On the Art and Practice of Sushi: The Sushi Chef with Masaharu Morimoto

Masaharu Morimoto is most famously known for being an Iron Chef, but there is another side of him we don't get to see too often. In addition to his life on TV, Chef Morimoto is a successful restaurateur who has worked long and hard to build a team that can create great food at each of his restaurants. We spend time with Morimoto at two of his restaurants, Morimoto in Chelsea and Momosan Ramen & Sake in Midtown.
Morimoto had two dreams when he was a child, to become a sushi chef or a professional baseball player. After sustaining an injury he dedicated his life to sushi and since then has applied himself to the art and practice of sushi every day. As Morimoto says, “I don’t want to be a celebrity or a celebrity chef. I want to be known as a legitimate chef.”
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[@Rone554]

What a beautiful personality

[@zoomzoomgt]

Rosin Ghaderi your beautiful!

[@YungJuve]

The story about a customer wanting ketchup was fascinating. Truly inspiring stuff.

[@eltanquezito805]

I worked as a cook at a sushi restaurant a guy always asked for ketchup for his creamy wasabi salmon 😜

[@iamsomebody6267]

I feel embarrassed as a same American for asking a ketchup for a sushi. I mean that is utterly stupid, you would know that even if you are non-Japanese.

[@MookaB]

@@iamsomebody6267 closed mouths don't get fed.

[@ChairmanMeow1]

I remember watching Iron Chef as like, a 15 year old...and thinking man, that Morimoto. He is different than the others. His aura, his being, his personality.... awesome guy. VERY glad to see that over a decade later dude is successful as hell. Also...great work Vice. I would LOVE to see an entire series based around Morimoto.

[@DoneRightPlumbingOK]

+Chairman Meow Same here, man. Every time a guest chef called out Morimoto I always thought, "This guy is trying to beat the game on hard mode without any cheat codes". Amazing person and I'm glad to see he's still an active chef.

[@ItsSomeDeadGuy]

He and Mario Batali were by far the best on that show. I always stuck around for the full show if it was one of their episodes.

[@sublordlord7834]

ItsSomeDeadGuy

[@misterturkturkle]

ItsSomeDeadGuy you spelled rokusaburo michiba wrong

[@MilPZX]

shittt i didn't relaised it was him until i read this comment! now i will finish the vdo and more vdo of him. hmm good old memory!

[@Gravy_Master]

I always respected this man but after watching this my respect has increased tenfold.

[@jinn194]

The short story about the customer asking for ketchup, really opened my eyes to how much more one can learn. Even as a chef with years of experience under his belt, morimoto never once kept a closed mind. This is why people think of him as the forerunner for modern Japanese cuisine. Mad respect for the guy.

[@partykrew666]

he seems like a genuinely nice guy with a good heart.

[@MrCoors68]

NO. He is. not like...........a nice guy. he is a wonderful chef.

[@flowerofash4439]

"and its hard for a nice guy to be a king..." -Sushi Panther

[@stephanreichelt1960]

very humble

[@twitchykun]

tell that to the Ohta faction lmao

[@juliolui7517]

finally!...a clean straight profile of a master, and not a random hipster

[@Bigtasty28]

oh god yes!..

[@nathanlaw8770]

A master who dresses like a hipster and rocks it.

[@jaimep3432]

what do you expect it is a munchie channel.

[@Jtutor1980]

Netflix has several cooking shows dedicated to the great chefs from all over the world.

[@VGJunky]

John Beidleman former Iron Chef Japan not a master?

[@dlink9663]

He seems like a really happy nice guy who can make some amazing dishes. This was a refreshing watch.

[@michellepechie55]

Great little slice of Morimoto's life. You guys really packed a lot of depth in there. I've feel as if the true essence of the man came through. Bravo!!

[@musicah8496]

+Michelle Pechie yeah, those wisdom he shared that the camera man captured really made this video great

[@jackosterweil1537]

You know you've made it in life when you can say "I think I own 10 more restaurants around the world"

[@andynguyen3624]

He said Philly and New York and other ten around the world so it's twelve 😂

[@QB.113]

Morimoto might be one of my favorite people ever, especially after learning about his backstory and love of baseball. Met him once at his restaurant. Extremely humble, friendly and outgoing guy!

[@joelscb]

i ate at his restaurant when i went to new york. fucking fancy as shit. i had to pull my pants up.

