Yak & Yeti Dinner Review
*This post contains a gluten free and dairy free dinner review. It also includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free options.
Dinner at Yak & Yeti
Yak & Yeti, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, is a table service restaurant owned and operated by the Landry's that serves pan-Asian inspired cuisine. Recently, we stopped by Yak & Yeti for an impromptu dinner at a long day at Galaxy's Edge in Hollywood Studios.
We were staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a staycation and the Animal Kingdom park was a short bus ride away for us -- making it an easy option for us for dinner. We're also Landry's Select Club members. So, while we didn't make reservations in advance, we were seated within 5 minutes of walking into the restaurant. We definitely appreciate this perk of being club members!
Atmosphere
The theme of Yak & Yeti is one of my favorite things about the restaurant. Located in the Asia section of the Animal Kingdom, it's perfectly themed to its location.
The restaurant is supposed to resemble a village home in Anandapur -- the fictional kingdom located there -- that has been converted into a restaurant. From the moment you walk towards the restaurant, you'll be treated to an exceptionally well-themed restaurant.
We have been told on several occasions by cast members at Yak & Yeti that the restaurant contains authentic (along with prop) artifacts from Asia. You'll see lots of really neat items throughout this eclectic eatery.
On our last several visits, we have been seated on the first floor near a variety of Bollywood style posters. I really love this area and all of the detailed touches.
Another feature that I love about Yak & Yeti is that you'll find mix matched tables and chairs. It really lends to a unique and quaint vibe.
Even the tables are beautifully constructed and reflect the mix and match style.
I do always recommend looking up, down, and all-around when you're at Yak & Yeti because there are artifacts and decor in every inch of the restaurant. I also recommend taking a bit of time to look around on both the first and second floors of the restaurant too as the themes and artifacts change throughout.
The Food
Because Yak & Yeti is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, they do not have the standard allergy-friendly menu. At the time of this review, they have a gluten sensitive menu. This menu is a great starting point if you're gluten free. But, if you have celiac disease and/or cross-contamination is a concern, do be sure to speak to a chef directly. Some items on the gluten sensitive menu (like French fries) are not celiac safe.
No matter your special dietary need, I always recommend you speak with a chef directly. They can customize dishes and talk through additional options not listed on the gluten sensitive menu.
Both Brandon and I spoke to the chef about options, and the chef was great at accommodating. Because we've been several times, we both had a good idea of some potential options, which helped.
My favorite dish at Yak & Yeti used to be the Malaysian Seafood Curry dish, which was both gluten free and dairy free. Unfortunately, it's no longer on the menu. So, I asked the chef if it was possible to make the Teriyaki Beef and Shrimp Stir-Fry on their seasonal menu gluten free. Essentially, the chef said she just needed to remove the teriyaki sauce and make a stir-fry with GF tamari instead.
The GF Teriyaki Beef and Shrimp Stir-Fry included flank steak, shrimp, stir-fried vegetables, and pineapple tossed in gluten free soy sauce and coconut-ginger rice. This dish was both gluten free and dairy free.
The flavors in this dish were fantastic. The beef was really tender. And the shrimp was perfectly cooked. The GF soy sauce along with the stir-fried vegetables and pineapple made for a great sauce. It wasn't too sweet, and it wasn't overly salty either. Add in some rice, and you have one excellent dish. I would 100% get this again. In fact, I think I was still raving about how good it was a few days later. After eating this dish, I've already decided we might need to make another visit again soon!
This was the first time we'd eaten at Yak & Yeti since Brandon's peanut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergy diagnoses. So, he was a little nervous about options. Thankfully, the Lo Mein he usually gets was easy to modify. Essentially, he got Beef Lo Mein minus the cabbage. The Lo Mein normally comes with chicken, shrimp, or tofu. But, the chef said it was no problem to substitute beef. She simply omitted cabbage from the dish and added in extra carrots. With these modifications, the dish was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.
Brandon was really pleased with his entree. He said it was just as good as ever. And, he really enjoyed the beef in place of chicken. Like me, he was also raving about how good it was, and we both agreed we'd like to go back soon!
Overall
Both Brandon and I have had really excellent experiences at Yak & Yeti. Of the Landry's restaurants on Disney property, it's by far our favorite. It's also the one where we both feel like we have a lot more options. The chefs at Yak & Yeti do a great job of accommodating. And, the food has been excellent, and plentiful, too. This continues to be our go-to table service restaurant in the Animal Kingdom and whenever we're both craving Asian food (which is hard for both of us to get).
Have you been to Yak & Yeti? What was your experience dining there?