Our China Booth Mardi Gras review breaks down the Mala Beef Skewer and Shrimp Fried Rice at Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras.
Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is known for beads, parades, and a food lineup that circles the globe faster than you can say “throw me something, mister!” Still, not every bite is created equal, and our latest stop at the China Booth Mardi Gras proves it.
While this kiosk in the San Francisco area of Universal Studios Florida operates year-round, two featured items have joined the Mardi Gras spotlight for 2026: Shrimp Fried Rice and the Mala Beef Skewer. One of these deserves a parade float—the other… maybe a polite wave from the sidelines. Let’s dig in.
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras: What to Know
If you’ve never visited Universal Orlando during Mardi Gras season, here’s the quick scoop. The event runs daily through early spring and transforms Universal Studios Florida into a full-on Carnaval celebration. Expect:
- A nightly Mardi Gras parade with bead-throwing performers
- Live concerts on select nights
- Plenty of global food booths scattered throughout the park
The food booths are where things get especially fun. Universal offers Mardi Gras Food & Beverage gift cards, typically available in set dollar amounts with bonus value added (for example, buy a $75 card for $65 or annual passholders can get a $150 one for $120). These cards can be used at participating festival booths and select park locations, making it easier to snack your way around the world without repeatedly having to pull out your wallet. It’s a fantastic system — especially when the food delivers. Now… about that.
China Booth Review (San Francisco Area)
This permanent kiosk already serves Asian-inspired dishes year-round, but during Mardi Gras, it spotlights two featured food items:
- Shrimp Fried Rice – $9.99
Egg fried rice with shrimp and vegetables - Mala Beef Skewer – $12.99
Marinated beef skewer topped with Szechuan spice blend and scallions
One is worth your time. One is worth a dramatic side-eye.
Mala Beef Skewer – $12.99
The Unexpected Star of the Show
Let’s start with the good news. The Mala Beef Skewer absolutely surprised us — in a good way.
First bite? Solid flavor. Not “blow-your-face-off authentic Szechuan peppercorn meltdown,” but a very respectable theme park–level Asian spice. There’s a noticeable kick, but it won’t have you begging for a beverage cart to follow you around.
What works:
- The beef was tender
- Good prep and quality overall
- Nicely marinated
- Balanced Szechuan spice blend
- A bit of spice kick without overpowering heat
Most notably, there’s a big difference between this and the everyday items at the China-themed kiosk — in a good way. This feels elevated. It feels intentional. It feels like it was actually designed for the festival rather than scooped from a warming tray labeled “miscellaneous rice-adjacent protein.”
The scallions on top add freshness, and the portion size feels fair for a theme park skewer at $12.99.
Is it life-changing? No. Is it worth your Mardi Gras gift card dollars? Absolutely. This one earns a bead toss of approval.
Shrimp Fried Rice – $9.99
The Rice That Forgot It Was Fried
Now… let’s talk about the shrimp fried rice. Deep breath. This Universal Mardi Gras food offering has many fatal flaws.
First, the portion size. For $9.99, you’re expecting at least a modest bowl of fried rice goodness. What you get instead is a tiny portion that makes you wonder if someone accidentally selected “kid’s side dish” instead of “festival feature.”
Second, the shrimp situation. There were two small pieces of shrimp. Two. Not two scoops. Not two generous portions. Two individual shrimp pieces — neither particularly well prepared nor good tasting.
At that point, just call it “Rice with a Rumor of Shrimp.” Still, then we get to the biggest issue: this is not fried rice. This is steamed rice with a small amount of seasoning. There’s no real wok-fried texture. No depth. No caramelized bits. No satisfying egg integration. It’s rice that seems to have heard about fried rice once and decided that was close enough.
For nearly ten dollars, this feels like a theme park misstep. The flavor is flat, the shrimp is underwhelming, and the value just isn’t there. When you’re navigating the Mardi Gras booths offering bold global flavors, this one is not worth your time — or your gift card balance.
China Booth Mardi Gras Universal Orlando Resort 2026
If you’re stopping by the China Booth Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando Resort:
✅ Get the Mala Beef Skewer
❌ Skip the Shrimp Fried Rice
The beef skewer delivers solid flavor, good prep, and a respectable spice kick that feels worthy of the festival atmosphere. It’s a noticeable step up from the kiosk’s everyday offerings and a smart use of your Mardi Gras food card.
The shrimp fried rice at the China booth Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando sells, on the other hand, feels like a placeholder. Between the tiny portion, underwhelming shrimp, and lack of true fried rice texture, it simply doesn’t justify the price.
Still, during Mardi Gras, when you could be devouring beignets, and globally inspired dishes around every corner — there’s no reason to settle for rice that forgot its purpose.
Save your beads. Save your dollars at the China booth Mardi Gras. Get the skewer but not the rice!
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. As always, eat like you mean it!
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