When MSC's newest ship, MSC Seaside, launches in December, it'll have some exciting new features, including a water park with slides that jut over the side of the ship, a wraparound promenade, and elevators with panoramic views. But what are we really excited about? The new Japanese-Hawaiian fusion restaurant by celebrity Chef Roy Yamaguchi.
You've probably heard his name around before: the Japanese-American chef has opened 30 Roy's Restaurants worldwide, starred in a TV show ("Hawaii Cooks With Roy Yamaguchi"), and written four cookbooks — and now he's launching his first eatery at sea.
The restaurant, Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi, will have a sushi, sashimi, and raw bar, plus a teppanyaki grill, where chefs will cook pan-Asian dishes from traditional Japanese to Malaysian to Thai and Korean, right in front of passengers.
Executive chefs are currently training with Yamaguchi's team in Hawaii. And, unlike other celebrity chefs, Yamaguchi is adding more than just his name to the project. He's had a heavy hand in conceptualizing every aspect of the design and planning of the restaurant, from the menu and wine selection right down to the silverware and china.
When we sat down with the chef to ask about this new restaurant, two years in the making, he said he felt fortunate that working on a completely new build has allowed him to start from the ground up, creating a synergy between the interior of the restaurant and the a la carte menu.
Expect the interior to wow you as much as the food: The restaurant will have floor-to-ceiling windows, modern light installations, and seats for just 120 guests. (With 4,140 passengers onboard, you'll want to book online in advance.)
Yamaguchi will sail with MSC Seaside on her inaugural voyage in December. The ship will cruise to the Caribbean from Miami year-round.
