peppers, Peanuts and Fried Rice, garnished with Garlic Chips

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When they say spicy, they mean spicy. It’s not “too hot to handle,” but it brings more of a kick than we expected from theme park food. That being said, the flavors are good, and the Kung Pao sauce on the tofu runs all over everything, tying the dish together. Not the greatest thing on the menu, but definitely no slouch. We suggest pairing it with the Tiger Milk rather than the spicy Soju Cocktail.

*NEW* Green Tea Raspberry Parfait – $6.99

Green Tea Mousse, Raspberry Jelly, White Sponge Cake, White Chocolate Mousse, and Candy Pearls

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This is a very enjoyable dessert. The raspberry puts up a valiant effort and does take some of the edge off the ultra-creamy green tea, but it doesn’t come through as heavily as you would expect. The texture of this dessert is so unique and fantastic. It’s almost lighter than a mousse. This is the perfect ending to a delicious meal at Paradise Garden Grill.

*NEW* Tiger Milk Tea (non-alcoholic) – $5.49

with brown sugar boba

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This is very well done. It’s not overly heavy on the tea, which is sometimes too tannic for many drinkers. This is more middle of the road, with a good balance of sweet and creamy, with a subtle dash of tea. The brown sugar boba are just sweet enough and perfectly chewy. Overall, this great treat doesn’t overpower you with sugar but still satisfies a sweet tooth.

*NEW* Soju Cocktail – $14.00

Soju, ginger beer, lemon, basil, Fresno chile, lychee flavor-filled boba

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Very light and refreshing, but surprisingly spicy. Between the ginger beer and the Fresno chili, this does have a subtle kick of capsaicin to it. It works well with the rest of the drink. The sweet lychee-filled boba are fantastic and bring a sweeter fruit flavor to the otherwise citrusy drink. Overall, it’s a great drink and pairs well with the menu but is also great on its own. We would definitely get it again.

These items will be available from January 21 through February 13 for the 2022 Lunar New Year Celebration.