Masaharu Morimoto facts for kids
Masaharu Morimoto in 2004
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| Born | May 26, 1955 Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan |
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| Cooking style | Japanese Fusion |
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Current restaurant(s)
Morimoto, Wasabi, Morimoto XEX. Morimoto at Camino Real Hotel in Polanco, Mexico City, Momosan
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Television show(s)
Iron Chef, Iron Chef America, The Next Iron Chef, Hawaii Five-0, Hell's Kitchen, Morimoto's Sushi Master
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Masaharu Morimoto (森本 正治, Morimoto Masaharu, born May 26, 1955) is a famous Japanese chef. He is best known for being an Iron Chef on the exciting TV cooking show Iron Chef in Japan. He also appeared on its American version, Iron Chef America. Chef Morimoto is famous for his special and creative way of serving food.
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Chef Morimoto's Career Journey
Morimoto was born in Hiroshima, Japan. He learned how to make sushi and traditional Kaiseki dishes there. Kaiseki is a fancy Japanese meal with many small courses. In 1980, he opened his very own restaurant in Hiroshima.
He became interested in Western cooking styles. So, in 1985, he sold his restaurant and traveled across the United States. This trip helped him create his unique "fusion style" of cooking. Fusion cooking mixes different food traditions.
Working in New York City
Morimoto settled in New York City. He worked at some very fancy restaurants in Manhattan. He was the head chef at the Sony Club. This club was for the executive staff and important guests of Sony Corporation. He also worked as the head chef at the well-known Japanese restaurant Nobu.
While working at Nobu, he got his big break on the Iron Chef TV show. After Iron Chef stopped its weekly run in 1999, he left Nobu. He then teamed up with Starr Restaurants. In 2001, he opened his own restaurant called Morimoto in Philadelphia.
Expanding His Restaurants
His first new Morimoto restaurant opened in Chelsea, New York City. This restaurant had a special design by architect Tadao Ando.
Chef Morimoto has opened many Morimoto restaurants worldwide. He has restaurants in Mumbai and New Delhi, India, called Wasabi. In July 2010, he opened a Morimoto restaurant in Napa Valley, California. Then, in October 2010, he opened one in Waikiki, Hawaii. Another Hawaii location opened in Maui in October 2013. The Waikiki location closed in 2016. However, in 2018, he announced new restaurants for that area. These included branches of his Morimoto Asia and Momosan chains.
Morimoto also owns Morimoto XEX in Tokyo, Japan. This restaurant has separate floors for Teppanyaki and sushi. Teppanyaki is a style of cooking food on a large iron griddle. Morimoto XEX even earned a Michelin star in 2008. A Michelin star is a very high award for restaurants.
In September 2015, Morimoto opened Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World in Florida. In April 2016, he opened Momosan Ramen & Sake in New York City. Ramen is a popular Japanese noodle soup. In October 2016, Morimoto Las Vegas opened inside the MGM Grand hotel. In October 2021, Momosan Ramen Boston opened in Boston, Massachusetts.
Recently, in December 2023, Morimoto by Sea opened on a cruise ship, the Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam. This restaurant offers modern pan-Asian food. It has many vegetarian and vegan choices too. Some special dishes include Morimoto Fresh Tuna Pizza and Angry Lobster Pad Thai.
Becoming an Iron Chef
Chef Morimoto is very famous for his role as an Iron Chef. He appeared on the original Japanese Iron Chef TV show. His official record on Iron Chef was 16 wins, 7 losses, and 1 tie.
On Iron Chef, he wore a silver uniform with red trim. It had a picture of the Japanese and American flags tied together. On Iron Chef America, he wore the standard blue Iron Chef uniform. It had a Japanese flag patch on his sleeve. In his daily life, he wears glasses to look different from his TV character.
Morimoto was not sure about becoming an Iron Chef at first. But he accepted because he worried someone else would get the spot. He became known for his surprising and creative dishes. For example, he once made Bell Pepper Sushi! He often drank Coca-Cola while cooking on the show. One time, he even mixed it with nattō (fermented soybeans) to make a dessert.
Memorable Battles
Morimoto competed in the first-ever sushi battle on Iron Chef in 1999. He won that battle. He also had some famous rivalries. One was with the "Ohta Faction" of Japanese chefs. They tried to beat the Iron Chefs. Morimoto lost to them once, but then tied and won another battle.
He also had a famous rivalry with American chef Bobby Flay. In their first battle in New York, Morimoto famously said Flay was "not a chef." This was because Flay stood on his chopping board after cooking. Morimoto won that battle. Flay felt the cooking space was unfair. So, they had a rematch in Japan, which Flay won. Later, both became Iron Chefs on Iron Chef America. They faced off two more times there.
Iron Chef America Appearances
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Morimoto was one of only two original Iron Chefs to appear on Iron Chef America: Battle of the Masters. He lost two battles but won a team battle. When Iron Chef America became a regular series, Morimoto joined as an Iron Chef.
During the show, his voice is often dubbed by an American voice actor during judging. But when he speaks English while cooking, it's his own voice. His conversations with his sous-chefs (assistant chefs) in Japanese are shown with subtitles.
In 2007, he released his first cookbook. It was called Morimoto: The Art of New Japanese Cooking. As of October 2021, his record on Iron Chef America was 26 wins, 17 losses, and 1 tie. His total record for both Iron Chef shows is 41 wins, 21 losses, and 2 ties.
Morimoto has also appeared as a guest judge on The Next Iron Chef.
Other TV Shows and Guest Roles
Chef Morimoto has appeared on many other TV shows.
- In 2010, he was on the American version of Hell's Kitchen. He taught the contestants how to make sushi.
- He was a guest judge on Top Chef in Season 8 and Season 21. On Season 21, he cooked for the chefs and talked about his work with Holland America Line cruise ships.
- In 2016, he was a guest on Masterchef Italia. He helped judge Japanese dishes made by the contestants.
- Morimoto has also appeared as himself on the TV show Hawaii Five-0. This show is filmed in Hawaii.
- He was a guest judge on MasterChef (American version) in Season 10.
- In 2022, The Roku Channel ordered a cooking show called Morimoto's Sushi Master. Chef Morimoto is the main judge on this show.
Helping Others: Charity Work
In April 2011, Morimoto sang at a special event. This event, called the Thousand Hearts Benefit, raised money to help people after an earthquake in Japan.
Awards and Recognition
- He was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of the best chefs.
Images for kids
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Masaharu Morimoto in 2004
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Interior of Morimoto Restaurant in Philadelphia, 2003
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Morimoto at work in 2002
See also
In Spanish: Masaharu Morimoto para niños
