Sushi veg box Photo by: Christopher DeVargas
Chef Masaharu Morimoto is famous for his cooking skills when it comes to meat and fish, and the Iron Chef has created a divine Japanese dining destination to show off said skills. But Morimoto Las Vegas at MGM Grand stays at the forefront of food trends by offering vegetarian and vegan alternatives, too, without sacrificing the flavors, creativity and presentations it’s so known for.
Within the newly redesigned space, reminiscent of Japan’s popular night markets, guests can dig into a plethora of sea and land delights from steaks, sashimi and specialty rolls to hot and cold appetizers and teppanyaki. But this story focuses on Morimoto’s veggie delights, a dining experience worth partaking in whether you are a carnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan.
Miso tofu tartare Photo by: Christopher DeVargas
Start with a cocktail—the Emerald Dragon is both tasty and perfect for a photo op. It comes out smoking, thanks to dry ice, and poured tableside. The balanced ingredients of peach soju, Midori, yuzu juice, lime juice and yuzu white peach soda is both refreshing and slightly sweet. Another popular specialty cocktail is the Hibis-Kiss, made with Flecha Azul reposado (actor Mark Wahlberg’s tequila brand), yuzu juice, hibiscus and orange liqueur.
Presentation is one thing Morimoto Las Vegas comes in clutch with, and it starts with miso tofu tartare. It’s a playful appetizer as you use the little paddle to scoop up the tofu and use the three accompaniments—nori paste, rice cracker balls and Morimoto guacamole—to get various flavors and textures. Finish it off with two types of yamamomo, Japanese mountain peaches (so sweet and delicious) that serve as a palate cleanser for the next dish.
Caramel apples Photo by: Christopher DeVargas
The impressive presentation continues with a sushi veg bento box; this one comes dressed up with a quad of delights. The one bites include a bundle of cooked asparagus, spinach in peanut sauce, a roll with Japanese carrot and a myoga roll, a type of Japanese ginger.
The main attraction, and a definite must-order, is the ishi yaki tofu bop, a signature dish. The ishi yaki yellowtail bop is a dish that won chef Morimoto the title of Iron Chef, recreated here for vegetarians with tofu. (You can order the dish with pork belly or wagyu as well.) Ishi yaki is a traditional Japanese cooking method of using hot stones to cook the food. At Morimoto Las Vegas, the traditional hot stones come in the form of a serving bowl heated to 450 degrees and packed with rice, tofu, pickles, carrots, daikon and pickled mustard greens. The server will mix the dish tableside starting with a dressing of sweet sesame soy. As the ingredients marry, the dish continues to cook inside the heated bowl, giving the flavor more depth. Here’s a helpful tip: We suggest letting the dish sit for a few more minutes before digging in as the heat will crisp up the rice at the bottom, making for a slightly crunchy bite.
Emerald Dragon Photo by: Christopher DeVargas
End the meal with a refreshing dessert, the caramel apples served alongside a waffle ice cream sandwich, caramel and gold leaf garnish—a perfect end to a vegetarian journey so worth exploring.
MGM Grand, 702.891.3001. mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com
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