One thing you have to say about Masaharu Morimoto: The chef can sure throw a party.

The grand opening of Morimoto Asia Waikiki Feb. 13 featured at least an hour of “Iron Chef”-style hoopla, from a lion dance to fish butchery, before any food was served to the 250-plus guests.

The celebration began with the ceremonial tapping of a sake barrel and a toast. Morimoto then beheaded and carved up a 125-pound bluefin tuna, the meat going into a 60-foot maguro roll assembled by the chef and his guests — and more was served as sashimi later.

The restaurant in the Alohilani Waikiki Beach Resort is the second Morimoto Asia, after one in Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort. It will be followed with a more casual Momosan Waikiki ramen shop this spring.

Among Morimoto Asia’s signature dishes: whole Peking duck with apricot sweet chili and hoisin miso, Ishiyaki Buri Bop (hamachi seared tableside) and Angry Lobster with red curry sauce. Twenty sakes are on the menu.

Morimoto Asia is open daily for dinner at 5 p.m. Call 922-0022 or visit morimotoasiawaikiki.com.

GET A QUICK PORK-BELLY FIX

Pork belly is the darling of upscale restaurant menus, what with its soft succulence and affinity for many preparations. It was only a matter of time before this tender cut made it to fast food, and now it has come to Jack in the Box.

A Pork Belly BLT is new on the national chain’s Food Truck Series menu of banh mi-style sandwiches, along with an Asian Fried Chicken Sandwich and Prime Rib Cheesesteak.

But special to Hawaii is an “underground” item — pork belly and fried rice. Just ask for a side order of pork belly ($2.99) and a side of fried rice ($4.99). And while you’re at it, ask for a kamaaina card and you’ll get 10 percent off (total with tax: $7.52).

Warning: Dial back your expectations. You won’t get a thick chunk of glistening pork belly; it looks more like two half-slices of thick-cut bacon. But it’s tasty, and in combination with the fried rice makes a satisfying breakfast.

By the way: If you didn’t know there was fried rice at Jack’s, it’s an only-in-Hawaii dish with Portuguese sausage, Spam and eggs that’s been available with breakfast plates for a few months.

Information: jackinthebox.com.

— Betty Shimabukuro, Star-Advertiser