[@pilgrim5355]

it's a big front for "our restaurant is fancy and expensive" so they can overprice the fuck outta their menu

[@Toki1908]

shit is not fancy

[@joelscb]

+K2DL was for me bra

[@Toki1908]

I'm saying the expression fancy as shit don't make no sense because shit...theres nothing fancy about it.

[@joelscb]

+K2DL fancy as shit bro

[@gethatmoney1]

Morimoto was my favorite on the original iron chef. This is great. Made me love him more.

[@nahor88]

Jared Allen He was always hip compared to the other Iron Chefs; more appealing to Americans. I think they realized how much the show was gaining popularity here, and they needed someone we could relate to. I remember one episode he put Coca-Cola in a traditional Japanese dish, and the old school chefs got so offended.

[@originalrecipe7988]

Jared Allen I knew he seemed familiar. I remember my parents watching Iron Chef while I was growing up.

[@Sillyzombie666]

MORE with him please, so much better than all the hipsters, drunks and stoners ....except for matty hes fucking funny

[@darkangelzephyron]

+1

[@Armandowando]

MORIMOTO KZbin CHANNEL PLEASE

[@BaconBLTurner]

+Sillyzombie666 Agreed that this guy and Matty are my favorites

***** Agreeing. With full force.

[@alexandersalz5850]

+Sillyzombie666 agreed and overall more japanese cuisine! :)

[@liteprotoss]

"This is called Chelsea whatever" lmfao

[@HarryVerolme]

I get so happy watching him. Awesome human being.

[@MsBurntToast]

Looking good for 60!

[@The1960killer]

Shoot if it weren't for the gray hair id thing he's maybe 40.

[@luf4rall]

balding on top though.

[@billhaggard400]

its all the fish he eats

[@cn0412]

Well, he's asian.

[@irongunner615]

Afterall Japanese have the highest life expectancy.

[@andrenewell9483]

Polishing his own rice. This guy is not playing around.

[@alexyung1685]

This guy is fucking too cool, he's like the Yoda of Japanese cuisine

[@shinji130]

I visited Momosan a few weeks ago and saw Chef Morimoto working the floor. He was friendly and took pictures with us. In fact, many people asked him for pictures and he never said no. Very genuine, down to earth. I am sure that his employees are happy to work for him.

[@evanauster6718]

You are very lucky! I am jelly!

[@HeatherSpoonheim]

I love the way he hoovers those noodles. You know he means it when he says he loves them.

[@supercoolben]

the Greatest docu from munchies !!

[@adamtruelove9684]

I thought the same!

[@SushiLiebhaber]

+Awesome Eats Most definately! Great food and very inspiring chef. Please Munchies ... make more of this!

[@LeeKarin]

Awesome Eats 💜💜

[@Sitrush]

More of Masaharu Morimoto please.

[@Spawn223311]

so much finesse and humility at the same time :)

[@ezranathaniel86]

When a sushi chef teaches you about life and being alive more than the greatest of philosophers.

[@neomcdoom]

Ezra Anantharaj Nathaniel Thats how the Japanese roll

[@justaddmusclecom]

What an Amazing Success Story. Love this type of content.

[@Cynddelw]

+Hamza El Khazaani delegate delegate delegate. Put the right people in positions of responsibility and only get involved when necessary.

[@co8539]

+Hamza El Khazaani yah he definitely isn't stressing too much over making all that cash lol. He's got people hired to do everything

[@hanj31]

He is probably the most creative chef I've ever seen.

[@nyck1d36]

not really go to Royal Sushi and Izakaya in Philly best sushi chef there masaharu ito and Jesse it

[@Rangstaa]

60 years old fuuuuck dude, is that what eating fish all your life does to you? man he looks young

[@user-gc8jw5wu5l]

The first time I ate at his restaurant in Philly he just happened to be there and my girl got his autograph. He's a good dude, but now I'm broke so I can't go to his restaurant no more.

[@journeytrials]

How did you end up broke? But at least you eat there!

[@ZeFoodie]

+Zoe03 my bill with party of 6 was over 1000$

[@journeytrials]

Ze Wu Dang so that's around 183.30$ per person. That's crazy what a waste what did you guys order?

[@EclecticoIconoclasta]

i guess sushi with gold and diamonds

[@bushkesh]

MINSU at least you still got the girl. Right?

