As summer continues, Shanghai Disney Resort has revealed how local farms help provide the ingredients for the dishes that are served at Lumière’s Kitchen. Lumière’s Kitchen has a seasonal menu that utilizes popular fruits and vegetables that are currently in peak harvest season. The seasonal menu is currently available through the end of August. This menu takes guests on a culinary journey through local farms. Take a look below at how this is done.
Local ingredients meet Disney innovation for an unforgettable culinary journey
Shanghai Disney Resort has sought to wow guests with unforgettable experiences by adhering to the concept of “Authentically Disney, Distinctively Chinese.” By combining hyper-local ingredients with a generous dose of Disney magic, this summer’s new menu at Lumière’s Kitchen fully embraces this concept to bring guests a one-of-a-kind culinary experience that simply can’t be found anywhere else.
While fresh farm produce might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Shanghai, the city is indeed home to a rich variety of fruits and vegetables that are prized across the country and beyond. During the summer season, local delights can be enjoyed including the famous Pudong 8424 Watermelon and Nanhui Honey Peach, the unique Chongming Spaghetti Squash and Watermelon-Sanlin, and the delicate Nanhui Luffa, which are all featured in the new seasonal menu at Lumière’s Kitchen, bringing a taste of Shanghai’s agricultural bounty to the dining table.
At Shanghai Disney Resort, the team of chefs designed this season’s menu so that every local ingredient is incorporated when at its prime. While being prepared by the resort’s chefs, these ingredients transform into mouth-watering, limited-edition dishes that can further bring to life these local delicacies that guests from all around the world can enjoy.
Five local ingredients conjured into over thirty seasonal delights
This summer, more than thirty unique dishes made from seasonal farm produce are available at Lumière’s Kitchen. With each ingredient creatively put to use in more than one dish, guests will be sure to find a dish that whets their appetite, while also experiencing different interpretations of these local specialties.
The Pudong 8424 Watermelon is a national treasure famed for its thin rind, crisp texture, and sweet juicy interior. Using this refreshing sweetness as a base, the Disney chefs have created a whole menu of delicious desserts around the Pudong Watermelon, including Watermelon Cream Mochi, Watermelon Mousse Cake, Watermelon Tart, and Watermelon Shake. Thanks to the ingenious minds of the Disney chefs, even those without a sweet tooth can enjoy this unique fruit too. Innovative dishes like the Watermelon Thick Omelet and Stir-fried Pork with Watermelon Skin helps to bring out the natural flavor and texture of watermelon in a new way.
When it comes to local ingredients, nothing could be more local than the lovable peach. As a descendent of the original peach, Nanhui Honey Peach are loved just as much today for their juicy taste, soft texture, and beautiful pink hue. At Shanghai Disney Resort, these characteristics are brought into play across dishes like Roasted Stuffed Pork Loin with Honey Peach, Roasted Chicken Leg with Pan-fried Peach, and Honey Peach Salad, as well as desserts like Honey Peach Roll Cake, Honey Peach Mochi, Honey Peach Panna Cotta, and Peach Collins — each adding a sweet touch to any dining table.
Another standout ingredient that is guaranteed to make any foodie’s photos pop is the Pudong-native Watermelon-Sanlin. Instantly recognizable thanks to its bright gold flesh, like its cousin the Pudong Watermelon, the Watermelon-Sanlin also packs a burst of sweetness into every bite. Both taste and appearance are brought to the forefront in tantalizing snacks like the Watermelon Avocado Yogurt Cereal Cup, Watermelon Purple Rice & Coconut Jelly, Watermelon Macaron, and the Watermelon Crepe with Chocolate Sauce and Madagascar Cream. For those looking for a healthy option this summer, dishes like Stir-fried Pork with Sanlin Watermelon Skin, and the Watermelon Salad, make for healthier summer meal options that are every bit delicious as they are eye-catching.
Then, the Chongming spaghetti squash offers a crunchy texture and refreshing taste, making it a versatile ingredient that pairs well with seafood in summer specials, such as the Clams with Spaghetti Squash. Fans of Shanghai staples like scallion oil noodles and fried radish cakes can also enjoy a unique twist on these classics with dishes like Tossed Spaghetti Squash with Scallion and Deep-fried Spaghetti Squash Cakes.
Finally, there is the Nanhui Luffa, a zucchini-like vegetable that is rich in fibre and vitamin C. To complement the mellow sweetness of the luffa, Disney chefs have paired the vegetable with rich seafood flavors such as clams, shrimps, and even peppered beef tongue, to create a medley of delicious Chinese-style dishes. Whether it’s the Cold Luffa with Orchid Clam, Clams and Luffa in Soup with Shrimps, Fried Luffa with Shrimps, Stewed Seafood with Luffa in Golden Soup, Stir-fried Luffa with Fish Puff Ball, or Sichuan Pepper Beef Tongue and Luffa, each dish authentically showcases the unique flavor of Nanhui Luffa while offering a diverse selection for guests to choose.
To ensure all ingredients are only used during their prime, each dish will only be available at the resort for a limited time only, with the exact availability and timing to be determined based on the supply and quality of local produce. For guests, this means an extra seasonal surprise during each visit to Lumière’s Kitchen, featuring only the freshest and most in-season ingredients.
Supporting local agriculture for healthier communities
Since its Grand Opening eight years ago, Shanghai Disney Resort has continued to bring high quality and unforgettable experiences to tens of millions of guests. Alongside the creation of innovative entertainment experiences filled with iconic Disney storytelling, the resort has also continued to support and empower local development through its active role in the local community. By selecting and using local specialty farm products, the resort is able to create new markets for local produce and support local communities and the development of agriculture in Shanghai. At the same time, these local products give guests from across the country and around the world the chance to try entirely new ingredients and flavors as part of their “Authentically Disney, Distinctly Chinese” experience.
As the arrival of summer reaches full swing, local produce from Shanghai is ripe for the picking! From now until the end of August, Shanghai Disney Resort is proud to serve up seasonal delights from the farm to the Disney table, inviting guests to experience truly local tastes that are guaranteed to add another touch of summer magic to their visit!
