Try the bold and flavorful General Tso Chicken Salad at Epcot’s Connections Eatery. Here’s what to expect from this sweet and savory dish.
The General Tso Chicken Salad has remained a staple on the Connections Eatery menu since it opened in April 2022. We have enjoyed this salad on several previous occasions. During a recent visit to Epcot, we decided to check on this Asian-themed salad.
How Asian is the General Tso Chicken Salad?
You might be surprised to learn that the popular Chinese takeout dish, General Tso’s Chicken, hasn’t been around for very long. The origin of General Tso’s chicken dates back to the 1950s when chef Peng Chang-kuei, a renowned Hunan chef, created it for his restaurant in Taiwan. However, the version familiar today was developed in the United States of America. When Peng first served the dish, it was more savory, spicy, and less oily than the sweet, fried version popular in the United States of America.
In the 1970s, New York City chef Tsung Ting Wang traveled to Taiwan to find inspiration for his restaurant. There, he encountered Peng’s dish, named after a Hunanese general. He adapted it with an American flair (much to Peng’s dismay) by frying the meat and adding sugar to the sauce, which made it an instant success across the country. Today’s version typically features fried chicken in a thick, spicy-sweet sauce with garlic, chili peppers, and often orange zest and ginger. In Chinese-American eateries, it’s usually served with rice and broccoli.
General Tso Chicken Salad Ingredients
However, at Connections Eatery, guests can enjoy this as a part of a salad. The Epcot salad consists of “Petite Kale Blend, Romaine, Broccoli Slaw, Red Bell Pepper, Mandarin Oranges, Edamame, Crispy Wontons, Warm Fried Chicken, General Tso’s Dressing.” It costs $12,49 and no annual pass discounts apply at Connections Eatery.
Review: General Tso Chicken Salad
Early on, many Walt Disney World experienced visitors fell in love with the General Tso Chicken Salad. Connections Eatery offers counter-service style food. The clean, spacious, modern look of this place beckons guests within. Yet, the “umbrella” of menu items mainly consists of pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
Numerous reasons can be found to consider this salad on your next trip to Epcot. You get to eat using genuine bowls and silverware. That fact makes the meal feel more upscale. However, if you find yourself carrying a tray full of food, those items will be heavy, so be prepared. The portion size of the chicken rates as reasonable for a counter-service salad. Additionally, the chicken is above average in taste, especially when paired with the sauce. Also, the ingredients look and taste fresh. The mandarin oranges and edamame were crisp and fresh. The vegetables, especially, offer a fresh aroma and texture.
Why You Should Try It at Connections Eatery
If you’re tired of theme park burgers and pizza, this offers a light meal with solid flavor. Will this be the best salad ever? This salad falls short of that standard. However, the addition of a touch of Asian cuisine to a fresh salad should not be overlooked. In fairness, several counter-service locations within Walt Disney World would charge a similar fee for a below-average chicken entree. The value of this salad makes it a worthy choice. The taste of it makes it something many people keep coming back to enjoy.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. As always, eat like you mean it!
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