Spiced Shrimp Stew debuts at Epcot with bold flavor, tiny shrimp, and zero seafood commitment issues. How does this Epcot Festival of the Holidays item taste?
The 2025 Epcot Festival of the Holidays is officially underway, and that means one thing: a fresh lineup of seasonal eats scattered across World Showcase. This year, one of the quiet standout debuts is coming from a spot guests often breeze past, the always-reliable Refreshment Outpost, also referred to as the African Outpost. Their newest addition, Spiced Shrimp Stew with Jollof Rice, is an unexpected but welcome surprise on the festival menu.
A Quick Look at the Festival & Refreshment Outpost
The Epcot Festival of the Holidays is best known for its warming comfort foods, festive storytelling, and international takes on holiday traditions. While many guests make a beeline to the holiday kitchens with the biggest followings, the Refreshment Outpost has spent recent festivals quietly building a reputation for some of the more flavorful global dishes.
Refreshment Outpost isn’t a full kitchen in the traditional sense. However, it’s a permanent location in World Showcase between China and Germany that, during festivals, transforms into a hub for African-inspired flavors. While the offerings change each festival, this location often surprises guests with unique spices and hearty comfort dishes. For 2025, the Outpost has introduced its newest creation: the Spiced Shrimp Stew with Jollof Rice, marking one of the more globally inspired debuts of the holiday season.
Spiced Shrimp Stew with Jollof Rice (New for 2025)
Location: Refreshment Outpost (African Outpost)
Price: $7.00 plus tax
This new dish brings together a warm, vibrant stew and jollof rice, a staple in many West African cuisines. Jollof rice is a celebrated West African one-pot dish of rice simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato and pepper stew. Typically seasoned with onions, spices, and sometimes meat or vegetables, it’s known for its vibrant red color and aromatic, spicy profile.
However, what sets this Spice Shrimp Stew apart from other seafood-forward festival dishes is its approachability. Guests buying this festival item will notice that the shrimp here are small, and in some bites, you may not even immediately realize you’re eating shrimp (Please insert Boathouse jokes here- if you know, you know). The seafood flavor is extremely mild, meaning even guests who are hesitant about seafood may find this surprisingly enjoyable.
That said, the portion size is excellent for the price point. This is easily one of the most hearty offerings at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.
Flavor & Spice Profile
The stew leans into warm, aromatic spices rather than tongue-scorching heat. There is a small amount of theme park–level spicy kick, but not enough to scare off sensitive palates. Instead, it provides just enough energy to warm you up on a cool festival evening.
The star here is the seasoning, not the shrimp. This makes the dish taste comforting, layered, and also pleasant. If you’re hunting for bold, briny seafood intensity, you won’t find it. Still, if you want a well-spiced, satisfying holiday festival dish that feels a bit different from the usual lineup, this is a strong contender.
The Spiced Shrimp Stew with Jollof Rice is a welcome and flavorful addition to the 2025 Epcot Festival of the Holidays. While the shrimp themselves may not be the main event, the spices, portion size, and overall warmth of the dish make it a sleeper hit for those exploring the edges of World Showcase. If your holiday festival strategy includes trying something new, globally influenced, and hearty without being too heavy, Refreshment Outpost deserves a stop on your food map this year.
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