Morimoto’s Asia, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawai’i

こんばんは

Konbanwa

(Good Evening)

Morimoto Asia Waikiki & Momosan Waikiki

@Alohilani Resort

2490 Kalakaua Ave.

Honolulu, HI. 96815

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Kurisumasu, 2025

(Christmas, 2025)

I knew that we would be visiting Morimoto’s Restaurant in Waikiki while we were there in March, 2026, which is why I did some shopping for myself in 2025 to get me in the mood.

The Saki Set I Bought For Myself, Along With The Purse, And Some Asian Store Japanese Treats

The Outfit I Bought For Myself, Left, And The Shirt I Bought For Gordon, Right.

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At Our Hotel, Me Ready To Go

And ready to walk 8 blocks to the restaurant in heels. Yeah.

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INTRODUCTION BY GORDON

In 2015, during the “Eat St.Pete” food expo and show sponsored by the Home Shopping Network, that took place in St. Petersburg, Florida, I met Master Chef Morimoto. At that time I was attending the Art Institute of Tampa for Culinary school and I volunteered to work the event. Little did I know, I would be able to work with the Master, a highlight of my culinary journey. I happened to be washing dishes at the time, when he arrived and asked “Chef, would you please wash my knife?” In an instance I knew who he was as our family had watched him of Iron Chef as well as the American version of the show. When I finished, he filleted three fish which took him very little time. They were perfect fillets. I finished washing the dishes and went up to the main room where the Shopping Network was taping the shows live. A number of Chef’s showed up for the expo/show… Chef Curtis Stone, Chef Ming Tsai and Chef Ingrid Hoffmann. All were amazing to work with and assist while on stage and behind the scenes. The students had a habit of cleaning up quickly and throwing the food away after the previously named Chef’s completed their dishes. This angered the Home Shopping Network’s stage manager greatly as the students were wasting food, which could sit around for all to enjoy. I tried to step in and stop this, but I couldn’t monitor all the various students showing up trying to chip in where they could. I was pulled to help prepare food and sometimes deliver it to the Chef’s while on stage. During Chef Morimoto’s time on camera, he made some of his famous sushi. I watched from off stage as he grated fresh wasabi, then sliced the ingredients and rolled them up. When done with his food, the stage manager had me place it just off stage, away from most of the students access. Chef Morimoto moved off stage to give autographs, and the stage manager came to me with a very large tray which displayed all of Chef Morimoto’s sushi. It was picturesque! The stage manager held one side of the tray and I held the other. With our free hands, we selectively picked out our sushi. They all tasted amazing and it was an experience I will never forget. While we were eating, Chef Morimoto asked us if it tasted good? Of course we said yes! I mean, how many people have eaten his directly made sushi… and it didn’t cost me a dime. This is why when I found out he had a restaurant in Waikiki, I wanted to take everyone out to diner. Unfortunately, Chef Morimoto wasn’t there, but as you can see below, we had a great time.

Chef Gordon Whann

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You Enter The Restaurant From The Ground Floor And Walk Up The Stairs

It Truly Is Beautiful!

The Hostess Station Where You Check In

This Is Probably The Bar Area

It was a Monday night, not the busiest of nights, but we were fine with it. I know that I don’t care for crowds myself.

Seated At Our Table

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The Menu

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Brian Strapping In Isabelle…

And Veronica and I Checking Out The Menu

Drink Menu

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The Apps

What I like about this restaurant is that they prepare one dish at a time, then bring out that one dish when it is finished. They want you to share the dish with everyone. That is their theme of restaurant cooking. I really did like that.

Pork Gyoza

Pork Gyoza and Assorted Dim Sum

Assorted Dim Sum and Edamame with Dipping Sauces

(I do have to say that I would squeeze the Edamame from the shell too hard and they would fly all over the table.) 🙂

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Gordon with his Garlic Shrimp

Gordon’s Momo Tai

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Veronica and I Checking out the Menu while Isabelle gets Screen Time.

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My Julie, Dinner

It Was PERFECT!

I Ordered The Geisha Gimlet and the Miso Black Cod

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Brian’s Surf and Turf Sushi Roll

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Certificate of Authenticity

The Japanese will give you the information of where the beef comes from. Nice to know.

What none of us actually liked was the smell of Butane while she cooked the meat in front of us.

Momo Tai, Geisha Gimlet, and Silky Sensei

Brian’s Japanese Beer

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With the exception of the screen time, there really wasn’t anything for Isabelle here.

But, someday she can say that she ate at Morimoto’s in Waikiki. 🙂

She Did Enjoy Her Tacos

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The Kitchen, Love The Ducks

As I said above, it was a Monday night and not very busy. The restaurant was so beautiful though.

We were happy that we got to experience it.

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Walking Down Waikiki

Waikiki is Beautiful!

A nice walk to and from the restaurant.

To me, Waikiki kind of reminded me of New York City. It had it’s street performers, dancers, singers, lots of music, lots of people, beggars, homeless, con artists, etc.

All of that was new and not what I remember Waikiki being like. However, it was still beautiful and exciting. And besides, when you are with the right people then everything is beautfiul.

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If you would like to check out our Japanese Treats website page:

Click Here For: Chisana Atsukau, (Small Treats in Japanese)