diff --git a/src/lib/menu/_menu-theme.scss b/src/lib/menu/_menu-theme.scss
index 667a4f5991ca..b6175bc31ad7 100644
--- a/src/lib/menu/_menu-theme.scss
+++ b/src/lib/menu/_menu-theme.scss
@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@
     color: mat-color($foreground, 'text');
 
     &[disabled] {
-      color: mat-color($foreground, 'disabled');
+      &, &::after {
+        color: mat-color($foreground, 'disabled');
+      }
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/menu/menu-item.ts b/src/lib/menu/menu-item.ts
index d4062f9d4db9..5f2430c10743 100644
--- a/src/lib/menu/menu-item.ts
+++ b/src/lib/menu/menu-item.ts
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export const _MatMenuItemMixinBase = mixinDisableRipple(mixinDisabled(MatMenuIte
     '[attr.aria-disabled]': 'disabled.toString()',
     '[attr.disabled]': 'disabled || null',
     '(click)': '_checkDisabled($event)',
-    '(mouseenter)': '_emitHoverEvent()',
+    '(mouseenter)': '_handleMouseEnter()',
   },
   changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   encapsulation: ViewEncapsulation.None,
@@ -121,10 +121,8 @@ export class MatMenuItem extends _MatMenuItemMixinBase
   }
 
   /** Emits to the hover stream. */
-  _emitHoverEvent() {
-    if (!this.disabled) {
-      this._hovered.next(this);
-    }
+  _handleMouseEnter() {
+    this._hovered.next(this);
   }
 
   /** Gets the label to be used when determining whether the option should be focused. */
diff --git a/src/lib/menu/menu-trigger.ts b/src/lib/menu/menu-trigger.ts
index 86a1a6a89da4..82f6c91ddb89 100644
--- a/src/lib/menu/menu-trigger.ts
+++ b/src/lib/menu/menu-trigger.ts
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ export class MatMenuTrigger implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
     if (this.triggersSubmenu()) {
       // Subscribe to changes in the hovered item in order to toggle the panel.
       this._hoverSubscription = this._parentMenu._hovered()
-          .pipe(filter(active => active === this._menuItemInstance))
+          .pipe(filter(active => active === this._menuItemInstance && !active.disabled))
           .subscribe(() => {
             this._openedByMouse = true;
             this.openMenu();
diff --git a/src/lib/menu/menu.spec.ts b/src/lib/menu/menu.spec.ts
index 5a0e01d1914c..b0067f03f72e 100644
--- a/src/lib/menu/menu.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/menu/menu.spec.ts
@@ -910,6 +910,57 @@ describe('MatMenu', () => {
             .toBe(1, 'Expected one open menu');
       }));
 
+      it('should close submenu when hovering over disabled sibling item', fakeAsync(() => {
+        compileTestComponent();
+        instance.rootTriggerEl.nativeElement.click();
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        tick(500);
+
+        const items = fixture.debugElement.queryAll(By.directive(MatMenuItem));
+
+        dispatchFakeEvent(items[0].nativeElement, 'mouseenter');
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        tick(500);
+
+        expect(overlay.querySelectorAll('.mat-menu-panel').length)
+            .toBe(2, 'Expected two open menus');
+
+        items[1].componentInstance.disabled = true;
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        // Invoke the handler directly since the fake events are flaky on disabled elements.
+        items[1].componentInstance._handleMouseEnter();
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        tick(500);
+
+        expect(overlay.querySelectorAll('.mat-menu-panel').length)
+            .toBe(1, 'Expected one open menu');
+      }));
+
+    it('should not open submenu when hovering over disabled trigger', fakeAsync(() => {
+      compileTestComponent();
+      instance.rootTriggerEl.nativeElement.click();
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(500);
+
+      expect(overlay.querySelectorAll('.mat-menu-panel').length)
+          .toBe(1, 'Expected one open menu');
+
+      const item = fixture.debugElement.query(By.directive(MatMenuItem));
+
+      item.componentInstance.disabled = true;
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      // Invoke the handler directly since the fake events are flaky on disabled elements.
+      item.componentInstance._handleMouseEnter();
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(500);
+
+      expect(overlay.querySelectorAll('.mat-menu-panel').length)
+          .toBe(1, 'Expected to remain at one open menu');
+    }));
+
+
     it('should open a nested menu when its trigger is clicked', () => {
       compileTestComponent();
       instance.rootTriggerEl.nativeElement.click();