HAL's 'fresh fish ambassador' Masaharu Morimoto gets his own restaurant on board

As the line's 'fresh fish ambassador,' he is crafting recipes for the fleet's main dining rooms and a fleetwide pop-up restaurant that takes over Tamarind or Pinnacle Grill, depending on the ship, at least once per cruise. 

Now Morimoto will also have his own restaurant, opening on Nieuw Amsterdam's Dec. 16 cruise. The menu will emphasize fresh fish dishes and include a selection of beef, chicken, vegetarian and vegan options.

Wide selection of appetizers and mains

Among the appetizers are a sushi plate, fresh tuna pizza, tempura calamari salad, pork gyoza dumpling, tori ramen noodles, hamachi tacos and stick ribs.

Main courses include crispy fried whole market fresh fish, Ishiyaki Buri Bop (fresh Pacific yellowtail on rice, cooked tableside in a hot stone bowl). Shrimp Three Way Morimoto Style (tempura, panko and arare-age with tartar, tonkatsu and gochujang sauces) and Angry Lobster Pad Thai (Maine lobster, rice noodles, Thai red curry sauce).

Angry Lobster Pad Thai

Further selections include broiled beef tenderloin steak, chicken teriyaki, Japanese vegetable curry, slow-cooked Alaskan king salmon and Surf & Turf.

Dessert choices range from dark chocolate sphere to baked tofu cheesecake, white chocolate lime ganache and a seasonal sorbet trio.

The restaurant also highlights Morimoto’s alcoholic beverages, including Morimoto Dream Brut Rosé and Morimoto Junmai Daiginjo Sake that complement the dishes on the menu.

$55 cover charge

Morimoto By Sea will be located adjacent to the Tamarind on Nieuw Amsterdam's Observation Deck. Reservations may be made on Holland America Line’s Navigator App or on board. The restaurant carries $55 cover charge per person, plus 18% gratuity.