Oriental Plaza

The Logbook — Real Guest Soundings

Depth Sounding: This is a composite account from multiple guest experiences, edited to our venue standards for clarity. Individual sailings vary by ship, itinerary, and crew.

Oriental Plaza Review: Pan-Asian Flavors in the Promenade

Introduction. Oriental Plaza is MSC's casual Asian-inspired dining venue, found aboard Grandiosa and select ships. It occupies a promenade-facing space and serves a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and pan-Asian dishes at a la carte pricing or as part of a specialty dining package. For guests seeking Asian flavors without the full specialty restaurant commitment, it offers a middle ground between the buffet's Asian station and dedicated venues like Indochine.

Food & Drinks

The dim sum selection is the menu's strongest offering — steamed har gow (shrimp dumplings) arrive translucent and properly bouncy, while the siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings) are well-seasoned and generously filled. The chicken satay with peanut sauce makes a reliable starter. Wok-fried noodles with shrimp and vegetables have decent wok hei (smoky char) and good vegetable crunch. The sweet and sour chicken is a crowd-pleaser, if somewhat predictable. Where it falls short: some dishes lean toward a Europeanized interpretation of Asian cuisine — the kung pao chicken lacks the numbing Sichuan pepper heat of the authentic version, and the fried rice can be oily rather than properly wok-tossed. Sushi, where offered, is basic and cannot compete with dedicated Japanese venues. The miso soup is adequate but thin. Tea service is a highlight — properly brewed jasmine and oolong options that reflect genuine attention to the Asian tea tradition.

Service

Service is efficient and friendly, with staff who can explain the menu and recommend dishes. The pace is quicker than a full specialty restaurant, reflecting the venue's casual positioning. During promenade peak hours, service can feel rushed as the small space handles more covers than intended. The team accommodates spice-level requests willingly.

Atmosphere

The promenade-facing location gives Oriental Plaza an open, lively feel — you're dining in the flow of ship life, which is either energizing or distracting depending on your preference. Asian-inspired design elements (lanterns, screen dividers, bamboo accents) create a visual identity, though the open setting prevents the immersive atmosphere of a dedicated specialty restaurant. It works well for a casual lunch or early dinner.

Conclusion

Rating: 3.7/5. Oriental Plaza serves its purpose well — the dim sum is genuinely enjoyable, the tea service shows care, and the casual promenade setting makes it an easy drop-in option. It loses marks for dishes that lean too European in their Asian interpretation and a sushi offering that can't compete with dedicated venues. Tip: focus on the dim sum and wok noodles, skip the sushi, and pair everything with a pot of jasmine tea — it's the most authentic part of the experience.

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