[@l.daniels168]

I loved him on the ORIGINAL (Japanese) Iron Chef. Always so creative and innovative. He's a class act.

[@marissas3307]

I never expected him to be so fun and down to earth - just shows how the editing on the Food Network can skew perceptions of him

[@rikifujihara7542]

I love how there isn't a loud American commenting throughout the video

[@Cynddelw]

It is interesting how much he actively tries to be as far from being like his father as possible

[@kevinli3683]

+Crefftwr pls elaborate on that?

[@Cynddelw]

+Kevin Li he seems to act in a clownish way in an attempt to keep himself away from his father's behavior who he described as a violent drunk. He abstains from alcohol and actively tries to dissolve conflict through humor. It was just an initial observation and I could be completely wrong it was just how he came off to me.

[@chody5840]

+Crefftwr It also might have a lot to do with modern Japanese culture. Cute or clownish behavior in Japanese culture influenced their whole generation the same way that slapstick comedy influenced our parents' generation. It's even evolved with their current culture, giving rise to things we would perceive as weird (coffee houses with in-house cats for petting, where Japanese businessmen come to relax after a day's work), the same way that the 3 Stooges evolved from Moe pushing a pie into Curly's face to the Jackass movies of our generation, where we watch Steve-o stick a fishing hook through his ass to go shark fishing.

[@imhellag]

+Crefftwr dude if your dad was an abusive alcoholic do-nothing, then uhhh yeah common sense.

[@Cynddelw]

+imhellag people deal with abuse in a myriad of ways.

[@SamuraiPie8111]

i hate seeing him lose so much on iron chef, his creations are amazing. more art than food.

[@readabook5823]

Agent Bill Wilson he's actually an og iron chef too from Japan. I personally think it's because people here aren't that used to his style of cooking... If the judges had more Asians I bet he would win more tbh. The foods and taste buds are just too different

[@MansMan42069]

@Sweet Jones III Not his fault americans have shitty taste buds

[@majosalascalderon]

loved his teachings, I've admired him since I was a little kid!

[@robertbaratheon4621]

same here and it sucks to believe I will never get to watch him cook or let alone, meet him one day.

[@aidatovmasyan5785]

+Robert Baratheollll

[@arifnh_]

I knew him from old video of Iron Chef Kitchen Stadium. :D

[@jordangroff8978]

Legend, been watching this man since the 90s

[@willdeng3748]

He's like the total of opposition if Gordon Ramsay

[@death457]

+# Awesome Gordon Ramsay isn't really a dick like everyone thinks he is. He does it for the show because people watching like it. He is more of dork around his own family and friends always pulling pranks and doing weird things.

[@sonnyc2539]

+Kanna Chan From what I heard there are hundreds of chef bosses like Gordon Ramsay in the food industry, just completely nasty.

[@DrCoconut465]

+Sonny C +# Awesome The food industry is indeed a nasty place, but Gordon Ramsay is a very kind chef who's personality and teaching methods are edited by American television companies to be dramatic and shocking. Watch "Master Chef Junior" or his UK version of "Kitchen Nightmares" or "Ramsay Behind Bars" or just google first-hand accounts coworkers or other people have had with him. He has a ton of energy, and is genuinely kind.

[@DrCoconut465]

Would it be too much to ask for a source?

[@DrCoconut465]

Jorna Rood From what I've seen the suicides were not correlated with Gordon Ramsey, there are reported suicides from people whose restaurants were successful and unsuccessful. It seems to be more of a mental health issue than anything else.

[@MaljaSteffiLee]

fell in love with Morimoto in this vid

[@MetalMikeLIVE]

Sushi has become my favorite food in past 4-5yrs now. I definitely will go to his restaurant before I die. Seems like a real cool dude.

[@MiminEzarik]

Positive vibes keep flowing in this video. Simply great.

[@saritacheeks]

His aesthetic and ideals are fantastic. Definitely someone to be inspired by and even look up to. I particularly enjoyed the detail he added to the inside of the bowls for the ramen. He is not only a chef, but an artist.

[@ahikernamedgq]

I love Morimoto.

[@fatdoi003]

nice video.... this series is becoming more interesting (authentic)...... interviewing real chefs than food operators without naming who from last series....

