Iron Chef

All Episodes 1993 - 2002
TV-G

  • Ended
  • #<Network:0x00007f98857b7800>
  • 1993-10-09T15:00:00Z
  • 45m
  • 6d 5h 30m (299 episodes)
  • Japan
  • English
  • Reality
Iron Chef is an innovative cooking competition from Japan. Originally produced by Fuji TV, Iron Chef combined the excitement of a one on one sports competition with gourmet cooking. The title Iron Chefcomes from the original Japanese title, Ironmen of Cooking. This innovative game show was always popular in its native Japan, but it found international success when the Food Network bought the series and began airing English dubbed episodes. It became a cult classic as viewers were treated to exotic ingredients and innovative cooking techniques. No expense was spared. Chefs seemed to have almost limitless supplies of the most exotic and expensive gourmet ingredients. The competition is hosted by Chairman Kaga, an over-the-top master of ceremonies. He introduced a "secret ingredient" that the challenger and the chosen Iron Chef had to incorporate into every dish. Originally, the program was 30 minutes long, but it was soon expanded to an hour format. Each chef presented his/her dishes to a panel of 3-4 judges who rated the dishes to crown a winner. All of the competitions occurred in a specially designed "kitchen stadium". The New York Times once described Iron Chef as "kamikaze cooking". Iron Chefs and their competitors became celebrities in their own right. Storylines developed between groups determined to defeat the Iron Chefs. The show was so successful in English speaking countries that several spin-offs, specials, and updated versions were produced.

321 episodes

Special 1 The Millennium Special

  • 2000-01-04T15:00:00Z30m

A two-hour millenium special: Zhao Ren Liang vs. Chen (Abalone) and Dominique Bouchet vs. Michiba (Kobe Beef)

2000-06-25T15:00:00Z

Special 2 New York Special

Special 2 New York Special

  • 2000-06-25T15:00:00Z30m

The Iron Chefs receive a special invitation from Tim and Nina Zagat to come to the U.S. and face off against Bobby Flay. The Zagats then hold court at their Connecticut estate to determine which Iron Chef will have the honor of competing against Flay.

2001-01-01T15:00:00Z

Special 3 21st Century Special

Special 3 21st Century Special

  • 2001-01-01T15:00:00Z30m

Iron Chef marks the start of both a new century and a new millennium with two exciting culinary fights to the finish. Kandagawa Toshiro vs. Iron Chef Sakai; Rematch of Bobby Flay vs. Iron Chef Morimoto.

2002-01-01T15:00:00Z

Special 4 Japan Cup 2002

Special 4 Japan Cup 2002

  • 2002-01-01T15:00:00Z30m

Two battles featuring Iron Chef Chen.

This was a special put together by Fuji for Food Network. It features highlights from two Sakai battles and two Chen battles. Sakai: Recap from Cod Battle, Apple/Chocolate Battle Chen: Recap from Prawn Battle, Carrot Battle

2002-04-06T15:00:00Z

Special 7 Morimoto R.A.W.

Special 7 Morimoto R.A.W.

  • 2002-04-06T15:00:00Z30m

Flay vs Morimoto

Series Premiere

1993-10-09T15:00:00Z

1x01 Ishinabe vs Maruyama Takeshi (Salmon)

Series Premiere

1x01 Ishinabe vs Maruyama Takeshi (Salmon)

  • 1993-10-09T15:00:00Z30m

The theme of the preliminary battle is Omurice. The main battle features Yousei Kobayakawa vs Rokusaburo Michiba. How will a traditional Japanese chef like Michiba handle a very non-Japanese ingredient? Like a master. Even though it is his debut battle, look for the Michiba staples: the written menu and his Inochi no Dashi (aka Broth of Vigor).

The preliminary battle is a matchup of Spaghetti. Half of the challengers seem to be non-chefs this time. And the eventual winner is an Italian chef. This episode features the debut of Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi. The theme will be Fugu. Given the specialized skill needed to properly prepare Fugu, Kitchen Stadium provides trained Fugu experts to cut the fish apart for the chefs. (It should be noted that the Chairman Kaga character will eventually be "killed" by improperly prepared fugu.)

The preliminary battle in this episode has a theme of Korokke (Croquette). Among the challengers is a 17 year-old student and a chef from Sakai's La Rochelle. The final is a French on French match-up. The theme is not a French theme, however, as the Chairman unveils Tofu. Ishinabe can only laugh while the challenger has a look of trepidation on his face.

Chairman Kaga talks about Yi Yin, a 16th century BC Chinese cook to whom the idea of the five tastes is generally attributed. The theme for the preliminary battles is Harumaki (Spring Roll). The Kaga speech about spring rolls ends with "Glass Skin" (perhaps referring to the lightness of the outer skin of properly prepared harumaki.) The final battle will take place between Shu Tomiteru (younger brother of the famed Shu Tomitoku) and Iron Chef Michiba.

For the first time, we do not have a preliminary battle. This episode is the first that really looks like an episode of what we now recognize as Ryouri no Tetsujin (complete with pre-battle video piece on the challenger). And of course, we have the challenger (in black and white) looking at the camera and saying "I'll win". It's an all Chinese cuisine battle as the challenger takes on Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi.

Ishinabe takes on challenger Muto Masato in a Daikon battle.

The challenger's brother was defeated by Michiba less than one month earlier. Now, Shu Tomitoku comes to challenge the Iron Chef. The Chairman says, "Michiba beat your younger brother. And now, who do you want to fight?" With his younger brother Shu Tomiteru urging him on, Shu Tomitoku chooses Rokusaburo Michiba.

Christmas time is approaching and Chairman Kaga is looking forward to all the special desserts. He holds the first dessert battle in Kitchen Stadium.

Season Finale

1993-12-18T15:00:00Z

1x10 Ishinabe vs Jacques Borie (Chicken)

Season Finale

1x10 Ishinabe vs Jacques Borie (Chicken)

  • 1993-12-18T15:00:00Z30m

A special battle for Christmas. The challenger is a winner of the prestigious MOF award in France. The Iron Chef is the first Iron Chef French, Yutaka Ishinabe. This is the only Ishinabe episode, and the only episode from the first year broadcast on Food Network. Judges: Yasuo Tanaka (Novelist), Mai Kitajima (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Season Premiere

1994-01-08T15:00:00Z

2x01 Michiba vs Shu Tomitoku (Pork)

Season Premiere

2x01 Michiba vs Shu Tomitoku (Pork)

  • 1994-01-08T15:00:00Z30m

The first episode of the second season of Ryouri no Tetsujin. It's the first battle of the new year. Shu Tomitoku is back to take on Michiba once again in the first rematch battle in Kitchen Stadium. The challenger tells Chairman Kaga he doesn't need to see all three Iron Chefs. Michiba alone is enough.

The challenger is a master of Chinese cuisine from Hong Kong. He has cooked for many celebrities including Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.

This battle is the first to feature an amateur cook as challenger rather than a professional chef.

The challenger was a gymnast, then a professional boxer, then a highly trained French chef. He will be taking on Michiba.

We see an all-too familiar face for the first time in the intro to this battle. And as usual, Chairman Kaga is not happy with what he hears. Toshiro Kandagawa wants to take down the Iron Chefs, and he thinks he has the men to do it. The first challenger, Kouichi Taniguchi, began working for Kandagawa at the age of 18. You will enjoy his impressive knife work. He is ready to be the lead-off man in the batting order and get the Kanto vs. Kansai challenge started.

Second up is another hand-picked challenger from Kandagawa, Kazuyoshi Masaki. Michiba says he will not lose to such a young challenger. The second round of this Kanto vs. Kansai challenge is ready to begin with a theme that is handled differently by the regions.

Finally, it is time for the heavy hitter in the lineup to step up to the plate. This battle features the first competitive appearance from Toshiro Kandagawa. Despite the baseball theme, Kandagawa brings in 11 chefs with him, which The Chairman points out is enough to field a team in the J-League.

This is the debut episode of Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai. He is taking on French Chef Guy Shokr in an all-French battle.

