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.

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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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.

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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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.”

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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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.

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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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.

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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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.

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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Morimoto Peking duck hangs in the kitchen, ready to be sliced and served.

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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Dessert were served and a favorite was the housemade churros.

 
Morimoto Asia Opens at Disney Springs with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

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Chef Mickey with Chef Morimoto

 
Morimoto Asia
1600 Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
(Disney Springs)
www.morimotoasia.com

Facebook.com/MorimotoAsia
Twitter.com/MorimotoOrlando
Instagram.com/MorimotoAsia

 
Foreward by Julius Mayo Jr.
All content and photos © Droolius.com 2015

Disclaimer: Droolius.com was invited as media to attend this event. I was not compensated to write this post and all opinions are always my own.

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