Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with New Food & Drinks at Universal Orlando Resort

May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, and Universal Orlando Resort is joining the celebration with a flavorful lineup of new food and drink offerings inspired by diverse AANHPI cultures. From savory street food bites to sweet treats and refreshing beverages, guests can explore unique tastes throughout Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. These limited-time menu items are more than just delicious—they’re a tribute to the rich culinary traditions and heritage of the AANHPI community. Here’s everything you can try during your next visit.

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This May, Universal Orlando Resort is proud to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiʻian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. From the heartwarming flavors of the Hawaiʻian Loco Moco to the appetizing aromas of the Lychee Breeze, this month is a celebration of culture, cuisine, and connection. Get ready to savor every bite and sip (and ask for seconds!) as we dive into the rich techniques and vibrant traditions of the AANHPI community with new food and drink offerings around Universal Orlando Resort.

Universal Volcano Bay | Hawaiʻian Longboard Pizza and Lychee Breeze

Through the winding paths of paradise is the Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club, making residence at the base of Universal Volcano Bay and serving up fresh, tropical classics. Alongside the delicious Hawaiʻian Ribs Platter and mouthwatering Mango BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich Platter are the longboard pizzas — a delicious (and shareable) treat for relaxing at Waturi Beach.

When tasked with the culinary challenge of reinventing such a staple, sous chef Ronnie Perez immersed himself in the countries and cultures that inspired the water theme park. Captivated by the cuisine of the Pacific Islands, he drew inspiration from a popular ingredient featured in the region’s dishes and used this to create the Hawaiʻian Longboard Pizza.

This new longboard pizza features Spam as its centerpiece, with this notable ingredient layered generously atop mozzarella cheese. Alongside Spam, this scrumptious longboard is topped with juicy pineapple, tangy teriyaki sauce, cilantro, and jalapeño.

“I thought the flavor profile was already well-rounded, but it needed a little spice,” Chef Ronnie explains. “The jalapeño adds the spice while the pineapple smoothens out the heat. When combined with the teriyaki sauce, you get a blend of tart, sweet, and tangy flavors.”

Across the crystal blue waters of Waturi Beach is the Dancing Dragons Boat Bar, serving citrusy cocktails under the colorfully repainted sails of a Chinese junk ship. Joining this tropical line-up is the Lychee Breeze, a refreshing drink perfectly suited for the heat of the summer. It features the smokiness of black rum alongside the rich, earthy flavors of a dark aged rum, all seamlessly blended with the sweetness of orange, citrus, and lychee.

Universal Studios Florida | Asian Beef Satay and Ube Milk Tea

Over in Universal Studios Florida, you can experience bites and delights from around the world, all in a single day. Nestled between the hustle of New York and the bustle of London is the Bay Area, serving as a beautiful homage to the Golden State. While San Franscisco may be the residence of some rookie racers, it also doubles as the home of the San Fran Streetcar — a snack cart that is just as vibrant as its food is delicious.

This spring, the San Fran Streetcar welcomed a new offering to their menu: the Asian Beef Satay. For those unfamiliar, satay is a dish traditionally found throughout Asia, featuring an individual’s choice of skewered meat that is then cooked to perfection upon an open grill. Once tender, the satay is painted in a glistening glaze or sauce and often topped with a delicious coating.

The Asian Beef Satay at the San Fran Streetcar features a juicy arrangement of beef brushed in a soy glaze. Once coated in the signature toasted spicy peanuts, this dish becomes a savory, spicy blend of flavors that won’t disappoint.

The recipe’s creator, sous chef Xerxes Samadan, drew inspiration for the dish’s flavor profile from the fond memories of his youth.  “Back in the Philippines, this is a street food,” he says. “There are carts on every corner. I mixed in what we typically use in the Philippines and velveted the meat to make it more tender.” Chef Xerxes is proud to share this unique flavor palette along the other offerings at the San Fran Streetcar, including the new Ube Milk Tea.