It's an all Chinese cuisine battle between two second generation Chinese chefs: Iron Chef Chen Kenichi vs. Shinji Kondo. At first glance, the theme might seem a little difficult, but as Chairman Kaga mentioned, flour can be used in things like Gyoza and Ramen. How will these two chefs use the "magic white powder" (mahou shiroi kona)?

The challenger is a chef at a popular restaurant among the celebrities in Tokyo, Basta Pasta. It has been a while since they had an Italian cuisine challenger and The Chairman expects a "high-tension" battle.

We all know the history of Iron Chef Chen Kenichi and female challengers. This is the episode that started it all. She was the first female challenger to do battle in Kitchen Stadium.

Chairman Kaga speaks of two distinct "themes" used in Italian cooking depending on geography: Tomato in the South, Cheese/Butter in the North. The challenger follows the style of the North. Michiba will have to deal with another theme ingredient that is not used very often in Japanese cuisine, but he is comfortable working with anything.

The challenger is the first to come from Kyoto. Kyoto-style cuisine has a 1,200 year tradition. The challenger was picked by the chairman of the Kyoto Chefs Association. He decided to become a chef way back in elementary school after receiving a knife from his grandfather. Takahashi, "Kyoto style cuisine is basically mild. It is light in flavor. So I have confidence in controlling flavors at a very fine level." Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Sakai must face a former apprentice. Which will prevail - Sakai's traditional methods or Nakagawa's nouveau "third wave" style? Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Commentator Dr. Hattori issues a challenge to Michiba and is rewarded with an incredible secret ingredient. Judges: Joel Robuchon (Chef), Mai Kitajima (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Italian chef Hiromi was a legend. After beset by personal tragedy and financial ruin, he seeks redemption in Kitchen Stadium. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Sakai faces the first sushi master in a fish battle for the ages. Judges: Daijiro Hashimoto (Governor of Kochi), Mai Kitajima (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Hot-flame Chinese cuisine is the challenger's specialty. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Music Producer), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

It's a rematch from the World Chinese Cooking contest. Kiyoshi won 3rd, but Chen won 2nd. This time it's war. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Songwriter/Producer), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Fermented soy beans are the featured ingredient in this battle between two master chefs. The challenger is a certified Maestro of the the Japanese Cuisine Seminar Group, a Japanese chefs organization that has over 20,000 members. Michiba is also a certified Maestro and the leader of the group. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Ristuko Tanaka (Actress), Masaaki Hirono (Rosanjin Scholar)

Kandagawa brings his apprentice to kitchen stadium for a sweetfish battle.

Sea Urchin provides a young chef the chance to revolutionalize Chinese cooking. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

The challenger has been trained by two of France's most renowned chefs and now heads the kitchen at the chic Club NYX. Chairman Kaga decides on something different in presenting his first liquid theme ingredient. Judges: Kazuyoshi Okuyama (Director), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

The challenger is a nomad. He's worked in 200 plus restaurants, so cooking in the new environment of Kitchen Stadium is no challenge. Judges: Toshio Yamaguchi (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Knife skills will be put to the test in battle tuna. The challenger carries one of the longest knives in Japan. Despite his father being against it, the challenger began to apprentice at age 17. He is well versed in Tea Ceremony dining. He is now head chef at a restaurant visited by many Japanese Prime Ministers. He has chosen to battle Michiba because he does not like the way the Iron Chef uses non-traditional ingredients in Japanese dishes. The theme ingredient cost approximately $10,000. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Shimizu is a sous chef at the world famous Tour D'Argent. Both chefs appreciate the quality of these expensive lobsters. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Shyoko Tamura, Masaaki Hirano

Paul Bocuse sends two trusted apprentices to take not one, but two, iron chefs. This is the first time two Iron Chefs have been in Kitchen Stadium at the same time. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Kazuko Katoh (Actress), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano

Kitchen Stadium welcomes its first challenger from a top hotel kitchen: Mitsuru Saito, head of the Chinese kitchen at the All Nippon Airways Hotel Sheraton. He has cooked for celebrities and is known for thoroughly researching VIPs so as to be well-prepared.

Kandagawa sends another apprentice to take down the Iron Chef in this slippery battle eel, and this chef has talent; he is trained to use knives with both hands. If this challenger does not defeat Michiba, Kandagawa himself will come to Kitchen Stadium to challenge the Iron Chef. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Still smarting from his challenger's defeat in Sea Urchin Battle, leading gourmet writer Masuhiro Yamamoto sends another contender - Koyama, who is so popular he is a recurring character in a cooking-themed manga.

Chen faces the second female chef in kitchen stadium. She is a television icon to many Japanese housewives. Both chefs enjoy fame. One's an Iron Chef, the other hosts a popular cooking show. Spuds will fly in battle potato.

Considered the bad boy of French cooking, Nakazawa takes on Michiba in a battle of culinary rebels. The challenger earned the nickname Hound Dog after a 2 hour argument with Joel Robuchon (in French) about his food. He has over 10,000 recipes written down in French. He writes in French, thinks in French, and even says he dreams in French. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Song Writer), Julie Dreyfus (Actress),Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Aguri Suzuki (Race car driver) and Ukyo Katayama (Race car Driver) recommend the hybrid French-Italian challenger. Osako is a heavyweight contender out to challenge Iron Chef Chinese in this mushroom battle.

The challenger is a German-born French cuisine specialist. The challenger has traveled through numerous countries collecting recipes and cooking for VIPs. Will his deficiency in the Japanese language hinder his cooking? Judges: Shigesato Itoi (Copy Writer), Kazuko Katoh (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Hiroi is a Nouvelle French Chef set to battle cutting edge Japanese master Michiba.

Kitchen Stadium becomes a temple of food as a Buddhist Priest enters to demonstrate his vegetarian Shojin food skills for the Autumnal Equinox in the Yam Battle.

Chen must face a man who was his father's trusted apprentice. When they both prepare his father's signature dish, who will win?

Sakai attempts to use a traditional "Japanese" ingredient in his French cuisine

The 50th battle in Kitchen Stadium. The challenger is the best in Hong Kong and considered one of the top three chefs in all of China. He says he has never lost in a competition he has entered. Can he keep his winning streak going in Kitchen Stadium? Judges: Shigesato Itoi (Copy Writer), Ryuichi Sakamoto (Composer), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)

The challenger, a great Italian talent, was thought to have disappeared in disgust over the poor quality of Italian restaurants in Japan, earning the moniker "Mad Kobayashi". He makes his return in a surprise kitchen stadium appearance.

Michiba attacks a rising young apprentice from his hometown who critics have nicknamed "Little Michiba", in this angler assault. He uses the borderless cooking approach that made Iron Chef Michiba successful. Because of the time required to filet the theme fish, this battle is 15 minutes longer than usual. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Lower House Member), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)

An actor known for his cooking skills wants a chance to see what it is like to battle in Kitchen Stadium. Two months ago, he appeared as a judge. Now, he steps in as a challenger. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Lower House Member), Hisoko Monda (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Quail is the perfect secret ingredient...for the challenger. Can Sakai compete against this master of wild game cooking?

This challenger is the right hand man of famous chef Zhou Tomitoku. He won the bronze medal at the All China Cooking Skills Contest, beating out 300 other chefs. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic) Because of the delicate nature of the theme involved, a special Noodle Rule is invoked for this and all future noodle/udon battles. The Iron Chef must retire from the kitchen after 50 minutes as the challenger completes his dishes and presents to the judges first. As that occurs, the Iron Chef returns to complete his final ten minutes of preparation just before presenting to the judges.

The challenger is a favorite of the manager of the Yakult Swallows baseball team. He is the chef at the hotel where they stay when they come to Osaka to play the Hanshin Tigers. He was once the head chef at the Japanese embassy to Morocco. He is skilled at preparing Cajun food. Many members of the Yakult Swallows are present to watch the battle. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Christmas day brings a strawberry battle and a female competitor. Sakai has a poor track record against women competitors. Will victory be his Christmas present?

Season Finale

1994-12-22T15:00:00Z

2x50 Mr. Iron Chef 1994: Preliminaries

Season Finale

2x50 Mr. Iron Chef 1994: Preliminaries

  • 1994-12-22T15:00:00Z30m

The three battles that make up the "Mr. Iron Chef 1994" tournament. Four challengers battle each other and the winner faces an Iron Chef in the first episode of the next year.

