I had recently been discussing Nine Dragons with Mike as I hear quite a few bad reviews of this restaurant. Two of my good friends, one of whom is even studying Chinese in college, love this restaurant, and we asked them if they wanted to go with us this weekend. To our delight, they agreed! We decided to try dinner on Saturday, May 1, and I had no problem making a priority seating at exactly 7 PM.
The four of us, Mike, Alexis, Stasi, and I arrived at Epcot and walked around the World Showcase, sampling food and drinks, but nothing heavy. We arrived at Nine Dragons around 5:45 and decided to try to get in early as we were hungry. There were very few people in the restaurant at this time, and we were seated immediately. Mike and I started to debate whether we should do the Sampler, as the South Sea Curry Chicken ($17.95) looked very tempting. Our server asked us for our drink order, and I ordered melon juice ($3.25), Mike had diet Coke, and our two friends had water. Alexis was later to order a Mulan smoothie ($3.95, I believe) after I was reading off the drink menu. The smoothie contained red bean ice cream, pineapple juice, and coconut milk. It was delicious, and tasted somewhat like a pina colada. I had been hoping to get melon juice after I had seen it on the lunch menu, and it didnt disappoint. It tasted fresh, and I think had mostly honeydew, with some watermelon for color and texture. I would love to be able to find this in grocery stores.
After much discussion, Mike and I finally did decide on the Sampler ($42.50 for two) after I found out I could substitute a couple items. The Sampler usually comes with two spring rolls, two Chicken Shao Mai, wonton soup, choice of two entrees from Stir-fried shrimp with garden vegetables, Rainbow Kang Bao Chicken, and Honey Sesame Chicken, steamed rice, hot tea, red bean ice cream, and a fortune cookie. I asked to substitute the Spicy Hot and Sour Soup for the wonton soup, and the ginger ice cream for the red bean ice cream, which was no problem. I dont think you could substitute entrée selections, but you can always ask. For our entrees we chose the Rainbow Kung Bao chicken and the Honey Sesame chicken. Stasi ordered Orange-Flavored Sautéed Breast of Duckling ($18.25), and Alexis ordered Canton Pepper Beef ($18.50). Stasi also ordered the Chicken Shao Mai dim sum and wonton soup, and Alexis ordered wonton soup as well.
Our glasses (except for the juice and smoothie, of course) were always kept full, and service was prompt and efficient. Our dim sum and soups arrived quickly after we ordered. The hot and sour soup had a rich aroma of peppers, and the stock was dark. Ive never had hot and sour soup before, but it was very good. Mike enjoyed his as well. I didnt try the wonton soup, but apparently it was just right, with the broth being the perfect amount of saltiness. The Chicken Shao Mai was very good as well, and I couldnt detect any shrimp, which is fortunate to me as I dont like shrimp. This dim sum contains chicken, shrimp, water chestnuts, and some ginger. The sauce that was brought with this was a spicy vinegar sauce, but didnt taste like vinegar at all. We liked it so much we kept it during our entrees as well. The spring rolls were great, and even though I saw the shrimp (they also contained pork and vegetables), I didnt taste them either. They were incredibly hot, though, and I burned my tongue. Next time I will wait to let them cool!.