[@romanrecto]

+William Ng out of curiosity who? I havent watched all of last series so just wanna know which ones to skip

[@fatdoi003]

romanrecto last one...... taco amigo sushi

[@ChristmasCrustacean1]

that ramen looks amaaaazzzinng

[@katcisneros1390]

This is great. Best video I've watched on Munchies. I would go to New York just to eat at his ramen shop!

[@tweakzGFX]

amazing story...big up munchies!

[@alekdembo4227]

For my tenth birthday gift all I asked for was a family meal at the legendary morimoto restaurant. I was not disappointed. I can still taste their spicy king crab to this day.

[@michaelmack6221]

I was at Morimoto's restaurant in Orlando a few years ago with my wife and kids, and the Chef himself was there for the soft opening. I expected him to smile and shake hands the whole time, but instead he spent 99% of the day behind the sushi bar, creating delights for his customers. The best sushi I've ever had, hands down. I guess we all need to take a trip to Jiro's spot in Japan to make a comparison.

[@BroodingPeeps]

Kudos Munchies, you found a non-pretentious Sushi Chef for us to enjoy. Been a while.

[@joeroberts2156]

Didn't expect the story to get me like that.

[@ariax3420]

I love how he was like I wanted to be sushi chef I don't think he would have guessed that he would become the world's most famous sushi chef I like him he seems so, sweet and funny. I'm sure he is very kind hearted in real life.

[@RasheemH]

Stories like this is what makes America great!

[@matthewpark9713]

I love how he causally quotes that he has ten other restaurants around the world. Thats awesome.

[@maverickx1221]

This guy is so genuine and so great. I would love to eat in one of his restaurants.

[@brahamguys2342]

Incredibly sad beginning, but he made 1 dream come true. I'm so glad for his own personal success! That a chap!!!

[@canucks9220]

isn't it similar to Gordon Ramsay :- abusive dad, wanted to play sport professionally, injured, make cooking a career.

[@billyjoe3309]

I wanna eat his food and give him a hug. What a genuine man! I hope I ever get the pleasure to eat his amazing food!

[@So.cheese]

This guy is a genius!! :O I'd love to eat from his food one day! :)

[@RigoRM]

The whole video....I thought he was talking Japanese all the way through. Those subtitles tricking me into not even realizing he was speaking English. Damn.

[@tumatauenga6433]

+Rigo R.M i just thought i had learnt japanese over the course of the video. now i am upset that haven't

[@drinkallthesunshine]

He was speaking Japanglish... A blended mix of Japanese and English. Haha I caught that too

[@redlion145]

+Rigo R.M For the most part he was speaking Japanese. Some words don't have easy Japanese equivalents, like domestic violence, so he uses english loan words. At other times he was speaking English sentences.

[@Dave....]

This is the most refreshing thing I've watched on this channel in a long time. I've never been so in tune a d willing to soak up knowledge. Morimoto is a legend.

[@JButt-]

Morimoto seems like such a genuine, talented, nice guy.

[@cos.44]

Talk about being likeable!! More content like this please!!

[@marcojimenez4973]

he taught me so much when I was watching food network

[@JonxNgo]

The restaurant industry is lucky to have a guy like Morimoto. Great little documentary short Munchies!

[@avilesjr]

Thank you for showing the realistic side of him. When I used to watch him on iron chef they used to put subtitles on him even though he was speaking perfectly good English. And try to remove his sense of humor. He's so adorable.

[@bluegirl5555]

Wow I would really love to eat at one of his restaurants one day.

[@DBSbluedevil]

I would wash dishes in his kitchen for years to just work in the same building with him

[@mike_meets_johnny7084]

This guy is amazing. Humble yet sauve and sophisticated. His philosophy. Absolutely wonderful.

[@acertainlustforlife]

I love Chef Morimoto. A+ dude with a beautiful soul. You can tell his chefs, employees, and staff love working for him.

[@dedgesaysfuckthewrld]

This guy is awesome! Much respect :)

[@ozgundemirr]

I wish I could work in one of his restaurants there, great guy.

[@InfiniteGenresOfMusic]

I remember this guy from Iron Chief. Such a legend chief, seriously.