Season Premiere

1995-01-01T15:00:00Z

3x01 Mr. Iron Chef 1994: Final (Yellowtail)

Season Premiere

3x01 Mr. Iron Chef 1994: Final (Yellowtail)

  • 1995-01-01T15:00:00Z30m

The winner of the Mr. Iron Chef 1994 tournament takes on an Iron Chef.

The first challenger of 1995. The challenger heads a restaurant with seating for only 6, but it has hosted entertainers and even Prince and Princess Mikasa. He apprenticed at one of the oldest restaurants in Japan.

Yamada left Tokyo University to train as a chef under honourary Iron Chef Ishinabe. Sakai has his mentor in the audience. Diverse factors influence this beet battle.

The Iron Chef Chinese takes on a man whose culinary career steered him towards Chinese Medicinal Cuisine: food to improve people's health.

Kondo is the 4th woman challenger to take on Sakai. This time the dessert battle is best suited for Valentine's Day.

Acclaimed chef Toshiro Kandagawa sends the only female chef he has ever taught into Kitchen Stadium.

The challenger is the head chef at a restaurant that Iron Chef Michiba himself dines at frequently. Judges: Tamio Kagayama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)

Today's challenger was once a top student under legendary Japanese chef Chu Shinoshima, but he instead chose to blaze his own trail in the culinary world.

Sakai faces a challenger known as "Mr. Gourmet." Komine is a world-class vegetable chef, who feels right at home with the secret ingredient.

The challenger makes magical noodle dishes. He is one of only 100 chefs to have received recognition as a High Class Technician. He is the youngest to have qualified for that license. He once headed the kitchen at the Chinese State Guesthouse. He is now the head chef for a hotel in Japan. Judges: Machi Tawara (Poet), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Shinichiro Kurimoto (Fmr Lower House Member)

The challenger is the first pizza expert to enter kitchen stadium. What pizzas can he create from squid?

Shigeo Yuasa is the head chef of the Okayama International Hotel, famously known as "The State Guesthouse of the West," as it is the common roost of the the Royal Family when they visit western Japan. Yuasa uses shocking cooking techniques--using test tubes and litmus paper to get his meals to exacting pH levels--that make him seem less a French chef and more a scientist. Can Sakai prevail in this new age battle?

1995-03-30T15:00:00Z

3x13 Hong Kong Special

3x13 Hong Kong Special

  • 1995-03-30T15:00:00Z30m

Two hour special featuring Michiba vs. Shu Chu in Battle Spiny Lobster and Chen vs Ron Waikei in Battle Pork

1995-04-06T15:00:00Z

3x14 Chen vs Chiyo Cho (Tofu)

3x14 Chen vs Chiyo Cho (Tofu)

  • 1995-04-06T15:00:00Z30m

The Kobe earthquake could not shake this talented female chef, and now she will fight an Iron Chef.

The Iron Chef French faces the head chef of the legendary ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) Taikan-so in Atami, named by the artist who once frequented it.

Former challenger Kandagawa sends Keisuke to do his bidding. Egos, reputations, and the championship are all on the line. This challenger is the 6th one sent to Kitchen Stadium by Kandagawa. Kandagawa is angry at Michiba for some comments the Iron Chef made about him. The challenger is the head chef of one of the Kandagawa restaurants. He has watched 6 battles from the royal box in Kitchen Stadium, so he is very familiar with what it takes to win. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Chizuru Azuma (Actress), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)

Chairman Kaga welcomes his first Korean challenger, bringing with her a distinctive form of cuisine rarely seen in Japan.

Old versus new French cuisine, Club Mistral versus Club des Trentes--a complicated battle deserves a high end ingredient.

How will the challenger (the king of sauces) deal with broccoli? Doc Hattori says his sauces are amazing. He even says he wishes he could take on all three Iron Chefs at once. Can he defeat one? Judges: Mayuko Takata (Actress), Toshiki Kaifu (Fmr PM-Japan), Sachiyo Kaifu (Wife), Yasushi Akimoto

Kitchen Stadium has never brought in a diner cook before, but this French-trained chef is no ordinary diner cook.

Dissatisfied with the results of their last encounter, the young guns of Club Mistral send another challenger to face Iron Chef French Sakai, representing the old guard of Club des Trentes.

The challenger is the top apprentice of the Mother of Chinese cooking in Japan. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Fmr Lower House Member), Chizuru Azuma (Actress), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)

Chairman Kaga is in a very bad mood. His Iron Chefs have lost their last two battles. Worse, the stress of the last loss has left the mighty Iron Chef Japanese Michiba in the hospital. And now, he has to answer a challenger representing the famed Italian restaurateur Don Sabatini. Can Chen avoid the fate of his fellow Iron Chefs and defend the honor of Kitchen Stadium?

The Iron Chef French faces the challenge of a Japanese-born chef who now heads the kitchen of the Pan Pacific Hotel in San Francisco. His California-influenced cuisine combines French artistry with Californian attention to eating healthy.

It takes guts to enter Kitchen Stadium and face an Iron Chef. This chef who trained at the branches of the famous Tankuma restaurant took the bold step of opening his own place on the Tokyo outskirts so as to better serve ordinary customers. He has guts aplenty.

Fook Lam Moon in Hong Kong is said to be the best Chinese restaurant in the world. A man who once headed that world-famous kitchen how heads a kitchen in Tokyo. To best put his Cantonese mastery to the test, against the Iron Chef Chinese, Chairman Kaga unveils the ultimate Chinese ingredient: swallow's nest.

Today's challenger grew tired of the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and retreated into the mountains of Nara Prefecture to pursue his own eccentric ideals of seasonal Italian cuisine. He grows his own produce, catches his own fish, avoids using knives, and is so selective he only entertains one party per day.

Hisama Hirano is a Japanese culinary media dynamo. He appears frequently in magazines, teaches Japanese cuisine and hosts cooking shows on television, and he also introduces new concepts in Japanese street dining. He's also popular with the ladies.

The challenger is a head chef in Kyoto. He has mastered the style of Ikama-school of culinary arts. To separate his restaurant from the other more traditional restaurants in the area, he began creating new dishes with local ingredients. He is among the top young chefs in Kyoto. He faces the returning Iron Chef Japanese, back after two months of recuperation, so Chairman Kaga chooses umeboshi (pickled plums), an ingredient associated with keeping good health. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Tag Team Battle! Two Iron Chefs vs 2 Italian Brothers in the battle of the tomato. After growing up in Italy, these brothers started their own restaurant in Tokyo. It is so popular that you must make reservations up to 6 months in advance. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Songwriter), Hideki Saijo (Singer), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)

It's tough, very tough for a woman to make her way into the kitchen of a traditional Japanese restaurant. But give the infamous Toshiro Kandagawa credit for recognizing the talent of this tough-as-nails woman from Kochi.

Bruant returns to Kitchen Stadium to give the Chairman an ultimatum - if he wins, he must replace Sakai as Iron Chef French.

The challenger is the head chef at a members only Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles. He watches the Iron Chef episodes that air on TV in California. (Pre-Food Network IC days.) He was born in Los Angeles, but he went to Japan to live with his grandparents when he was 6 months old. He was part of a comedy duo in his teens, but he had to give that up. And while he is an American, he wishes he could be a chef in Japan. The theme ingredients cost about $4,000. Judges: Junichi Ishida (Actor), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Chairman Kaga desires to have more experience with the cuisine of France's southern Provence region. He learns of a man from Provence who now serves authentic Provencal cuisine to Japanese diners near Lake Biwa. He invites the man to Kitchen Stadium and presents him with crayfish as the theme: an ingredient well-suited to his style of cooking.

Tsuguo Fujiwara is Managing Director of the Chinese Chefs' Association of Japan: the largest association of Chinese chefs in the country. Iron Chef Chinese Chen is placed in an uncomfortable position. As a lower member of the Association, he finds himself feeling like the challenger for once as he has to face his senior.

