Masaharu Morimoto Restaurants: Key Takeaways
- Masaharu Morimoto owns and operates 24 restaurants worldwide with a presence across the United States, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
- His empire includes one Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo known as Atelier Morimoto XEX.
- Morimoto’s portfolio features diverse concepts ranging from fine dining Japanese and Pan-Asian restaurants to casual ramen bars and unique venues like a cruise ship restaurant.
- Recent expansion efforts (2023-2025) focus on cities such as Jakarta, Bordeaux, Taghazout Bay, New York, and Atlanta, demonstrating global growth.
Chef Masaharu Morimoto is a celebrated Japanese chef renowned for blending traditional Japanese culinary arts with Western techniques. He has cultivated an international restaurant empire featuring a mix of fine dining and casual concepts.
This article explores how many restaurants Morimoto owns, their locations by region, details of his Michelin-starred venue, signature concepts, and the unique dining experiences he offers across the globe.
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Masaharu Morimoto Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count
As of 2025, Masaharu Morimoto operates 24 restaurants globally, with locations spread across key regions including the United States, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
His portfolio spans a variety of dining formats from high-end fine dining establishments to casual ramen bars and street food concepts. Morimoto retains full ownership and control, not relying on franchising or licensing arrangements, which ensures consistency of quality and experience.
Below is a breakdown of his restaurant distribution by region:
Region | Approx. Number of Restaurants | Notable Examples |
---|---|---|
United States | 14 | Morimoto (New York, Philadelphia, Maui), Morimoto Asia (Orlando, Napa), Momosan (New York, Seattle), Sa'Moto (Los Angeles, Atlanta) |
Asia | 6 | Atelier Morimoto XEX (Tokyo), Morimoto Jakarta (Indonesia), Wasabi (Mumbai), Morimoto (Jakarta), Morimoto Asia (Waikiki), Momosan (Waikiki) |
Europe | 2 | Morimoto Bordeaux (France), Atelier Morimoto XEX (Tokyo, near Europe for HQ) |
Middle East | 1 | Morimoto (Doha, Qatar) |
Africa | 1 | Morimoto Taghazout Bay (Morocco) |
Morimoto’s restaurants are frequently located in major metropolitan areas or renowned tourist destinations, reinforcing his brand’s appeal to an international clientele.
His expansion between 2023 and 2025 notably includes new openings in Jakarta, Bordeaux, Taghazout Bay, New York, and Atlanta, indicating an ongoing strategy of targeted global growth.
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Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants
Masaharu Morimoto’s culinary excellence is recognized by the Michelin Guide, with his flagship restaurant Atelier Morimoto XEX in Tokyo earning a Michelin star. This establishment exemplifies his mastery of Japanese cuisine combined with modern techniques.
The restaurant features distinct teppanyaki and sushi floors, allowing guests to experience traditional and contemporary Japanese cooking styles.
While Atelier Morimoto XEX is currently the only Michelin-starred venue within his portfolio, it represents the pinnacle of his fine dining offerings and maintains high prestige in Tokyo’s competitive gastronomic scene.
- Atelier Morimoto XEX (Tokyo, Japan) – 1 Michelin star. Esteemed for its elegant ambiance and sophisticated menus, the restaurant is a showcase of Morimoto’s refined culinary artistry.
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Notable Masaharu Morimoto Restaurant Concepts and Locations
Morimoto’s dining empire encompasses several distinct concepts, each catering to different tastes and price points. From upscale fine dining to casual ramen bars, these restaurants highlight his culinary versatility and innovation.
Morimoto Restaurants
The flagship brand, Morimoto, consists of seven locations worldwide featuring contemporary Japanese cuisine in an elegant setting.
Locations include Philadelphia, New York, Napa, Maui, Mexico City, Doha, and Jakarta. These venues emphasize refined menus with prices typically ranging from $100 to $150 per person.
Signature dishes blend traditional Japanese techniques with global influences, making these spots popular among fine dining enthusiasts.
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Morimoto Asia
Morimoto Asia operates three casual dining restaurants primarily in the U.S. including Orlando, Waikiki, and Napa.
These venues feature a pan-Asian menu that is family-friendly and accessible, with moderate pricing generally between $50 and $100 per person.
The concept focuses on broader Asian flavors with a casual ambiance designed to attract a wide demographic.
Momosan
Momosan is a chain of six casual dining locations concentrated in U.S. cities such as New York, Waikiki, Seattle, Wynwood, Boston, and Santana Row.
Known for its ramen and sake bar, Momosan offers a relaxed setting and relatively affordable prices from $20 to $40 per person, attracting both ramen lovers and casual diners.
Sa'Moto
A fine dining brand featuring pan-Asian cuisine with a modern décor, Sa'Moto has three locations in Los Angeles, Manhattan, and Atlanta.
The restaurants offer a premium dining experience with pricing from $75 to $120 per person, blending upscale ambiance with innovative flavors.
Wasabi
Wasabi is a single fine dining location in Mumbai, India, known for luxurious Japanese cuisine and a refined atmosphere.
The restaurant provides an elegant setting with an average price range of $100 to $150 per person, expanding Morimoto’s footprint in South Asia.
Atelier Morimoto XEX
The Michelin-starred Atelier Morimoto XEX in Tokyo combines teppanyaki and sushi in a sophisticated venue.
It is Morimoto’s flagship fine dining expression, with prices ranging from $150 to $200 per person.
Morimoto by Sea
This unique casual dining concept operates aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Ship offering pan-Asian cuisine complemented by ocean views.
It represents a distinct dining experience with prices from $50 to $100, catering to cruise guests seeking a stylish yet relaxed meal.
Morimoto Taghazout Bay
Located in Taghazout Bay, Morocco, this fine dining restaurant serves Japanese cuisine with a coastal setting.
Priced between $100 and $150 per person, it is a newer addition expanding Morimoto’s presence on the African continent.
Morimoto Bordeaux
In Bordeaux, France, this fine dining venue merges Japanese culinary traditions with French influences.
The restaurant maintains the typical Morimoto price range of $100 to $150 per person and reflects the chef’s European expansion efforts.
Morimoto Jakarta
Located in Jakarta, Indonesia, this fine dining restaurant offers Japanese cuisine in a modern urban environment.
It marks Morimoto’s growth in Southeast Asia with pricing analogous to other fine dining outlets, between $100 and $150 per person.
MoriMori
MoriMori is a casual dining Japanese street food concept based in New York City.
With prices from $20 to $40 per person, it features a vibrant atmosphere focused on quick, flavorful meals.
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Masaharu Morimoto Restaurant Empire: Conclusion
In conclusion, Chef Masaharu Morimoto owns and operates a diverse portfolio of 24 restaurants worldwide that blend fine dining with casual and unique concepts across multiple continents.
His singular Michelin-starred restaurant, Atelier Morimoto XEX, stands as a beacon of his culinary artistry while his various Morimoto-branded concepts capture different market segments from exclusive to approachable formats.
The global footprint spans the United States, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, illustrating Morimoto’s ambition and adaptability in international gastronomy.
With continued expansion into new cities such as Jakarta, Bordeaux, and Atlanta, Morimoto’s empire reflects a commitment to innovation, quality, and distinctive dining experiences rooted in Japanese culinary traditions.
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