We know many Disney fans also like to travel to Hawaii, often staying at Disney’s Aulani resort, soon they’ll be able to experience the second-ever location of Morimoto Asia. The Pan Asian restaurant concept from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto will open in Waikiki next year. The restaurant will be one of two Morimoto restaurants that will serve as the distinct dining options inside the new Alohilani Resorti in Waikiki. The other restaurant is Momosan, Chef Morimoto’s noodle and ramen restaurant which opened its first location in NYC last year.
“I look forward to having Morimoto Asia Waikiki and Momosan Waikiki at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, especially since the island of Oahu is a very special place to me,” said Chef Morimoto. “The stunning views of the beach and water combined with the two distinct dining options that we will offer provide true culinary destination experiences.”
Morimoto Asia Waikiki, the resort’s signature restaurant, will showcase Chef Morimoto’s unique take on Pan-Asian cuisine. The dinner-only menu will feature a variety of flavors representing China, Korea, Japan, Thailand and other regions of Asia, all with Morimoto’s creative touch. Signature dishes that present Chef’s spin on his favorite Asian flavors will include Peking duck, sticky ribs, lo mein, Korean kalbi, dim sum and traditional wok fry dishes such as kung pao chicken and Thai lobster chow fun.
Located on the second floor of the resort, Morimoto Asia Waikiki will bring an interactive culinary experience to Waikiki Beach, courtesy of a glass-encased exhibition kitchen that will offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into culinary preparations and traditions, and outdoor lanais with views of the world famous beaches and sunsets of Waikiki.
For a fun and casual breakfast, lunch and dinner experience at street level with indoor and outdoor dining options, guests can experience Momosan Waikiki, Chef Morimoto’s ramen and yakitori concept. At Momosan Waikiki, noodles are front and center with an array of flavor-forward ramen varieties to choose from, including tonkotsu ramen, Tokyo chicken ramen, tantan and tsukemen.
The restaurant will also serve playful small plates and signature appetizers including tetsunabe pork gyoza, crispy mimiga (Japanese fried pig ears), buta kimchi and Chef Morimoto’s signature take on garlic shrimp; innovative salads and classic izakaya style rice dishes; and yakitori including salmon and duck. The menu will showcase 20 sake options, six of which are Morimoto signature sake, red and white wines, draught and bottled beer including Japanese-style lager, three Morimoto signature beers in collaboration with Rouge Ales, and a rotating local Hawaiian brew.
The product of a $115 million, head-to-toe transformation of the Pacific Beach Hotel, the all-new Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach will officially debut in December 2017 as Hawaii’s sophisticated modern resort destination in the heart of Waikiki. The resort will feature striking “aloha chic” design from acclaimed New York design and architecture firm Rockwell Group across all 839 guest rooms and suites, a soaring lobby with a 280,000-gallon saltwater oceanarium, five new culinary concepts, a see-and-be-seen destination pool deck, a world-class fitness center, intimate spa, movement studio and more. Residing on land held by the Queen Lili’uokalani Trust, the resort’ new name of Alohilani – Hawaiian for “the heavenly brightness” – was carefully chosen to honor Hawaii’s beloved last reigning monarch.