1995-10-05T15:00:00Z

3x39 1995 Iron Chef World Cup

3x39 1995 Iron Chef World Cup

  • 1995-10-05T15:00:00Z30m

Today's challenger is the third generation of a line of chefs going back to a chef once tapped by legendary culinary scholar Rosanjin. This battle marks two years since the first Iron Chef battle and is the first battle to feature four judges instead of three. The theme ingredient--rice--goes back to the roots of Japanese cuisine and culture, as taught by Rosanjin.

The challenger is one of the best in Japan at Fujian-style cooking. He opened the first Fujian-style restaurant in Japan. He is also a sixth-degree black belt in karate. Judges: Nagisa Ohshima (Director), Yoshiko Ishii (Singer), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Overtime Battle to Potato Battle After 60 minutes of battle, the scores are tied at 71, bringing forth the first ever overtime battle in Kitchen Stadium. Judges: Nagisa Ohshima (Director), Yoshiko Ishii (Singer), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Today's challenger is said to be the top Italian pasta chef in Japan, once trained under the legendary King of Pasta, Angelo Paracucchi, and now head chef of the Tokyo branch of the trendsetting El Toula.

A unique challenger who began his life as a sumo wrestler but then pivoted to cooking after injury cut short his sumo career.

100th challenger special

Bruno Ménard heads the Tokyo branch of the famed nightspot Tatou. Known as the Golden Boy for his time in Le Golden and for winning the Golden Key award for most creative chef in 1995, he is a trendsetter praised for his creativity and innovation.

A Shanghai cuisine specialist, Sozo Miyamoto rose to prominence at the same time as Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi, and after tying for silver at the Chinese Cooking World Championships several years ago, they're now considered strong rivals. Chairman Kaga invites Miyamoto to settle the score in Kitchen Stadium with live carp, a mainstay of traditional Chinese cuisine, as the theme.

Disappointed in the quality of the Japanese cuisine challengers this year (none of which have won to date), Chairman Kaga decides to call in a chef he'd been saving: Vice President of the Japan Chefs' Association and head chef of Nakanoboh-Zuien, a top-class ryokan in Arima Hot Springs.

For Kitchen Stadium's 1995 Christmas Battle, Chairman Kaga brings in a highly-prestigious chef from Paris: then-youngest-ever recipient of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France, the highest award the country bestows people of varying trades including cooking; a respected student of Joel Robuchon; and now owner of a two-Michelin-star restaurant.

Season Finale

1995-12-21T15:00:00Z

3x50 Mr Iron Chef 1995: Chen vs Sakai (Chicken)

Season Finale

3x50 Mr Iron Chef 1995: Chen vs Sakai (Chicken)

  • 1995-12-21T15:00:00Z30m

1995 Mr. Iron Chef tournament round 1

Season Premiere

4x01 Mr Iron Chef 1995: Chen vs Michiba (Beef) Part 1

  • 1996-01-02T15:00:00Z30m

1995 Mr. Iron Chef tournament round 2 (part 1)

1995 Mr. Iron Chef tournament round 2 (part 2)

For the first battle of the year, Chairman Kaga accepts the challenge of the head chef of the famed Grand Hotel in Taiwan. It is an all-Chinese affair with Iron Chef Chen chosen in advance to answer the challenge, on his 40th birthday no less, and no expense is spared as they are given dried abalone: a luxurious ingredient well-suited to Chinese cuisine.

While the search continues for a new Iron Chef Japanese, Iron Chef French Sakai accepts the challenge of a rising French-trained chef making a name in hotel dining: head chef of the Terrace at the Westin Tokyo. Wanting to spice up the battle, Chairman Kaga presents them with a challenging theme: curry powder accompanied by five other spices for variety.

The challenger is the head chef at a beachside restaurant. Chairman Kaga calls him the Conjuror of Seafood. He does not think he will lose to an Iron Chef. Is he right?

St. Valentine's Day chocolate-and-pear dessert battle

As the Chairman seeks out a new Iron Chef Japanese, Toshiro Kandagawa boasts he can offer a challenger that could replace Iron Chef French.

Inspired by the chili sauce made famous by Chen Kenmin, this challenger began a quest to create a sauce able to surpass it, and after over 30 years he has created numerous new Chinese sauces along the way. Now he wishes to put his expertise to the test against Kenmin's son, Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi.

After two months, retired Iron Chef Michiba presents Chairman Kaga with his successor: Komei Nakamura, an imposing chef from a prestigious formal Japanese restaurant who both keeps a traditional base and fearlessly seeks out new ideas. For his inaugural battle, he faces two challenges: the owner of Auberge de Suzuki in Seijo, one of the chefs of Club des Trentes; and the theme of Foie Gras, the same ingredient Michiba faced in his debut match three years ago.

The Iron Chef Chinese takes on the challenge of the head chef of the Hokuriku Plaza Hotel, a traditionalist chef who came to love the Hokuriku area and its abundance of seafood. Their seafood skills will be put to the test when presented with four large cod.

Today's challenger has become Japan's premiere culinary authority in the French technique of "vacuum cooking" (sous vide).

Lin Kunbi battled Iron Chef Michiba to the first-ever Overtime Battle before losing. He's back for revenge, this time against Michiba's successor Komei Nakamura.

Chen's opponent has been knighted in France as the Cavalier of Cheese, and is an expert in salad. Can he prevail?

Chairman Takeshi Kaga travels to battle the great chefs of France - witness as Iron Chef French #2 (Hiroyuki Sakai) and Iron Chef Japanese #2 (Koumei Nakamura) battle to defend the honor of Iron Chef and the Gourmet Academy. For the first battle, Iron Chef Japanese Nakamura battles one of the great French on location at a French castle. For a twist, the chefs are not told of the theme ingredient immediately but must first travel to the castle's courtyard to retrieve it.

Chairman Takeshi Kaga travels to battle the great chefs of France - witness as Iron Chef French #2 (Hiroyuki Sakai) and Iron Chef Japanese #2 (Koumei Nakamura) battle to defend the honor of Iron Chef and the Gourmet Academy. For the second battle, Iron Chef French Sakai and famed French chef Pierre Gagnaire are given a unique challenge. They have 24 hours to obtain authentic French ingredients, then return to the French castle site to hold the actual battle.

4x18 Chen vs He Yewen (Lettuce)

  • 1996-04-25T15:00:00Z30m

The new chef of Akasaka Rikyu demonstrates his distinctive Hong Kong cooking skills.

Chairman Kaga welcomes a woman who opened a restaurant that specializes in home-style Japanese cuisine and presents for the battle a common, everyday ingredient that fits in her style.

Morikawa's restaurant, Cay, is said to have pioneered Thai food in Japan. His patrons include Stephen Hawking and Yoko Ono. Can Chen beat him at his own game?

Mikasa-kaikan is one of the oldest and most respected French restaurants in Japan. Today's challenger is head chef of its coastal Kuganuma branch and the last direct disciple of the restaurant's late founding Grand Chef.

The challenger is the chief instructor of culinary skills at Hattori Nutrition College and was recommended by Dr. Hattori to be the new Iron Chef Japanese after Michiba retired. Because of the theme involved, the Noodle Rule is invoked for this battle. The Iron Chef must retire from the kitchen after 50 minutes as the challenger completes his dishes and presents to the judges first. As that occurs, the Iron Chef returns to complete his final ten minutes of preparation just before presenting to the judges.

Today's challenger is French-influenced Italian chef of such renown that anywhere he cooks, you'll find lines running out the door.

The challenger is one of the three best chefs in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. His restaurant has won numerous awards at national competitions. He will be the first challenger from Hokkaido to do battle in Kitchen Stadium. He opened his award winning restaurant at the age of 27. Judges: Takenori Emoto, Hisako Manda, Yukio Hatoyama, Asako Kishi

The challenger was personally trained in California Cuisine by the legendary Wolfgang Puck. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Chizuru Azuma, Ichiro Zaitsu, Asako Kishi

The challenger is a famous comedian in Japan. He is also known to be one of the most skilled chefs among entertainers. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Keiko Saito, Ichiro Zaizu Asako Kishi

The challenger leads the kitchen of a hotel on the island of Okinawa. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Kazuko Kato, Hideki Takahashi, Asako Kishi

Features chefs from each region with a battle between Son vs. Chen.

