Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto – Video & Photos

The Orlando restaurant scene just stepped up its game with the grand opening of Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is evolving his skills as a restaurateur by opening his first pan-Asian dining experience at Morimoto Asia. This restaurant concept is a collaboration between Chef Morimoto and the Patina Restaurant Group, showcasing flavors from across Asia with an emphasis on China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand.

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Our resident videographer, Thomas Babiarz of TomimotoFilms, attended the event for us and took some great photos and even created an awesome video of the opening event. Watch Chef Morimoto sing a song, break down an entire tuna, and create a 60 foot maki sushi roll with media attendees.

Words and video by Thomas Babiarz
Photos by Chavy Babiarz

Video:

Video by TomimotoFilms

Link to video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0thHdZe2B7k

On September 29th, Masaharu Morimoto opened the doors of his newest culinary adventure, Morimoto Asia, for a special media preview. Morimoto Asia is located in the heart of the officially renamed Disney Springs in Orlando, FL. Iron Chef Morimoto promptly opened the event with a Taiko Drum session followed by lion dancers and a welcoming song performed by himself. Chef Mickey also made an appearance to begin the festivities.

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It isn’t a celebration unless Chef Morimoto shares a sake toast with the crowd. He asks everyone to say kanpai (乾杯) which means “empty cup.”

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The food represents the flavors of asian cuisine with a twist from Morimoto’s perspective.

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The ambiance and decor of Morimoto Asia really transformed what used to be Mannequins and 8-Trax.

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Chinese dim sum is served here. We sampled the chicken shumai which is a steamed dumpling that also included mushrooms.

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The orange chicken was lightly battered and not overly sweet. It was nice to experience such a popular dish prepared with influences seen in Japanese cuisine.

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Morimoto Asia showcases the flavors of his “pan-Asian” cuisine. The tuna pizza and rock shrimp tempura were some of our must-try dishes.

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Morimoto’s staff presented a 100 pound tuna to the crowd.

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Chef Morimoto’s electric personality shines through as he poses for a photo with this massive tuna.

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Morimoto demonstrates his carving technique that he learned while training in Hiroshima, Japan.

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The tuna that Chef Morimoto carved was used to create a 60 foot maki roll.

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The second floor features a 14-seat sushi bar to enjoy the specialty sushi rolls and sashimi.

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Sushi menu items include toro, kanpachi, Japanese red snapper, uni, sea eel, hamachi, fluke, salmon, plus more sushi and sashimi options from around the world. A variety of specialty sushi rolls and selections from the raw bar are also offered to the guests not seated at the sushi counter.