Impressive new venues continue to open at Disney Springs, including a stunning new restaurant in the heart of The Landing. Morimoto Asia is the elegant vision of Chef Masaharu Morimoto, widely recognized as one of Food Network’s most imaginative and meticulous Iron Chefs. He delights television audiences and judges with his beautiful creations, and now, visitors to Disney Springs can taste his masterpieces.
The food at Morimoto Asia is top quality pan-Asian cuisine, from Chinese dim sum (steamed buns) to made-to-order sushi with Chef Morimoto’s renditions of Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Malay dishes as well. The menu balances traditional items with unexpected tastes like the Tuna Pizza: crispy tortilla topped with tuna sashimi, tomato, jalapeno and anchovy aioli. The variety allows for a customizable experience, whether you want to keep it light with appetizers and sushi or go all out with a whole roasted Peking Duck.
There are offerings for every preference and appetite. The restaurant suggests beer pairings for many of its dishes, as well as wine, specialty cocktails and an array of sake, including Chef Morimoto’s own brand.
Stepping into Morimoto Asia is like entering into a ritzy Tokyo lounge, with long, clean lines, intriguing architectural features, a clear view into the pristine kitchen and nuanced lighting throughout every corner of the restaurant. The two-story establishment features two bar areas, a dining room with a view into the kitchen, waterside seating and sushi bar.
Although well-known favorites appear on the Morimoto Asia menu, some dishes may be unfamiliar. Approaching new cuisines can be both exciting and intimidating, especially in a setting as upscale as Morimoto Asia. The staff is knowledgeable and willing to offer suggestions and answer questions about the varied menu. Our server was courteous and attentive, occasionally checking with us to make sure everything was to our liking. We were even visited briefly by one of the general managers, ensuring that we were enjoying our evening at the restaurant.
With a higher price tag than many of the other dining options at Disney Springs, falling in the same price range as The BOATHOUSE, we were unsure of whether we would be getting our money’s worth at Morimoto Asia or if we were simply paying an upcharge for the Iron Chef’s name. We were pleased to discover that although, yes, it is on the expensive side, the cuisine lived up to our expectations, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was unmatched. We even picked up a few tips for getting the most out of our visit. The restaurant was busy with a significant wait when we arrived, but we were seated immediately by checking upstairs at the sushi bar. The sushi bar turned out to be the best of both worlds as we were able to order from the full menu while having the sushi chef right in front of us to prepare our selections and offer suggestions and insight into the ingredients he used. Our server was an invaluable resource as we reviewed the menu. The recommendations from both our server and the sushi chef satisfied our cravings and pushed us to try new combinations we would not have thought to choose on our own.
With its remarkable ambience and exquisite food, Morimoto Asia is sure to become a top spot for a romantic night out away from the tadpoles or special occasion dining. And who knows, perhaps you will spot the Iron Chef himself working in the kitchen or overseeing his newest establishment.
With so many new choices from Morimoto Asia to THE BOATHOUSE, the reopening of old favorites such as Paradiso 37, and more to come, Disney Springs has already become a must-visit destination. What are you most excited to experience?
Related: Guide to Disney Springs
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