The challenger is the head of a very successful restaurant in New York. The New York Times gave his restaurant 3 stars. His grandfather is Japanese, and spent a lot of time talking to young Wayne about the culture of Japan. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Mayuko Takata, Tekenori Emoto, Yukio Hattori

The challenger is the head chef for several hotel kitchens. He lives near the largest fishing seaport in all of Japan. He uses his speed in the kitchen to overcome his small stature. He is known as Ushiwakamaru. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Nagisa Katahira, Tenmai Kanoh, Asako Kishi

The challenger is the owner/chef at a restaurant known as a favorite of Japanese author Shusaku Endo. He trained in France for five years before returning to Japan. He was unhappy with the direction of French cuisine in Japan, so he opened his own restaurant. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Megumi Ooishi, Takao Horiuchi, Asako Kishi

New Year's Special: 100 judges taste osechi (new year food)

Season Premiere

1997-01-09T15:00:00Z

5x01 Sakai vs Kasahara Hiroshi (Rice Cake)

Season Premiere

5x01 Sakai vs Kasahara Hiroshi (Rice Cake)

  • 1997-01-09T15:00:00Z30m

The challenger is the 25-year-old son of a prominent Chinese cuisine chef whose restaurant "Kochouran" in Kobe was demolished during the huge earthquake back in 1995. It's been 2 years by the time they taped this, and the chairman, while disappointed that the chef of Kochouran permanently quit the business when his restaurant was destroyed, was pleased to find the chef's son as the head chef of Canton Shuka "Ten" in Kobe. Kaga's theme announcement expressed confidence that Kobe was indeed building its "pillars" or foundations firmly after the disaster. The word for "pillar" in Japanese is "hashira". This immediately brings to mind "kai-bashira" (shell-pillars, a common idiom for the adductor muscle of bivalves). But not just any kaibashira - no, they had to be the most prized "kaibashira" in Chinese cuisine - dried scallops, also known as ganbei or conpoy. Judges: Eimoto Takinori (Baseball?), Megumi Oishi (Newscaster), Zaitsu Ichiro (Actor?), Asako Kishi (Critic)

The challenger is the head chef of a London restaurant that was established in 1798. He is a master of Gibier (wild game) cuisine. Only four months after this episode originally aired in Japan, Chef Kennedy died after a fall in his restaurant.

It is only the second overtime battle in the history of Kitchen Stadium. The chefs used most of the supplies and ingredients in the first battle, so they must be creative during this 30-minute overtime cook-off.

1997-02-13T15:00:00Z

5x06 Chen vs Kou Houkou (Rice)

5x06 Chen vs Kou Houkou (Rice)

  • 1997-02-13T15:00:00Z30m

The challenger is Premier Chef in China. He is an expert in Fujian Cuisine. This is a battle between two outstanding Chinese chefs.

Club Mistral is back with yet another challenger for Sakai. Shimada trained in France for 5 years before returning to Japan. He hopes to show that the new generation of French chefs in Japan is ready to take over. Can Sakai fight back the challenge?

1997-03-06T15:00:00Z

5x09 Sakai vs Jyo Etsuo (Wine)

5x09 Sakai vs Jyo Etsuo (Wine)

  • 1997-03-06T15:00:00Z30m

This battle does not have a theme ingredient, but it does have a theme. Hanami, or flower viewing, is the theme of this battle. The challenger is a Chinese chef. He heads a Chinese restaurant with a long history. The tasting area is set up outside under the Sakura. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Asano Yuko, Eiji Bando, Masumi Okada, Asako Kishi

The challenger is a woman who specializes in the cuisine of Spain. This is a very close battle that is decided by one point. Judges: Tenmei Kano, Minako Tanaka (Actress), Tsurutato Kataoka (Actor), Asako Kishi (Critic)

The challenger trained under the legendary French chef Paul Bocuse. (I think he may have been the first Japanese chef that Bocuse trained.) Judges: Tenmei Kanoh (Photographer), Sayuri Ishikawa (Actress), Sanshi Katsura (??), Asako Kishi (Critic)

The challenger was once a chef at Nadaman, the restaurant where Nakamura currently works. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Kishimoto Kayoko, Hideki Takahashi, Asako Kishi

Despite having had challengers from around the world, Chairman Kaga had not welcomed a chef from Australia. The challenger is the owner/chef at Indigo. She began her training at age 19. At age 31, she opened her own restaurant. She wants the world to know that Australian cooking is more than just prawns on the barbecue and beer in the hand. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Chizuru Azuma, Masaki Kanda, Asako Kishi

Kitchen Stadium has been open for a little more than three and a half years. The last of the original Iron Chefs is Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi. The challenger excels at Shanhai style cooking. He challenger began his training at the age of 15. He feels he is the best Japanese Shanghai style chef. What better ingredient for competing styles of Chinese cuisine than the Chinese delicacy Pitan (thousand-year egg)? Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Lisa Junna, Chai Ran, Joji Yamamoto

The brother of the challenger did battle against Chen in a Swordfish battle two years earlier. It is an Italian vs. French battle. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Keiko Saito (Actress), Tatsuo Umemiya (Actor), Asako Kishi (Critic)

The challenger is the number two man at one of Kandagawa Honten, the main restaurant of Toshiro Kandagawa. He is only 27 years old. Judges: Emoto Takenori, Reiko Takashima, Tsurutaro Kataoka, Asako Kishi

This is the debut battle of Iron Chef Italian Masahiko Kobe. It's been four years since Kitchen Stadium opened. We travel to one of the best Italian restaurants in the world, Inotecha Pinchiori, to find the newest Iron Chef, Iron Chef Italian Masahiko Kobe (27). Today's challenger has been in Kitchen Stadium before. He battled Iron Chef Chen Kenichi back in 1995, in the Scampi Battle. He is considered one of the best pasta chefs in Japan. This has to be the first battle where the challenger actually has more experience in Kitchen Stadium than the Iron Chef. There will be one later when one of Michiba's former assistants battles Morimoto in only his 5th appearance as Iron Chef. (Sweetfish) Kaga welcomes the challenger and summons the three Iron Chefs. He then tells the challenger, "Of course, today you won't be doing battle with these three." The first thing you'll notice once the gong of fate sounds is that deliberate pace with which Kobe approaches the theme. This may be the only time I have ever seen him not running to the podium to get his ingredients. He is moving as slowly as I've ever seen him move. Every now and then, Kobe gets a look of confusion, but that's somewhat understandable as it is his first battle. They keep mentioning the fact that Kobe is 27 years old. In the royal box today are challengers from previous battles. - Yamada (Cabbage) - Kobayashi (Pumpkin) - Osako (Mushroom ) - Uetake (Peach) - Kitami (Tomato) Challenger's Dishes --Rice pasta, two-color hors d'ourves --Handmade pasta in eggplant --Foie Gras and Duck Ravioli --Rotelli Soup --macaroni and Farfalle two-color pasta --Beef Filet and Truffle Conchiglie Round Wrap --Pasta "Napkin" dessert Iron Chef's Dishes --Scallop & Conchiglie Gratin & ?? Salad --Tomato ?? Soup, Gnocci --Chocolate Trofie --Penne & Broccoli with Mushroom Sauce --Cheese Pasta Wrap Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Masumi Okada (Actor), Kazuko Katoh (Actress), Asako Kishi

The challenger lives on the Izu Peninsula, west of Tokyo. It is a region known for its hot springs and abundant fish. Of course, his dishes are full of the flavors of the sea. Judges: Shinichiro Kuriimoto, Akiko Yano, Kunihiko Mitamura, Asako Kishi

The challenger is a top chef from Hong Kong. He has won many cooking competitions. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Saya Takagi, Chai Lam, Asako Kishi

The challenger trained in France, but he now specializes in Vietnamese cooking. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Keiko Saito, Hideki Takahasi, Asako Kishi

The challenger started training to be a chef at the age of 15. He earns praise from both Iron Chef Chen and Dr. Yukio Hattori. The Chairman calls him the future of Chinese cooking in Japan. Judges: Takenori Emoto, Megumi Oishi, Yasosuke Bando, Asako Kishi