Our entrees were brought out soon after. We were surprised at how small the table was, then, as there was a lot of food and large platters. We were accidentally brought out the stir fried shrimp instead of the kung bao chicken, and our server took it back, but not before Stasi started drooling over it. Our honey sesame chicken was excellent, and the sauce had the perfect texture. Usually the sauce we have at our local Chinese take out is thin, but this sauce was thick and sticky, coated the pieces of chicken well, and didnt get everywhere. It didnt coat the rice, but that let the rice act as a savory foil to the chicken. Stasis duck was fatty as duck is which she had forgotten about. Apparently this was the first time she ever had duck, and wasnt up for something fatty. She really enjoyed it, however, but she ended up taking most of it home for dinner the next day. I tried the sauce, however, and it was strongly orange flavored, not too sweet, and with some spice - there were chili peppers in the sauce as well. There was celery on the side, and by its color it seemed to be either blanched or quickly steamed. I didnt try Alexis beef (which also had onions and green and red peppers), either, as I dont like beef. I did try an onion from her dish, though, and it was good, and cooked just right. Mike tried the beef and enjoyed it. Alexis cleaned her plate, so I can only assume that she enjoyed it as well. Our kung bao chicken came out soon after, and I can only rave about it. Its the best dish Ive ever had in a Chinese restaurant. There were small pieces of chicken breast, celery, peanuts, and chili peppers. Our server warned us about the peppers, and I laughed, as Mike had ignored my warning one time that he had General Tsos chicken that came with chili peppers. This entrée was just fabulous. It had a perfect degree of spiciness, not too much and not too little, and the sauce had a somewhat grilled/smoky flavor. The celery was cooked perfectly. It all came together so well, and was our favorite part of the meal. The steamed rice that came with all of our entrees was sticky so we could use our chopsticks, and when we asked for more, it came steaming from the kitchen.
Mike and I were brought the ginger ice cream after that, and this was great as well. It had a strong ginger flavor, but not hot and spicy. There were even small pieces of candied ginger in it. Another item I would love to find in a grocery store! Luckily they sell it at the Lotus Blossom Café outside. It was a perfect ending to the meal. We were also brought out tri-colored fortune cookies, which Ive never seen before. According to the ingredients list, the three flavors were chocolate, citrus, and vanilla. The cookies were crisp and not soggy, as Ive had at other restaurants.
The seating we had was in a great location, right up against the far left window (as youre looking from the outside), with a view of the lagoon. If it was time for illuminations, you would even be able to see a part of the show. I was happy about the table we were seated at, as many of the tables are as close together as they are at the San Angel Inn close enough to eat off the plate of the people on either side of you.
The atmosphere was also great the décor was beautiful, and the restaurant was quiet and reserved earlier in the evening. I didnt notice many children, but there were some, and they do have a short childrens menu.
Overall, this was another great meal. We wouldnt hesitate to return, though maybe not until weve made a dent in the list of restaurants left to review! The food was excellent and the service was quick and friendly. I would advise getting there early and asking for a window seat as to avoid being seated within six inches of other tables, though.
Photo gallery
The four of us, Mike, Alexis, Stasi, and I arrived at Epcot and walked around the World Showcase, sampling food and drinks, but nothing heavy. We arrived at Nine Dragons around 5:45 and decided to try to get in early as we were hungry. There were very few people in the restaurant at this time, and we were seated immediately. Mike and I started to debate whether we should do the Sampler, as the South Sea Curry Chicken ($17.95) looked very tempting. Our server asked us for our drink order, and I ordered melon juice ($3.25), Mike had diet Coke, and our two friends had water. Alexis was later to order a Mulan smoothie ($3.95, I believe) after I was reading off the drink menu. The smoothie contained red bean ice cream, pineapple juice, and coconut milk. It was delicious, and tasted somewhat like a pina colada. I had been hoping to get melon juice after I had seen it on the lunch menu, and it didnt disappoint. It tasted fresh, and I think had mostly honeydew, with some watermelon for color and texture. I would love to be able to find this in grocery stores.
After much discussion, Mike and I finally did decide on the Sampler ($42.50 for two) after I found out I could substitute a couple items. The Sampler usually comes with two spring rolls, two Chicken Shao Mai, wonton soup, choice of two entrees from Stir-fried shrimp with garden vegetables, Rainbow Kang Bao Chicken, and Honey Sesame Chicken, steamed rice, hot tea, red bean ice cream, and a fortune cookie. I asked to substitute the Spicy Hot and Sour Soup for the wonton soup, and the ginger ice cream for the red bean ice cream, which was no problem. I dont think you could substitute entrée selections, but you can always ask. For our entrees we chose the Rainbow Kung Bao chicken and the Honey Sesame chicken. Stasi ordered Orange-Flavored Sautéed Breast of Duckling ($18.25), and Alexis ordered Canton Pepper Beef ($18.50). Stasi also ordered the Chicken Shao Mai dim sum and wonton soup, and Alexis ordered wonton soup as well.
