Morimoto Asia Unveils Forbidden Lounge: 24‑Hour Dining Experience at Disney Springs

Experience the new 24‑hour dining destination at Disney Springs—Morimoto Asia’s Forbidden Lounge. Photo courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

When Walt Disney World Resort introduced the Pan‑Asian concept Morimoto Asia to Disney Springs in September, we asked Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto which dishes on the menu were his favorites. He humorously said it was as difficult as picking a favorite child—he simply couldn’t decide.

Open daily until 2 a.m., the Forbidden Lounge delivers a curated, scaled‑back version of the dinner and lunch menus, offering the same inventive flavors but in a late‑night setting.

Chef Morimoto, renowned for his knife skills, debuted the lounge with a 100‑pound tuna filleted into a 60‑foot maki roll, a spectacle that set the tone for the menu’s emphasis on precision and freshness.

Orlando may be famous for pizza and tacos, but Morimoto Asia offers a different twist. Try the Tuna Pizza, where crunchy crust meets hot tuna and fresh fish, or the Hamachi Tacos—mini taco shells filled with yellowtail sashimi, yuzu kosho, guacamole, and lime. Oyster aficionados will find the “today’s oyster” selection a must‑try.

Dim‑sum lovers will appreciate the eight options on the Forbidden Lounge menu, a concise selection from the full dinner lineup. Highlights include Shrimp Ha‑Gao, Shumai, and Chicken Dumpling.

The Rock Shrimp Tempura, drizzled with spicy gochujang aioli, offers a bold, addictive snack. For heartier fare, the Kakuni Pork Boa and Chicken Boa are excellent choices for meat lovers.

If you’re new to sake, the lounge is the perfect introduction. Eduardo Dingler, Morimoto Restaurant Group’s corporate beverage director and certified sake sommelier, explains that “sake can be playful and fun.” Sample a creative sake cocktail or sip the Iron Chef’s favorite Morimoto Junmai Daiginjo from Ishikawa.

On December 18, Morimoto Street Food—a quick‑service extension outside the main entrance—opened to bring a streamlined menu of egg rolls, salads, and sushi rolls for diners on the go.

Note: Availability of certain experiences may vary. Learn more about healthy travel and check with your favorite restaurants for current status.

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