Most Holland America Line passengers never step inside the ship’s galley. A few weeks ago aboard Koningsdam during an Alaska cruise with my mom, I had the chance to do just that.
Holland America invited me behind the scenes for a preview of its refreshed Morimoto By Sea, the cruise line’s signature dining experience created in partnership with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Standing beside Executive Chef Mahendra Sethupathy, I watched as he and Chef de Cuisine Tri Afianto carefully prepared two of the menu’s newest dishes.
The attention to detail was striking. Sethupathy used tweezers to place the final garnish before the sauce was added and each dish headed to the dining room. Every ingredient had its place, every bowl was wiped clean before leaving the pass, and despite the fast pace of the galley, nothing felt rushed.
Soon afterward, those same dishes arrived at my table.
Starting this week, the refreshed Morimoto By Sea menu begins rolling out across Holland America’s fleet. The new dishes will debut at the standalone Morimoto By Sea restaurant aboard Nieuw Amsterdam and at Morimoto By Sea pop-up experiences on the cruise line’s other ships, with the full rollout expected to be complete by mid-November.
I tasted two of Chef Morimoto’s newest dishes
The culinary team aboard Koningsdam prepares two new dishes from Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s refreshed Morimoto By Sea menu, now rolling out across Holland America Line’s fleet.
(Jill Schildhouse)
Watching the culinary team prepare the dishes was almost as memorable as eating them. Their movements were deliberate, from carefully layering the ingredients to placing the finishing garnish before each dish left the kitchen. It was a reminder that these aren’t simply cruise ship meals, but dishes executed with the precision of a fine-dining restaurant.
I sampled two of the new additions, and both were standouts.
Tan Tan Noodles
(Jill Schildhouse)
The Tan Tan Noodles, served in a red curry broth with miso-infused ground chicken and fresh cilantro, struck a satisfying balance between richness and spice without overwhelming the other flavors. After a chilly day exploring Alaska, it’s exactly the kind of comforting meal I’d order again.
Vegetable Wontons
(Jill Schildhouse)
I also tried the Vegetable Wontons, coated in an Asian sesame garlic chili sauce that delivered just the right combination of savory, slightly sweet and gently spicy flavors. My mom, who joined me for the tasting, was equally impressed.
Morimoto’s partnership with Holland America extends beyond the menu itself. As the cruise line’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, he helps showcase an award-winning program that features fresh, locally sourced seafood in destinations around the world. In Alaska, where guests can enjoy regional catches while sailing through the very waters they came from, it’s a natural fit for a chef whose cuisine celebrates fresh fish and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.
What’s new on the Holland America Morimoto By Sea menu?
Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s refreshed Morimoto By Sea menu features new dishes inspired by his philosophy of balancing flavor, texture and presentation.
(Jill Schildhouse)
Beyond the dishes I sampled, the refreshed menu introduces Chef Morimoto’s Shokupan Bread Service, Lobster Miso Soup, Miso Lamb Chop, Butter Poached Lobster Tail and an updated Morimoto Sushi Mori inspired by the popular Morimoto By Sea pop-up experience. Returning favorites include Japanese Curry and Morimoto Buri-Bop, one of the chef’s signature dishes from Iron Chef Japan.
“When developing these dishes, my goal was simple: create an experience that feels both exciting and approachable,” Morimoto said in a statement. “For me, great food is about more than a recipe. It’s about creating a connection through taste, texture and presentation. I’m excited for guests to experience these new dishes and then join me in Alaska where I’ll have the opportunity to share my passion for fresh fish and connect with guests in a different way.”
Chef Morimoto will sail to Alaska in 2027
Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, celebrates the fresh seafood that inspires the cruise line’s Morimoto By Sea dining experience.
(Jill Schildhouse)
For travelers who’d like to meet the chef behind the menu, Holland America also announced that Morimoto will sail aboard Nieuw Amsterdam’s eight-day Alaska cruise departing Vancouver on May 8, 2027. During the voyage, he’ll participate in a live cooking demonstration and other special culinary experiences that offer guests a closer look at his approach to Japanese-inspired cuisine.
If his previous appearances are any indication, guests can expect more than a traditional cooking demo. During a 2025 sailing aboard Rotterdam, Morimoto invited crew members to help create the world’s longest maki roll at sea. While Holland America hasn’t revealed what he has planned for the 2027 Alaska voyage, the cruise line has confirmed he’ll participate in another live cooking demonstration.
Dining and Cooking