The Ube Milk Tea features the smooth, rich flavors of ube stirred together with nutty almond milk, brown sugar boba, and even more ube (only this time, it’s a syrup!). When paired with the savory spices of the beef satay, this sweet, creamy blend comes together in a truly unforgettable fusion of Asian flavors.

Universal CityWalk | “Rising Calm” Cocktail

The ingredient innovators at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen are embarking on a new flavor adventure. Known for their cocoa craftsmanship, this team of culinary alchemists is ready to introduce a delightful twist with their latest creation: the Rising Calm.

“The cocktail is a combination of Korean and Japanese influence,” says Grace Yacobowsky, bar manager. “From the Gochujang simple syrup to the whiskey to the name — which combines the country of the ‘Rising Sun’ and the country of the ‘Morning Calm’ — this cocktail showcases the delicate blend of both cultures in a Toothsome-inspired manner.”

Imagine a symphony for your taste buds, where the Rising Calm fuses Japanese whiskey with lemon juice, house-made gochujang simple syrup, and lemon bitters to create a sweet, spicy, and savory masterpiece. Each sip is like a burst of flavor fireworks, lighting up your palate.

For the drink’s creator, Jordan McGary, it was important to remain true to the roots of this chocolate emporium while experimenting with bold, new ingredients. He drew much of his inspiration from popular beverages of the nineteenth century, creating a similar synergy of flavors to an old-fashioned while introducing tastes of gochujang to the bar for the first time.

The Rising Calm is “a little citrusy with a spicy finish, but don’t worry — the ‘spice’ isn’t super-hot. It’s a sweet heat; gochujang is like a Korean hot barbecue sauce with a kick,” Jordan says. “Japanese whisky, on the other hand, finishes like a smooth scotch, bringing a smoky flavor that’s just perfect for an old-fashioned.”

Universal CityWalk | Hawaiʻian Loco Moco and Red Dragon Smash

Located in the heart of Universal CityWalk is The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, where culinarians experiment with unique flavors and pairings. From burger-infused sushi rolls to “seafood burgers,” this team consistently blends traditional recipes with untraditional flavors to create a mouthwatering menu.

Joining the venue’s offerings this May is the Hawaiʻian Loco Moco, a dish created by sous chef Paul Scott. This heartwarming blend of ingredients is more than just a meal; it’s a nod to the wonderful people he has met along his journey and the indelible mark they have left on his career.

When Chef Paul was only 18, he moved across the country in search of his calling and future profession. Though initially daunting, this transcontinental move led him to discover his passion for cooking and became the catalyst for his career journey.

“When I arrived in Southern California, my first friends were of Hawaiʻian and Polynesian descent,” Chef Paul says. “The Loco Moco was one of the first dishes I tried when visiting their homes. Between the sushi rice, beef patty, and smoked onion-mushroom gravy, there was a ‘rustic-ness’ but a simplicity to the dish. For a kid from the South leaving home for the first time, this dish felt like home.”

The rich gravy adds a comforting touch to the melody of mushrooms and onions, blending seamlessly with the juicy beef and soft rice. When topped with a sunny side-up egg and fresh, diced green onion, this fusion of flavors will transport you back to your fondest of memories. 

While the Hawaiʻian Loco Moco may feature the savory, heartwarming aromas of home, this next offering will take you to a whole new appetizing world. The Red Dragon Smash cocktail features Sichuan baijiu, blending the aromas of melon, green apple, and other tropical fruits into a shimmering display of flavors.

Underneath the baijiu’s seemingly fruity complexion is a dash of spicy peppercorn flakes, interwoven with pineapple and giving the drink a dragon-inspired twist. Among this drink’s fanciful flavor profile is a sweet watermelon schnapps, sour lime juice, house-made honey syrup, strawberries, ginger beer, and lychee bursting boba. Garnished with a bright, juicy strawberry, this vibrant drink looks almost too delicious to drink. (I did say almost, didn’t I?)

Which of these dishes are you most excited to try this May? Let us know in the comments below!

Must be 21 or older with valid photo ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.

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