BEST Asian Food on Carnival Panorama? Bonsai Sushi, JiJi’s Asian Kitchen - And a FREE Lunch Hack
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
We found a couple fairly inexpensive specially Asian restaurants on board.
Bonsai Sushi is not free, but also it's not crazy expensive either.
This might be one of the best free lunches you can find at sea.
We really enjoyed our experience here at Zezy's.
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Have you ever searched the buffet on a Carnival cruise ship hoping to find made to order Asian food, only to come up empty? On Carnival Panorama, we went looking beyond the buffet lines and found two specialty spots that completely changed the game: Bonsai Sushi and JiJi’s Asian Kitchen. Howdy, this is George the Fearless Rambler, and today in this new video we take you on a full flavor adventure across the ship, from beautifully plated sushi boats to sizzling stir fry, and even show you how to score a free Asian lunch most cruisers overlook. We start at Bonsai Sushi, Carnival Panorama’s dedicated sushi restaurant that feels like stepping into a calm, soy scented escape from the busy Lido deck. No buffet trays. No heat lamps. Just soft lighting, Japanese inspired décor, and a menu packed with classic rolls, specialty creations, sashimi, ramen, soups, and even desserts like yuzu custard. If you think cruise ship sushi cannot impress, this spot might surprise you. We try miso soup with tofu, a comforting bowl of ramen with rich broth, and several sushi rolls including the popular Bang Bang Bonsai roll. For a true presentation piece, we ordered the Carnival Ship for Two sushi boat, served on a decorative wooden vessel that turns dinner into an experience. The sushi was fresh, well made, and a welcome break from burgers and fries. It is not complimentary dining, and prices have gone up, but using onboard credit for a treat like this makes it feel like a smart splurge. Then we head to JiJi’s Asian Kitchen on deck 11, and this is where the real insider tip comes in. At dinner, JiJi’s Kitchen is a specialty restaurant featuring family style Asian inspired dishes with bold flavors and shareable plates. At lunch, it transforms into a complimentary made to order noodle and stir fry venue. You choose your protein, vegetables, noodles, and sauce, and the kitchen prepares it fresh. The lunch menu is smaller than dinner, but the flavor and quality are impressive for a free option at sea. For dinner, JiJis Kitchen delivers a full service experience with warm lighting, Asian artwork, and a relaxed atmosphere that encourages you to slow down. The menu is designed for sharing, so you order multiple dishes for the table. We enjoyed basmati fried rice, Hakka noodles, kung pao chicken, sweet and sour shrimp, and more. The sauces were rich without being overwhelming, and everything arrived hot and fresh. Portions are generous, so come hungry. Dessert keeps the theme going with options like rose crème brûlée, fried wontons, and caramelized crepes. By the end of the meal, we were completely satisfied and agreed the specialty dinner price was worth it for the experience, service, and quality. If you are cruising on Carnival Panorama and craving Asian cuisine beyond what the buffet offers, this video shows you exactly where to go, what to order, what it costs, and how to take advantage of the free lunch hack at JiJi’s Asian Kitchen. If you enjoy cruise food reviews, ship tours, dining tips, and honest opinions about what is worth the extra money onboard, subscribe to Fearless Rambler and come along for the next adventure. This is George the Fearless Rambler, always on the hunt for the next great bite at sea.. Which one would YOU choose: JiJi Asian Kitchen or Bonsai Sushi? Let me know in the comments! ___________________ Join this channel to get access to special perks: https://www.youtube.com/c/FearlessRambler/join __________________ Buy me a Dr. Pepper or Leave a Tip: https://streamelements.com/fearlessrambler/tip __________________ Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/fearlessrambler https://www.facebook.com/FearlessRambler e-mail: fearlessrambler@gmail.com YouTube: @FearlessRambler __________________ Send Me a Postcard: P.O. Box 552 Willard, UT 84340 __________________ - Filmed by: @FearlessRambler - Location: Mexico Riviera, Carnival Cruise Line, Panorama, CCL - Video type: Cruise, food, adventurous activities - Produced by: Fearless Rambler Studios #carnivalcruise #carnivalcruiseline #cruisefood #travelvlog #cruising ___________________ Chapters 00:00 Specialty Dining on Carnival 00:54 Bonsai Sushi Restaurant 01:29 Bonsai Sushi Menu 02:03 Shiro Miso Soup 02:27 Noodle Bowl 03:18 Sushi Prep 03:49 Ship for 2 (sushi Boat) 05:42 Overview and Review 06:02 JiJi Asian Kitchen for Lunch 06:18 JiJi Lunch Menu 06:43 Ji Ji's Asian Kitchen for Dinner 07:39 JiJi's Dinner Menu 08:17 Appetizers 09:40 Ji Ji Dinner Side 10:54 Main Courses 11:33 Desert near me 12:05 Is Ji jis worth it?