Our glasses (except for the juice and smoothie, of course) were always kept full, and service was prompt and efficient. Our dim sum and soups arrived quickly after we ordered. The hot and sour soup had a rich aroma of peppers, and the stock was dark. Ive never had hot and sour soup before, but it was very good. Mike enjoyed his as well. I didnt try the wonton soup, but apparently it was just right, with the broth being the perfect amount of saltiness. The Chicken Shao Mai was very good as well, and I couldnt detect any shrimp, which is fortunate to me as I dont like shrimp. This dim sum contains chicken, shrimp, water chestnuts, and some ginger. The sauce that was brought with this was a spicy vinegar sauce, but didnt taste like vinegar at all. We liked it so much we kept it during our entrees as well. The spring rolls were great, and even though I saw the shrimp (they also contained pork and vegetables), I didnt taste them either. They were incredibly hot, though, and I burned my tongue. Next time I will wait to let them cool!.
Our entrees were brought out soon after. We were surprised at how small the table was, then, as there was a lot of food and large platters. We were accidentally brought out the stir fried shrimp instead of the kung bao chicken, and our server took it back, but not before Stasi started drooling over it. Our honey sesame chicken was excellent, and the sauce had the perfect texture. Usually the sauce we have at our local Chinese take out is thin, but this sauce was thick and sticky, coated the pieces of chicken well, and didnt get everywhere. It didnt coat the rice, but that let the rice act as a savory foil to the chicken. Stasis duck was fatty as duck is which she had forgotten about. Apparently this was the first time she ever had duck, and wasnt up for something fatty. She really enjoyed it, however, but she ended up taking most of it home for dinner the next day. I tried the sauce, however, and it was strongly orange flavored, not too sweet, and with some spice - there were chili peppers in the sauce as well. There was celery on the side, and by its color it seemed to be either blanched or quickly steamed. I didnt try Alexis beef (which also had onions and green and red peppers), either, as I dont like beef. I did try an onion from her dish, though, and it was good, and cooked just right. Mike tried the beef and enjoyed it. Alexis cleaned her plate, so I can only assume that she enjoyed it as well. Our kung bao chicken came out soon after, and I can only rave about it. Its the best dish Ive ever had in a Chinese restaurant. There were small pieces of chicken breast, celery, peanuts, and chili peppers. Our server warned us about the peppers, and I laughed, as Mike had ignored my warning one time that he had General Tsos chicken that came with chili peppers. This entrée was just fabulous. It had a perfect degree of spiciness, not too much and not too little, and the sauce had a somewhat grilled/smoky flavor. The celery was cooked perfectly. It all came together so well, and was our favorite part of the meal. The steamed rice that came with all of our entrees was sticky so we could use our chopsticks, and when we asked for more, it came steaming from the kitchen.
Mike and I were brought the ginger ice cream after that, and this was great as well. It had a strong ginger flavor, but not hot and spicy. There were even small pieces of candied ginger in it. Another item I would love to find in a grocery store! Luckily they sell it at the Lotus Blossom Café outside. It was a perfect ending to the meal. We were also brought out tri-colored fortune cookies, which Ive never seen before. According to the ingredients list, the three flavors were chocolate, citrus, and vanilla. The cookies were crisp and not soggy, as Ive had at other restaurants.
The seating we had was in a great location, right up against the far left window (as youre looking from the outside), with a view of the lagoon. If it was time for illuminations, you would even be able to see a part of the show. I was happy about the table we were seated at, as many of the tables are as close together as they are at the San Angel Inn close enough to eat off the plate of the people on either side of you.
The atmosphere was also great the décor was beautiful, and the restaurant was quiet and reserved earlier in the evening. I didnt notice many children, but there were some, and they do have a short childrens menu.
Overall, this was another great meal. We wouldnt hesitate to return, though maybe not until weve made a dent in the list of restaurants left to review! The food was excellent and the service was quick and friendly. I would advise getting there early and asking for a window seat as to avoid being seated within six inches of other tables, though.
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) I must have my H.S.C. fix every time we're at the World. PS - the Shao Mai are to die for too.
