Masaharu Morimoto
Masaharu Morimoto | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Hiroshima, Japan |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, television personality |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Known for | Iron Chef, Iron Chef America, fusion cuisine |
is a renowned Japanese culinary expert, widely recognized for his role as an Iron Chef on the Japanese television series Iron Chef and its American adaptation, Iron Chef America. He is also noted for his unique approach to food presentation.
Career
Originating from Hiroshima, Morimoto received training in both sushi and traditional Kaiseki cooking, launching his own establishment there in 1980. Inspired by Western culinary techniques, he sold this restaurant in 1985 and traveled to the United States, where he crafted his signature fusion cuisine. He built his reputation in New York City, serving as executive chef at Sony Club and later as head chef at the prestigious Japanese dining venue Nobu.
Following his tenure at Nobu, Morimoto made his debut on Iron Chef. In 2001, he collaborated with Starr Restaurants to open Morimoto in Philadelphia. He then expanded to Chelsea, Manhattan, with a venue designed by architect Tadao Ando alongside Goto Design Group. His international footprint includes Wasabi restaurants in Mumbai and New Delhi, as well as numerous Morimoto locations worldwide.
In July 2010, Morimoto launched a flagship restaurant in Napa Valley, followed by openings in Waikiki (2010) and Maui (2013). Although the Waikiki branch closed in 2016, it was succeeded by new outlets of his Morimoto Asia and Momosan brands in 2018.
November 2012 saw the introduction of Tribeca Canvas in New York, featuring Asian-inspired American comfort dishes. Due to unfavorable reviews and sluggish patronage, it temporarily closed for renovations before reopening as Bisutoro in October 2013 with traditional bistro cuisine; however, it ceased operations again in January 2014.
In Tokyo, Morimoto operates Morimoto XEX, which offers distinct Teppanyaki and sushi dining areas and earned a Michelin star in the 2008 Tokyo Michelin Guide. He has also appeared on multiple Iron Chef spin-offs and collaborated with Rogue Ales from Oregon to create specialty beers.
In 2005, Morimoto teamed up with Paul Ardaji through Ardaji Restaurant Ventures to develop an Asian bistro named PauliMotos Asian Bistro; this project ultimately did not succeed due to failure in securing $20 million for expansion.
On February 5, 2014, Morimoto acquired Japonais in Chicago, rebranding it as Japonais by Morimoto. The restaurant closed in October 2015 amid management conflicts.
September 2015 marked the debut of the Pan-Asian eatery Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs in Florida.
In April 2016, Momosan Ramen & Sake opened on Lexington Avenue in New York City.
October 2016 witnessed the launch of Morimoto Las Vegas located within MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip.
In October 2021, he unveiled Momosan Ramen Boston at The Hub on Causeway.
December 2023 introduced Morimoto by Sea, a modern pan-Asian restaurant aboard Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam, offering vegetarian and vegan selections.
Most recently, July 2025 saw the opening of MM by Morimoto in Montclair, New Jersey, specializing in Japanese-American fusion dishes such as tuna pizza and A5 Wagyu carpaccio.
Iron Chef
Morimoto's official record on Iron Chef stands at 16 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw.
His attire consisted of a silver ensemble with red accents, prominently displaying a combined emblem of the Japanese and American flags. On Iron Chef America, he wore the customary blue uniform adorned with a Japanese flag patch. Morimoto is also recognized professionally for wearing glasses, which he chooses for stylistic reasons.
In contrast to his predecessor Koumei Nakamura, Morimoto entered the competition quietly following Nakamura’s retirement. His selection was based on his expertise in fusion cuisine and extensive international culinary background. Initially hesitant to accept the Iron Chef role, he was concerned that the producers might select another chef. Morimoto gained a reputation for innovative dishes, such as his Bell Pepper Sushi during a 1999 sushi showdown. He is known to sip Coca-Cola while cooking and once crafted a dessert featuring Coca-Cola combined with nattō.
