Morimoto Asia Forbidden Lounge Offers Late-Night Dinning

The former Downtown Disney, now Disney Springs, is in the midst of a renaissance period with a new name, new shops, new restaurants and a lot of new construction. Although there is still a long way to go before the completion of the new Disney Springs, among the new eats already open and booming is Morimoto Asia. 

The ultra swanky pan-Asian dining experience showcases flavors from across the Asian continent with an emphasis on China, Korea, Japan and Thailand. Designed and created by owner Chef Masaharu Morimoto, the restaurant offers three different dinning experiences – the Morimoto Asia restaurant; a 14-seat, reservations-only sushi bar and the Forbidden Lounge a late-night culinary treat.

I was invited to experience highlights from Morimoto Asia’s Forbidden Lounge menu at a sake tasting event hosted by corporate beverage director and certified sake sommelier Eduardo A. Dingler. 

Morimoto Asia Forbidden Lounge

In addition to a unique menu, the Forbidden Lounge has unique dinning hours — from 10 pm to 1 am daily. Perfect for a late-night bite on date night or a night on the town with friends. Featuring a scaled-back menu, the Forbidden Lounge has the chill vibe of a hidden retreat in the middle of the fast-passed Disney Springs. 

And sake, oh my the sake! I am admittedly a complete sake novice, previously having no idea how many varieties and flavors of sake there are. If you have never dabbled in sake tasting, the Forbidden Lounge offers sake delicious pairings and sake cocktails. 

Among the menu items we sampled was a grilled chicken bao. Although previously unfamiliar with a bao, it was the highlight of the meal for me. I was so intrigued by the fluffy and tasty bao. 

The Morimoto Asia menu is an eclectic take on some of Chef Morimoto’s favorite Asian flavors including L.A. BBQ kalbi ribs, moo shu pork, Morimoto Peking duck, lobster chow fun, sweet and sour crispy whole fish, pho ga, pad Thai, sticky ribs and Singapore laska noodles. Chinese dim sum includes items such as dumplings, shumai, shrimp har-gao and grilled chicken bao.

Families visiting Disney will be happy to know Mortimoto Asia also has a full children’s menu that I hope to check out with my girls soon. 

Next time you visit the Disney Springs area, stop by Morimoto Asia for lunch, dinner or a late night snack. You won’t be disappointed by the decor, ambiance, sake or the Asian cuisine.