I have often said that Epcot's Sunshine Seasons counter service location is one of the best "food court" style restaurants in any of the four Disney/Orlando theme parks. Easily on the short list of top three quick service locations that you should try while you're here. It occurred to me the other day though… that while I praise the location for its options, I almost always gravitate to the "grill shop" station and either the Salmon or Pork entrees.

I honestly don't think I have ever tried anything from the "Asian Noodles" station because the China and Japan pavilions at Epcot both have really great counter service options in their own right. Why not just go right to the country?

In the interest of trying something new, I sat down with a giant cardboard boat of "Mongolian Beef with Vegetable Fried Rice" from the "Noodles Shop" at Sunshine Seasons… and you know what? I was really, pleasantly surprised at just how simple, and unique this entree is, in the world of Oriental cuisine.

Usually (when you think of fast-food style oriental), I think there's a "sauce craveability" factor that kicks in. Sometimes a really good teriyaki, mandarin, or even a simple soy-based flavor is what you're really looking for, and we sometimes overlook the other things going on in the dish. The protein, noodles and veggies become a vehicle for just getting some of that savory sauce going.

The Sunshine Seasons version of "Mongolian Beef" didn't have any of that. What did come through, was an almost garden-like take on this classic Asian entree, which fits the theme of The Land pavilion quite well. For the first time in a long time, I could taste the vegetables and the actual fresh noodles. The beef was slightly flavored with some combination of the traditional five spices, but nothing overpowered the vegetable notes that came through in every bit. It really was a different, unexpected, and delicious item.

At $12.99, it's right up there with the oak grilled items, but the portion size was very decent, so (comparatively speaking) it's priced about right. The beef is clearly not "sirloin tip" quality, but it's on par, or slightly higher quality beef than other fast-food franchise proteins.

So now that I have some personal experience with the Asian Noodles Station at Sunshine Seasons… my recommendation still stands. This long time guest favorite will stay at the top of my "must visit counter services" restaurants list. Not just because one or two specific items are great… but because just about anything you try here is just slightly more creative and executed at a higher quality level than many of the other food-court dining spots in any of the four Disney parks.

Don't forget to leave room for dessert while you're here… the "bakery shop" rarely disappoints, and always has a couple of seasonal treats available, along with some legends like the Strawberry Shortcake and Chocolate Mousse Cake.