Morimoto secured victory in the inaugural sushi battle at Kitchen Stadium (1999) against Keiji Nakazawa, utilizing five key ingredients including tuna and Anago. He became a target of Tadamichi Ohta’s "Ohta Faction," which suffered three defeats before achieving one win against him. After two losses in succession, Morimoto managed a draw and subsequently defeated Yusuke Yamashita from the Ohta faction in a cod roe and scallion-themed contest.
During his initial encounter with Bobby Flay in New York, Morimoto criticized Flay’s culinary approach but emerged victorious. Flay disputed the outcome citing equipment malfunctions and injuries. Their rematch took place in Japan with Japanese lobster as the featured ingredient; this time Flay claimed the win. Both chefs later became Iron Chefs on Iron Chef America, where Morimoto bested Flay in the 2009 Holiday Ice Battle. A fourth competition aired in 2012, where Flay and Marcela Valladolid narrowly overcame Morimoto and Andrew Zimmern in a sea whistle salmon challenge.
Iron Chef America
Morimoto and Hiroyuki Sakai were the only original Iron Chefs featured on Iron Chef America: Battle of the Masters. In this Food Network special, Morimoto lost two battles against American Iron Chefs Mario Batali and Wolfgang Puck, but triumphed in a tag-team match alongside Bobby Flay against Batali and Sakai.
When Iron Chef America transitioned into a regular series, production shifted from Los Angeles to New York. Morimoto stepped in for Puck when he was unavailable. During judging segments, Morimoto’s voice is typically dubbed by American voiceover artist Joe Cipriano; however, his English spoken during battles remains undubbed, with Japanese conversations with sous-chefs subtitled. In 2007, Morimoto released his debut cookbook titled Morimoto: The Art of New Japanese Cooking.
As of October 2021, Morimoto holds a record of 26 wins, 17 losses, and 1 draw on Iron Chef America, combining to an overall tally of 41 wins, 21 losses, and 2 draws across both Iron Chef series.
In late 2008, Morimoto launched a restaurant at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, dedicating significant effort to its successful establishment.
He has also appeared as a guest judge on The Next Iron Chef.
Other television appearances
In 1999, Masaharu Morimoto appeared alongside Rokusaburo Michiba on Resep Oke Rudy, which aired on RCTI and was supported by Media Partner Tabloid Wanita Indonesia.
During the 2010 season of the American Hell's Kitchen, Morimoto instructed contestants on sushi preparation, which they were then required to replicate.
Morimoto served as Guest Judge during Season 8 of Top Chef, where finalist Antonia Lofaso prepared him a traditional Japanese meal. He returned for Season 21 to cook dinner for finalists aboard a cruise ship while discussing his global fish initiative with Holland America Line, for whom he acts as an ambassador.
In 2016, he appeared as a guest judge on the sixth season of MasterChef Italia, assessing contestants’ skills in preparing Japanese cuisine.
Morimoto portrayed himself on CBS’s Hawaii Five-0, filmed in Hawaii; his first appearance was in season 1 episode "Ma Ke Kahakai."
He was also Guest Judge during Season 10 of MasterChef for the King of the Crabs challenge.
Morimoto featured in the 4 Million Subscriber Special episode of Binging with Babish, where he prepared fugu for Andrew Rea’s “death sandwich.”
In November 2022, The Roku Channel commissioned Morimoto's Sushi Master, a cooking competition hosted by Lyrica Okano, with Morimoto serving as lead judge. The series was renewed for a second season by Roku in September 2023.
Charitable Activities
In April 2011, Morimoto took part in the Thousand Hearts Benefit held in California, aimed at raising funds for the relief efforts following the Japanese earthquake.
Honors
- Entered into the Culinary Hall of Fame in 2012.
External links
- Masaharu Morimoto Official Website
- Masaharu Morimoto profile on the Chef and Restaurant Database