The challenger is a sushi chef from Yokohama who is a favorite of famous athletes and entertainers. He entered the sushi world at age the age of 16. Chairman Kaga calls him a sushi artisan. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Kayoko Kishimoto, Ichiro Zaitsu, Asako Kishi

This is the second battle in Kitchen Stadium for the new Iron Chef Italian, Masahiko Kobe. He lost his first time in action, and the Chairman wants to see if he has what it takes to win as an Iron Chef. The challenger has cooked for many famous celebrities. He began cooking at age 13. He headed the kitchen at a hotel restaurant in Italy before leaving to head a restaurant in Japan. He arrived in Japan just two months before this battle. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Hitomi Takahashi (Actress), Sunplaza Nakano (Musician), Asako Kishi (Critic)

The challenger is the fourth sent by Club Mistral to take on Iron Chef Sakai. The chef operates a restaurant in Ginza. I think the ladies of Ginza really like his dishes. It has been three years since Club Mistral sent their first challenger to Kitchen Stadium. We will have the theme ingredient again that was used by the chairman Miyamoto. Milk is the theme and the Chairman arranges for two cows to be brought into Kitchen Stadium so the chefs can have the freshest possible theme ingredient. Judges: Takenori Emoto, Naomi Kawashima, Takao Horiuchi, Asako Kishi

It is summertime, and Chairman Kaga wants to celebrate with a summer festival. The Iron Chefs are divided into two teams: Asia Team (Chen and Nakamura) and Europe Team (Sakai and Kobe). Kaga asks, What theme do I choose for a dream tag match? That summer fruit. Watermelon. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Keiko Saito, Tatuo Meidaka, Asako Kishi

It is time for the Obon Festival in Japan. (It traditionally takes place in mid-August) The challenger is a buddhist monk who prepares vegetarian meals. She is the younger sister of the challenger from Season 2, Sakai vs. Sotetsu Fujii in the Yam Battle Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Harumi Inoue, Kotaro Satomi, Asako Kishi

The challenger is the number one French chef on Kyushu. He opened his own restaurant at the age of 26. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Senri Yamabuki, Tetsuya Bessho, Yoshiko Ishii

The challenger is the number one French chef on Kyushu. He opened his own restaurant at the age of 26. The previous battle between these two chefs was declared a no contest by The Chairman. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Hiroko Moriguchi, Gitan Ootsuru, Yoshiko Ishii

The challenger has declined many invitations from Chairman Kaga to do battle in Kitchen Stadium. He heads a French restaurant in Aoyama, Tokyo. He trained in top restaurants in France. It’s a French on French battle as Toshiyuki Nakajima takes on Iron Chef Sakai in Battle Beef Cheek. To add to the tension, apparently Sakai’s restaurant is not far from the challenger’s.

This challenger is the youngest ever to enter Kitchen Stadium. At the young age of 22, she already heads the kitchen of a bustling Chinese restaurant in Tokyo. She was only 7 when she began helping her father in the kitchen that she eventually took over. She feels that a chef’s job is more important than that of a doctor. Once again, Chen is called upon to take on a female challenger.

The challenger’s restaurant is often visited by Crown Prince Akihito, Princess Masako and Princess Kiko. He started his culinary training at the age of 15. He became a head chef at 24. The Chairman spent 1 million yen on the theme ingredient for these young chefs. (That’s a little over $12,000 now, about $8,200 back then.)

1997-10-09T15:00:00Z

5x38 1997 World Cup

5x38 1997 World Cup

  • 1997-10-09T15:00:00Z30m

1997 "World Cup" tournament in Arashiyama. Liu Xikun vs. Nakamura (Beef) and Alain Passard vs. Patrick Clark (Homard Lobster). The winners face each other in a Foie Gras Battle.

Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Yoshizumi Ishihara, Keiko Saito, Asako Kishi

Iron Chef Kobe is the Prince of Pasta. His challenger tonight is the Prince of Chinese cuisine. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Kazuko Kato, Koki Mitani, Chieko Honma

Season Premiere

1998-01-08T15:00:00Z

6x01 Chen vs Inoue Akihiko (Aramaki Salmon)

Season Premiere

6x01 Chen vs Inoue Akihiko (Aramaki Salmon)

  • 1998-01-08T15:00:00Z30m

Nakamura's final fight is with Hattori Yukio in Battle Tuna.

Nakamura's final fight is with Hattori Yukio in Battle Tuna.

Morimoto’s debut as an Iron Chef brings a difficult challenger—Yukio Hirayama.

In honor of the Girls' Festival, Kaga invites a challenger from the ancient city of Kamakura, Motohito Kondo, who had training in Kyoto and is an expert in both tea and sake. He challenges Iron Chef French Sakai. For this one battle only, there is no theme ingredient (the theme is the Girls' Festival itself), and the chefs are invited to improvise dishes using only the ingredients provided by the Kitchen Stadium pantry. Judges (for this occasion, all female spanning four generations): Yumi Adachi (Actress, Teen), Naomi Hosokawa (Actress, Young Adult), Yoko Akino (Actress, Middle-Age), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic, Elder)

Pinchiorri, the perfectionist, was a female chef in the 70's who combined French and Italian cooking techniques. Iron Chef Kobe was her apprentice. Angelo Paracucchi was also working to revolutionize Italian cooking. His star pupil, Mario Frittoli, is a master chef and today's challenger. These 2 students of Italian masters will face off in battle broccoli.

The challenger, one of the last proteges of Chen Kenmin, is a master at using oils in his Chinese cooking. This is Morimoto's second battle. Can the secrets of Chinese cuisine beat the innovations of the Iron Chef Japanese?

Tomoji Ichikawa is a French superchef in Japan. He has traveled and trained extensively in France under Pierre Troisgros. Iron Chef French will have his hands full in this battle, specially designed around Wedgewood china. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Fmr House Member), Kuniko Asagi (Actress), Masumi Okada (Actor), Kazuko Hosoki

The challenger is a Master Chef hailing from Kyoto. He, like most Iron Chefs, combines traditional knowledge with cutting edge technique and flavors to create exquisite dishes. He has the support of former Iron Chef Michiba and Dr. Yatori. Can the Iron Chef win this battle?

The challenger is a seafood expert: he chooses and cooks gifts from the sea masterfully He has apprenticed in the top kitchens of Japan. Which competitor will find the soul of the sea?

The challenger is a stubborn chef descended from a long line of Tokyo dwellers. Restaurants run in his family. Iron Chef Japanese will have his hand's full facing such a strong tradition. It's traditional Japanese versus neo-Japanese cooking.

The challenger is one of the few Mexican food specialists in Tokyo. He opened the first restaurant dedicated to Latin cuisine. He specializes in authentic Mexican food, rather than American versions of Latin cuisine. This is a Latin duel in Kitchen Stadium

Andre Pachon is the leader of the French Chef community in Japan. Several of his apprentices have already appeared, but this time Pachon sends his number one man.

The younger sibling of the Liang brothers, rulers of Cantonese cuisine in Japan, faces Iron Chef Chinese.

The highly-anticipated Pork Belly Battle ends in a tie, forcing a 30-minute overtime battle: this time using Konnyaku (Arum Root).

The challenger is a woman who knows what she likes. As an elite culinary critic, she also trained at Cordon Bleu and at Taillevent, an elite French restaurant in Paris to better understand cooking. Iron Chef French will have his hands full.

Former Iron Chef Michiba decides that Morimoto needs some helpfinding his feet in Kitchen Stadium, so he recruits his number one sous chef from his own days in Kitchen Stadium. Kenichi Miyanaga knows the Stadium well. Can the new Iron Chef prove his worth?

1998-06-18T15:00:00Z

6x22 Chen vs Kentaro (Potato)

6x22 Chen vs Kentaro (Potato)

  • 1998-06-18T15:00:00Z30m

Japan's culinary media is dominated by today's challenger, a food critic, musician, and graphic artist. The son a of a famous chef and former challenger, Kentaro is determined to make a name for himself in Kitchen Stadium.

The Iron Chef Italian is challenged by an Italian chef who never ceases to pack his restaurant with customers: quite a feat for a chef hailing from Kyoto, a place infamous for having very refined taste.

