31 Facts About Masaharu Morimoto

Masaharu Morimoto is a Japanese chef, best known as an Iron Chef on the Japanese TV cooking show Iron Chef and its spinoff Iron Chef America.

Masaharu Morimoto is known for his unique style of presenting food.

Masaharu Morimoto established himself in New York City and worked in some of Manhattan's prestigious restaurants, including the dining area for Sony Corporation's executive staff and visiting VIPs, the Sony Club, where he was executive chef, and at the exclusive Japanese restaurant Nobu, where he was head chef.

Masaharu Morimoto's first expansion was a Morimoto restaurant in Chelsea in New York City.

Masaharu Morimoto has restaurants in Mumbai and New Delhi called Wasabi and has opened multiple locations of Masaharu Morimoto around the world.

In July 2010, he opened a Napa Valley location of his flagship Masaharu Morimoto restaurant, followed in October 2010 by a Waikiki, Hawaii location, and a Maui location in October 2013.

In November 2012, Masaharu Morimoto opened Tribeca Canvas in New York's Tribeca neighborhood, featuring Asian-inflected takes on American comfort food.

Masaharu Morimoto XEX received a Michelin star in the 2008 Tokyo Michelin Guide.

Masaharu Morimoto appeared as an Iron Chef in Iron Chef America, a spinoff from the original Japanese Iron Chef series, and in its spinoffs The Next Iron Chef and Iron Chef Gauntlet.

Chef Masaharu Morimoto has developed a line of specialty beers in collaboration with Rogue Ales of Newport, Oregon, consisting of the Imperial Pilsner, Soba Ale, and Black Obi Soba Ale.

In September 2015, Masaharu Morimoto opened the Pan-Asian restaurant Masaharu Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World in Florida.

In October 2016, Masaharu Morimoto opened Masaharu Morimoto Las Vegas located inside the MGM Grand hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

In October 2021, Masaharu Morimoto opened the restaurant Momosan Ramen Boston inside The Hub on Causeway in Boston, Massachusetts.

Masaharu Morimoto was chosen based on his style of cooking, which seemed to border on fusion cuisine, as well as his international experience.

Masaharu Morimoto was initially reluctant to accept the title of Iron Chef, but accepted fearing the show would hire someone else.

Masaharu Morimoto competed in the first sushi battle in Kitchen Stadium on June 18,1999, against challenger Keiji Nakazawa.

Masaharu Morimoto is memorable for being the target of Tadamichi Ohta, a vice-chairman of the Japanese Culinary Association and head of the notorious "Ohta Faction" of Japanese chefs, themselves noted for targeting all the Japanese Iron Chefs starting with Michiba.

At that time, Masaharu Morimoto had lost two straight battles and no Iron Chef had ever lost three in a row.

Masaharu Morimoto went on to defeat Flay in the New York Battle, the results of which Flay contested believing he was "given inferior cooking space and equipment" and because he had cut himself in addition to suffering several electric shocks during the battle.

Masaharu Morimoto lost to Flay in the re-match with Japanese lobster as the theme ingredient.

When Puck was unavailable, Masaharu Morimoto came on board to replace him.

Masaharu Morimoto's voice is usually dubbed by American voiceover personality Joe Cipriano during the judgment phase of the show; during the battle, his use of English is not dubbed, but conversations with his sous-chefs in Japanese are subtitled.

Masaharu Morimoto has spent time there ensuring a successful launch of the restaurant.

In Season 8 of Top Chef, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto was the Guest Judge.

Masaharu Morimoto returned to Top Chef in Season 21 as the final group of chefs participated on a cruise line.

Masaharu Morimoto discussed his work in creating a global fish program with Holland America Line.

Masaharu Morimoto's task was to evaluate the contestants in cooking a selection of Japanese dishes.

Masaharu Morimoto has made guest appearances as himself on the CBS television series Hawaii Five-0, which is filmed on location in Hawaii.

Masaharu Morimoto made his first appearance in the season 1 episode "Ma Ke Kahakai".

In Season 10 of MasterChef, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto was the Guest Judge for the King of the Crabs battle.

The series is hosted by Lyrica Okano, with Masaharu Morimoto serving as the lead judge.