[@ladyinfamous415]

it's good to see a true OG in The Culinary World on this channel within the first 10 seconds I knew

[@jurassicsushi]

Chef Morimoto is so cool. This was truly a pleasure to watch #Munchies @Munchies +Munchies & so well put together. Once again you give us a glimpse into an amazing persons past and present life with such elegance. My heart damn near melted when Chef Morimoto mentioned "Domestic Violence" because you could not only hear the heartbreak and pain in his voice, but clearly you could see the pain from his past on his face. Thank you Chef for sharing such an intimate part of your life with us and Thank you for creating such amazing dishes for all those who are able to enjoy them. Munchies you and your team are just on fire with these episodes, keep up the great work. Dammit now i really want some sushi haha. God Bless and Be Well everyone.

[@jdamourep]

This guy almost got into the league but unlike other guys he found another CAREER to do.

[@loking4384]

this chef has a very respectful belief,his restaurant has unique style but not just the fashion, "customer is the first", without boundaries between Japanese and other races,and finally he is so optimistic and harmful.This guy is so amazing!Respect

[@swish007]

when i watched iron chef back in the day he was always my favorite (as well as chen). chen seemed so funny and humble which was rare considering all the seriousness in the show.. but morimoto seemed to me like a genuinely good guy.. the kind of guy that you could walk up to and talk to unlike most other celeb chefs. he seems to have a really great sense of humor and a bit of prankster thing to him.. but also an incredible kindness, which you don't see often in japanese chefs. such an amazing guy

[@eyesonukimberly6539]

Exactly..

[@christineg7074]

this man is so cute

[@englishmutton]

He is way more cooler than so-called hipsters.

[@Thexdmattx]

It is really nice to see his real personality without all the editing to make him look badass.

[@mattmcgovern2961]

The wave illustration was amazing

[@solidkingcobra]

he is aging gracefully!

[@cisthej]

what an amazing person! i hope you guys make more videos with him in the future

[@WingsOTWorld]

One of the most interesting things I find here is how much English Morimoto has mixed into his Japanese. That and how it's interesting to see his personality come out more. Great video!

[@JP-td8gt]

Genuine man, that never forgot where he came from but never let that define his future. Represents what a leader should be, humble encouraging and not afraid to be themselves and connect with people. One of his many qualities as a human being; concerned with making his employees and customers happy and a be a master of his craft.

[@RonakBlinkGaming]

This guy is my hero! I Love his down to earth personality! 10/10

[@Johndough30]

its just amazing, no words except... MORE MORE!!!

[@MrAtaguas]

for a guy with so much success It's amazing how humble Morimoto is ... That Ketchup story was amazing ... how many pompous chefs would have had the guy thrown out of their restaurants for something like (**cough** Marco Pierre White) ... No matter how crass and out of place the customers request might have been it makes Morimoto that much more of a class act that he didn't flip his shit

[@taffertime]

had the pleasure of meeting him at his restaurant in Philly. He doesn't speak much english, but you could tell he was a really genuine, enthusiastic guy. Much respect

[@avenging209]

Thought his story about the customer asking for ketchup at 8:50 was pretty interesting. He really seems like a cool guy; I would imagine another sushi chef would outright reject a request for ketchup and probably have laughed it off

[@ethanhan2068]

LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH!!! DO MORE

[@mugensamurai]

Thanks Munchies, This man is a hero of mine and it's a shame to see him age over the years but it was a nice treat to learn about his life.

[@ailac.5375]

he's seems like such a humble and kind man ! I would've guessed early 50's. hope to try out one of his restaurants in the future

[@FatsacksAllday]

Id love to meet Mr.Morimoto one day

[@chickens00p]

My favorite Iron Chef

[@kamalhm-dev]

+Chicken Soup What is this iron chef? tv show?

[@Stankyfanger]

He is much more than a sushi chef. He is a beast in the kitchen

[@SyndicateSuperman]

I absolutely love Morimoto-san. I was awestruck to meet the man a little over a decade ago. He exudes an aura around him while still being approachable and the epitome of class. I hope to meet him again once more before I die. The man will always be "Kitchen Jesus" to me

[@alexbiegaj794]

Morimotos back story is like a Japanese version of Gordon Ramsey's!

[@wendycheng484]

Should of asked Morimoto about Bobby Flay and the cutting board incident after a challenge.

[@mugflub]

Man, I respected Morimoto before this video, but I have a whole new level of respect for him now. Great video.

[@ddsesperes]

This guy is a legend. i see on tv when i was young. a great guy, a great chef and on his age, you wont see signs of slowing down. i salute morimoto-san one dedicated person.