Morimoto fights a traditionalist chef who fills his dishes with nostalgia.

Maiji Kinenkan is the oldest bridal hall in Japan undergoing an upgrade to celebrate its 50th anniversary. This includes the addition of a Chinese restaurant, and its new grand chef, a Cantonese master and an expert in cooking for large gatherings, is today's challenger.

Dubbed the scientist of cooking, the challenger has studied Italian, French and Japanese techniques for over 17 years. He is even praised by culinary critic Asako Kishi.

Today's challenger carries the samurai spirit of Yamaguchi Prefecture and a vast knowledge of kelp which he employs to produce broths which he claims are key to his dishes.

The Iron Chef Italian is called upon to face Miyoko Sakai, a famed Thai food critic who has had the privilege to learn the secrets of royal Thai cuisine straight from the source—Thai Princess Sita—and has been passing on the techniques to Thai chefs throughout Tokyo. The theme ingredient is Blue Crab, a luxurious shellfish familiar to the challenger. The Thai ambassador to Japan and his wife are invited to observe and taste. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh (Photographer), Kayoko Kishimoto (Actress), Nobuhiro Takeda (Soccer Player), Kazuko Hosoki (Fortune Teller)

Iron Chef Morimoto faces another traditionalist: this one infamous for his temper, his steadfast discipline, and his adherence to tradition despite hailing from Kobe, the port city well-known for its foreign influences.

Chen's challenger is a man who mastered Chaozhou-style Chinese cuisine: an exacting style that is actually able to please the sensitive tastes of customers in Kyoto.

Part 1 of 2: To celebrate 2,000 dishes in Kitchen Stadium, Chairman Kaga announces a special battle, pitting two teams of elite chefs against each other in a special 90-minute battle. Team All French features Iron Chef Sakai, Honorary Iron Chef Ishinabe, and sauce specialist Etsuoh Joh. Team All Chinese features Iron Chef Chen, Neo-Chinese chef Yuji Wakiya, and Shanghai specialist Sozo Miyamoto. Each team must prepare their meals on special large platters made for the occasion and will work with three of Kaga's favorite theme ingredients: Pork, Soft-Shell Turtle, and Banana. This episode also chronicles Kaga's favorite and least favorite dishes.

Part 2 of 2: The special battle to honor 2,000 dishes in Kitchen Stadium continues with Team All French (Sakai, Ishinabe, Joh) versus Team All Chinese (Chen, Wakiya, Miyamoto), each working to complete their special meals set on platters made for the occasion. The judgment provides a surprise ending. Judges: Mitsuko Ishii (Newscaster, one of the first judges), Shinichiro Kurimoto (Lower House Member, second-most-frequent judge), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic, most-frequent judge), Kenji Fukui (The Show's Announcer)

Sakai battles the "conjurer of garlic", an Italian chef who learned to embrace the pungent ingredient as real Italians do. Sakai is further challenged by the choice of ingredient: live squids.

Three years after losing to Iron Chef Chen, the Italian restaurant Sabatini demands a rematch, this time sending in the Master Chef of their Tokyo restaurant. The result is a perfect echo of three years ago: against Iron Chef Chen Kenichi and with sardines as the theme.

Led by Tadamichi Ohta, the chef who defeated Sakai, the Ohta faction invades Kitchen Stadium to uphold traditional Japanese cuisine. Fuji is Ohta's first contender against Morimoto.

Tasaki is a world champion sommelier who always dreamed of becoming a famed chef. Chairman Kaga decides to grant him his wish.

An American chef enters Kitchen Stadium for a lobster battle.

The first female challenger in Kitchen Stadium, the 26 year old Kagata defeated Chen Kenichi. Years later, after studying under Chef Shimamura at the Royal Park Hotel and opening her own restaurant, she returns to fight Chen again with milk-fed veal.

One month ago, the Ohta faction "invaded" Kitchen Stadium to fight Morimoto with traditional Japanese cuisine. Their leader, Tadamichi Ohta, now sends a second challenger.

Iron Chef Italian Kobe is pitted against an unusual Italian cuisine chef who operates out of his own food cart.

Nagayama was brought in to revive the venerated Tokyo University restaurant Shochiku, and now his old-and-new style will go against an Iron Chef.

Chen defends his honor against the famed restaurant Hei Chin Rou in this Bok Choy battle.

The challenger likes to follow one of the philosophies of Rosanjin: 'never kill the natural flavor of the ingredient.' He is known as the Prince of Japanese cuisine. He is extremely picky about the ingredients he uses. The theme ingredient costs about $150/kg ($68/lb). This is a battle between the Prince of Japanese cuisine and the Prince of Pasta.

By the age of 13, Molinari was already a chef at a 3-star restaurant. Now, cultures clash in this mushroom battle.

Iron Chef Sakai's opponent in this battle is the third generation of a family that has become famous for exploring the world in search of prime ingredients to incorporate into unique recipes.

This octopus showdown has everyone up in arms.

The elite Chinese restaurant Hei Chin Rou sends its second "hitman" against Iron Chef Chen after he defeated Yaginuma one month ago. If Chen takes down this challenger, he will be the first Iron Chef to 60 wins.

Season Finale

1998-12-24T15:00:00Z

6x49 Morimoto vs Jiro Ogue (Turkey)

Season Finale

6x49 Morimoto vs Jiro Ogue (Turkey)

  • 1998-12-24T15:00:00Z30m

For the 1998 Christmas day battle, the contender is the successor of Alain Chapel, a successful 3 star restaurant owner. Side Note : Christmas is not a holiday in Japan, people still have to work that day.

Season Premiere

1999-01-07T15:00:00Z

7x01 Chen vs Xie Huaxian (Lobster)

Season Premiere

7x01 Chen vs Xie Huaxian (Lobster)

  • 1999-01-07T15:00:00Z30m

Opening battle of the New Year features the Grand Chef of Hei Chin Rou. After two of his men lost to Chen, the Grand Master decides that he will be the next opponent to Chen so he can regain the pride of Hei Chin Rou. Theme Ingredient: Spiny Lobster Judges: Tenmeh Kanoh (Photographer), Hisako Manda (Actress), Kazuhiro Sasaki (YBPitcher), Kazuko Hosoki (FT)

Niigata prefecture is known for its rice and sake. The challenger represents the indigenous style of Niigata. Former Iron Chef Michiba speaks highly of the ryokan where the challenger is the chef. He is a rice connoisseur.

Iron Chef Italian Kobe once again faces the challenge of a native Italian with other Italian chefs cheering the challenger on and the colorful bell pepper as the theme.

Toshiro Kandagawa is not happy with the results from the Ohta Faction challengers so far. Two have tried to defeat Morimoto, and two have failed. Ohta responds by choosing a challenger that is skilled at using salt. This challenger first met Ohta when he was only 15. Eight years later, he was one of Ohta's favorite cooks. He feels that salt is essential for drawing out the natural flavors of the ingredients. Will the third time be the charm for the Ohta Faction.

The Royal Park Hotel's Grand Chef Mitsuo Shimamura's last two proteges defeated the Iron Chefs. Iio is Shimamura's right hand man, and his strongest yet to enter Kitchen Stadium.

See who slips in the battle of banana, Iron Chef Kobe or Hironobu Tsujiguchi.

Chen takes on Ryozo Asao, the heir to a French restaurant dynasty, with sturgeon, a kind of fish known for its caviar.

The first hour of the Morimoto Retrospective: Michiba & Morimoto tour New York City

Today's challenger is endorsed by Tenmei Kanoh: photographer and frequent Iron Chef judge. A native of Niigata prefecture, this French-trained chef takes the route of using local ingredients in his dishes as is done in regional French restaurants.

Newcomer Seiya Masahara takes on Iron Chef Morimoto over anglerfish, a deep-sea delicacy.

Specializing in Chinese imperial cuisine, Tsui Yu Fun challenges Iron Chef Chen's Szechuan-style cooking in the battle of Chinese cabbage.

