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Review: Dim Sum Brunch and Seasonal Cocktails at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs


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Even though Morimoto Asia has only been open for just over a year, in that time it has already debuted a few new offerings.

Since we first took in dinner at this signature restaurant located in The Landing of Disney Springs it has added Morimoto Asia Street Food, a Counter Service spot for casual and quick dining featuring more of Chef Morimoto’s Pan-Asian cuisine. And over the summer we tried the new Late Night menu, which is available starting at 10PM Sundays through Thursdays, and 11PM Fridays and Saturdays.

Now we’re back to check out yet another Morimoto Asia dining opportunity: the new Dim Sum Brunch! Dim Sum is a type of meal very popular in Asian cuisine featuring smaller plates so everyone can enjoy various items in one seating.

Before we dive into what’s on the menu, let’s go over some logistics: the Dim Sum Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30AM to 3:00PM, and the cost is $27.00 per guest. All brunch seating is upstairs at Morimoto Asia (including the 2nd floor outdoor area).

Outdoor Patio on the Second Floor

Outdoor Patio on the Second Floor

Guests ordering Brunch may also order off the regular menu. Also, guests dining at tables downstairs can order off the Brunch menu (though in an a la carte fashion).

morimoto-dim-sum-brunch_16-01

Outdoor Tables

Place setting

Place setting

Included in the price of the Dim Sum Brunch is one item from the First Course offerings on the menu, and three items from the Second Course. Beverages are a separate cost.

@morimotoasia Facebook

@morimotoasia Facebook

For the First Course, you receive your choice of the Soup of the Day or House Greens. We were able to try the Hot & Sour Soup, which is basically the House Soup of Morimoto Asia. It’s chock full of lots of egg and tofu along with vegetables including tomatoes, scallions and mushrooms in a spicy broth.

Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and Sour Soup

It’s simply delicious, with intense flavor — and it does not shy away from the spice. A really nice option for a cooler Florida morning on the outdoor seating area!

Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and Sour Soup

Again, the Second Course includes your choice of three items (though you are welcome to add any additional choices for $6.00). You’ll notice in the pictures to come that we were primarily served pork options at the Brunch preview that we attended, but the menu also includes variations on several items to include shrimp, chicken, and vegetable options.

Let’s start with the Pork Ribs! They are steamed in a black bean sauce and topped off with scallions and red pepper strings.

Pork Ribs

Pork Ribs

The steamed ribs were tender without being too heavy.

Pork Ribs

Pork Ribs

The bean flavor was definitely prominent in the black bean sauce, and there were pieces of bean mixed in with the pork, too.

The Chasu Pork is strips of roasted pork with a light soy glaze.

Chasu Pork

Chasu Pork

It carried a really nice, slight hint of smokiness, and this pork was also incredibly tender. The soy glaze added some sweetness to the pork.

Chasu Pork

Chasu Pork

Xiaolong Boa is a dish of four pork soup dumplings served in a steaming basket with a side of red chili sauce for dipping.

Xiaolong Bao

Xiaolong Bao

Each small bun was soft and doughy, and filled with minced pork.

Xiaolong Bao

Xiaolong Bao

While I really enjoyed the texture, I would’ve preferred more meat inside the actual bun. Personally, I’d choose one of the other pork options over this one.

And speaking of more pork options :) , the Fried Spicy Pork Dumplings also included four dumplings, this time served with a side of spicy soy sauce.

Fried Spicy Pork Dumplings

Fried Spicy Pork Dumplings

The dumplings are filled with minced pork, red peppers, and chiles.

Fried Spicy Pork Dumplings

Fried Spicy Pork Dumplings

Again, the texture was spot on. The outer layer of the dumplings was crunchy while the inside maintained its chewy dumpling texture, giving it a good crunchy-soft texture. These are definitely on the spicy side, and the accompanying soy sauce also had plenty of hot red pepper.

You’ll find the Morimoto Spicy Chow Fun Noodles listed on the menu as a suggested add-on course for an additional $8.00.

Morimoto Chow Fun Noodles

Morimoto Spicy Chow Fun Noodles

It’s a plate of wide rice noodles with egg, spicy basil sauce, and vegetables including tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms.

Morimoto Spicy Chow Fun Noodles

Morimoto Spicy Chow Fun Noodles

This may have been my favorite dish of the morning (with the Fried Spicy Pork Dumplings being a close second). The sauce on these terrific noodles had just the right amount of flavor and spice. I’d definitely suggest this as a shareable plate for the table.

We’re back to the regular second course options for our final Brunch item: the Sesame Balls.

Sesame Balls

Sesame Balls

These four sesame balls are filled with a sweet azuki bean sauce that make this the closest item on the menu to a dessert; so if you prefer to end your brunch with something sweet, then these are the best choice to end your meal.

Sesame Balls

Sesame Balls

Again, beverages are available at an additional cost. But we did have a chance to enjoy a few cocktails while we were there. And since these seasonal drinks are available all day — as opposed to being exclusive to the Brunch — we want to show you these, too! Seasonal cocktails are part of the regular rotation at Morimoto Asia, so while these particular drinks may not be available on your visit, they’ll give you an idea of some of the fun and creativity behind the seasonal concoctions.

The Autumn Pumpkin Martini is made of Tito’s Vodka, pumpkin spice syrup, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and almond milk. It is dusted with some cinnamon to give it some spice and has a crushed graham cracker-like rim.

Autumn Pumpkin Martini

Autumn Pumpkin Martini

If you’re a fan of pumpkin (like me!), you will totally dig this! It’s on the sweet side but the pumpkin flavor is subtle, so it’s not overly so.

Autumn Pumpkin Martini

Autumn Pumpkin Martini

It’s definitely more of a dessert drink with the heavy creaminess of the Bailey’s, but the smooth Tito’s Vodka helps it go down easily.

The Nashi Pear Margarita is a unique choice made of Maestro Dobel Tequila, pear puree, lime juice and Cointreau. I really enjoy pear flavors in the winter time so I loved how this drink was a Winter-meets-Florida beverage!

Nashi Pear Margarita

Nashi Pear Margarita

The Nashi pear puree was fresh and tasted fantastic with the orange flavor of the Cointreau and orange garnish. It’s very refreshing, and REALLY delicious.

The Lychee Lemon Soda is a non-alcoholic drink with fresh mint leaves, lemon juice, lychee puree and soda water.

Lychee Lemon Soda

Lychee Lemon Soda

This drink was nice and light with its pleasant lychee flavor, along with the cool combo of lemon and mint. Admittedly, it wasn’t the most autumnal of drinks we tried ;) , but still a keeper!

It’s fun to have a new brunch option in Disney Springs (after all, we lost one when Fulton’s Crab House closed; perhaps we will gain it back when Paddlefish opens?). And the fact that it’s a unique choice featuring Chef Morimoto’s Pan-Asian cuisine makes it even more welcome. For $27.00 per person, Dim Sum offers a fun chance to taste some new items that range from meat and vegetables to steamed and fried options to customize your meal, along with an opportunity to enjoy the uniquely beautiful setting of Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs.

Would you like to try Dim Sum Bunch at Morimoto Asia? Please let us know with a comment!

Thanks to Morimoto Asia for inviting us to sample this new Brunch option. We were not obligated to write about, or offer a favorable opinion on, this meal. See our disclosure policy for more information.

Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and:


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