While Japanese cuisine tends to tradition-bound. This challenger refuses to be bound by old rules. He respects the basics, but is always looking for new ways to expand. He entered cooking at the age of 18. He joined a group with a 178-year tradition in Edo-style cooking. Because of the theme involved, the Noodle Rule is invoked for this battle. The Iron Chef must retire from the kitchen after 50 minutes as the challenger completes his dishes and presents to the judges first. As that occurs, the Iron Chef returns to complete his final ten minutes of preparation just before presenting to the judges.

A master of Roman cuisine devotes himself to proving that his Italian cuisine is better than the Iron Chef's.

Morimoto faces the newest challenger from the Ohta faction, who want to prove that the Iron Chef and his innovative cooking methods are too bizarre. The challenger relies on saki to add traditional flavors.

The Cod Roe battle ended in a tie, leading the chefs to battle with green onions (scallions).

The Kihachi sends its third challenger into Kitchen Stadium. So far the Iron Chefs have been successful against these well trained chefs. Can Chen continue the winning streak against Takeshi Okubo?

The Iron Chef must face an authentic French chef who is endorsed by some of the top culinary experts of the day. The battle mimics the Sopexa, the most famous French culinary battle in Japan.

The Iron Chefs have been on a 3-6 slump that has left Chairman Kaga too upset to host today's challenger: an Italian chef endorsed by Masaki Kanda. Dr. Yukio Hattori has to step in as acting chairman as the challenger chooses Iron Chef Chen who has lost his last two matches and is under incredible pressure to stop both his skid and that of the Iron Chefs in general.

Japanese Iron Chef Emeritus Michiba and Japanese Iron Chef Morimoto travel to Indonesia

Japanese Iron Chef Emeritus Michiba and Japanese Iron Chef Morimoto travel to Indonesia

Osada is the head chef of Nangoku-shuka, the Chinese restaurant that brought shark fin soup to Japan. The Prince of Pasta shows up to battle the newest challenger in this Chinese versus Italian battle.

The secret ingredient isn't an ingredient at all, but actually a style. The chairman, however, gives the chefs five themes to focus their sushi: tuna, kohada, anago, eggs, and kanpyo.

Iron Chef Sakai travels back to his home of Kagoshima prefecture to contemplate his 40 years as a chef. As he reminisces and reunites with old friends, he receives a challenge from an old classmate of his who forged his own culinary path in hotel kitchens. Chairman Kaga welcomes the challenger and decides on Kagoshima black pork for the theme.

A Canadian superchef was inspired by an episode he watched. He brings his fine French cuisine to battle Morimoto.

Michiba returns to Kitchen Stadium, this time with his assistant as the competitor he's sponsoring. Yuji Tateno enters Kitchen Stadium prepared to battle an Iron Chef and to change the minds of the world-famous Zagats, culinary experts. What dish will exemplify sea urchin the best?

Kyoto's Gion festival inspires the Chairman to find a Kyoto cuisine expert. The combatants must create dishes focused on the flavor of the pike conger.

The two chefs battle it out over jumbo mushrooms. The challenger is a mushroom expert, so Kobe has his work cut out for him.

In this special episode, the 300th competitor enters kitchen stadium. The chairman has Chen face a French challenger with an ingredient that does not lend itself to his cooking style.

When the 300th challenger entered kitchen stadium, everyone expected an epic battle. This tie breaker is part two of the massive battle.

7x32 Kobe vs Sakai Hiroki (Eel)

  • 1999-08-12T15:00:00Z30m

The challenger is an Italian chef who has impressed some of the biggest names in Kubuki-za theater. Will he impress the judges in Kitchen Stadium?

Morimoto faces a like-minded challenger who like he frequents the United States and has a unique, unbounded approach to cooking. Watanabe is the head chef of Tableaux, top of the Global Dining Group of trendy themed nightspots popular with the younger generation.

Today's challenger is the protege of Noboru Inoue, one of the pioneers of traditional French cuisine in Japan. They believe French chefs in Japan today are straying too far from its roots and want to challenge Iron Chef French Sakai to set the record straight. The sea ray rules the ocean, who will rule the kitchen?

Two Iron Chefs will enter kitchen stadium, but only one can advance. Chen versus Kobe in a pork battle for the ages.

Steamed Bell Pepper custard and Bell Pepper Royale with Pike Eel feature in this match between Morimoto and Sakai.

Chen versus Sakai in what is supposed to be the grand finale of the tournament. Both Iron Chefs go all out with dishes like a classic lobster bisque and a cutting edge egg mousse and gratin au chili lobster. As the tournament nears its end, Sakai has been crowned King of Iron Chefs. Or has he? The chairman has another battle up his sleeve.

A Continuation of King Of Iron Chef's Tournament Finals Part 1. The winner of the Homard Battle between Chen Kenichi and Hiroyuki Sakai will be revealed

Alain Passard vs. Sakai, the winner of the King of the Iron Chef Tournament. The theme is Longgang Chicken. The challenger for this final Kitchen Stadium battle has been here before. He competed against Iron Chef Komei Nakamura in the 1997 Iron Chef World Cup. That battle ended in a tie. Chairman Kaga has invited him back to take care of this unfinished business. This chef is called the best in the world by some. He is a three star chef from France. He began cooking at 8 years old. This will a very tough challenge for the Iron Chef.

Season Premiere

8x01 Battle Chicken

Season Premiere

8x01 Battle Chicken

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Iron Chef Yosuke Suga, defender of French cuisine, takes on challenger Yosuke Kawasaki, a Western-style chef, in an epic battle featuring a seemingly simple ingredient: chicken.

8x02 Battle Mushroom

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Iron Chef Yosuke Suga, defender of French cuisine, faces off against challenger and Italian food expert Mitsuaki Okamura over an altar full of maitake, shimeji, enoki, nameko and shiitake.

Japanese lobster is the featured ingredient as Iron Chef Jun Kurogi, defender of Japanese cuisine, goes up Katsuyasu Ito, an expert in farm-to-table Japanese cuisine who has the influence of two nominators behind him.

8x04 Battle Cheese

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Iron Chef Jun Kurogi, defender of Japanese cuisine, takes on challenger Kazuhide Nose, a master in French food. The battle ingredient, cheese, is familiar to American audiences but uncommon and potentially tricky for the Japanese chefs.

8x05 Battle Beef

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Iron Chef Yuji Wakiya -- defender of Chinese cuisine -- takes on French food expert Noriyuki Hamada. This grueling challenge features a secret ingredient that's both known and beloved across the world.

8x06 Battle Scallop

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It's a battle featuring the best the sea has to offer! Will Iron Chef Yosuke Suga -- defender of French cuisine -- hold his own against famed ramen chef Hideki Irie?

8x07 Battle Strawberry

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It's time for something sweet! In this very special episode, savory icon Iron Chef Yosuke Suga -- defender of French cuisine -- takes on patissier Toshihiko Yoroizuka in a battle of the berries.

Chef Takemasa Kinoshita has supported challengers as a sous chef in the past and is very familiar with Kitchen Stadium. Now, he must return to assert his culinary prowess against defender of Japanese cuisine, Iron Chef Jun Kurogi.

8x09 Battle Pacific Cod

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Iron Chef and defender of Chinese cuisine Yuji Wakiya has quite a challenge on his hands. His predecessor -- Iron Chef Sakai -- has orchestrated a battle with Toshiyuki Kudo in what promises to be an iconic competition.

Iron Chef Yoske Suga -- defender of French cuisine -- takes on Iron Chef Thailand's Ian Kittichai. The two talented chefs face off in a Culinary World Cup that features spiny lobster.

8x11 Battle Apple

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Iron Chef Yuki Wakiaya -- defender of Chinese cuisine -- takes on Iron Chef America legend Masaharu Morimoto. This Culinary World Cup battle features apples!

8x12 Battle Yellowtail

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Two accomplished chefs face off in an epic battle featuring yellowtail. In this Culinary World Cup, Iron Chef Jun Kurogi -- defender of Japanese cuisine -- takes on original Iron Chef Japan Rokusaburo Michiba in a battle to see whose cuisine reigns supreme.

8x13 Battle Tofu

  • no air date45m

Iron Chef Yosuke Suga -- defender of French cuisine -- takes on homegrown family restaurant chef Hayato Nakano. The two competitors face off in an epic battle that involves tofu!

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