About this season
Iron Chef is a Japanese television cooking show produced by Fuji Television. The series, which premiered on October 10, 1993, is a stylized cook-off featuring guest chefs challenging one of the show's resident "Iron Chefs" in a timed cooking battle built around a specific theme ingredient. The series ended on September 24, 1999, although occasional specials were produced until 2002. The series aired 309 episodes. Repeats are regularly aired on the Cooking Channel in the United States and on Special Broadcasting Service in Australia. Fuji TV will air a new version of the show, titled Iron Chef, beginning in October 26, 2012.
Episodes (49)
1. Chen vs Inoue Akihiko (Salmon Battle)
Aired 9 January 1998 • 30 min
2. Kobe vs Fukazu Yasuhiro (Deer Battle)
Aired 16 January 1998 • 30 min
3. Sakai vs Matsumoto Yoshimasa (Crab Battle)
Aired 23 January 1998 • 30 min
4. Chen vs Tou Choki (Black Tiger Battle)
Aired 30 January 1998 • 30 min
5. Sakai vs Sato Fumiaki (Radish Battle)
Aired 6 February 1998 • 30 min
6. Nakamura Retirement Special
Aired 13 February 1998 • 30 min
Nakamura's final fight is with Hattori Yukio in Battle Tuna.
7. Nakamura's Retirement Special (Tuna Battle) Part II
Aired 20 February 1998 • 30 min
Nakamura's final fight is with Hattori Yukio in Battle Tuna.
8. Morimoto vs Hirayama Yukio (Red Snapper Battle)
Aired 27 February 1998 • 30 min
Morimoto’s debut as an Iron Chef brings a difficult challenger—Yukio Hirayama.
9. Sakai vs Kondo Motohito (Girls' Festival)
Aired 6 March 1998 • 30 min
10. Kobe vs. Mario Frittoli (Broccoli Battle)
Aired 13 March 1998 • 30 min
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.
11. Morimoto vs Kimura Masayoshi (Rice Battle)
Aired 4 April 1998 • 30 min
The challenger 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 Iron Chef Japanese?
12. Sakai vs Tomoji Ichikawa (Guinea Fowl Battle)
Aired 10 April 1998 • 30 min
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
13. Chen vs Harada Mitsuro (Spanish Mackerel Battle)
Aired 17 April 1998 • 30 min
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?
14. Chen vs Shimamura Takashi (Pen Shell Battle)
Aired 24 April 1998 • 30 min
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?
15. Morimoto vs. Tetsuo Hagiwara (Bamboo Shoots Battle)
Aired 1 May 1998 • 30 min
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.
16. Kobe vs. Yosei Watanabe (Mango Battle)
Aired 8 May 1998 • 30 min
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
17. Morimoto vs. Yasuhiko Habuchi (Asparagus Battle)
Aired 15 May 1998 • 30 min
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.
18. Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Pork Belly Battle)
Aired 22 May 1998 • 30 min
The younger sibling of the Liang brothers, rulers of Cantonese cuisine in Japan, faces Iron Chef Chinese.
19. Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Konnyaku Battle) Overtime
Aired 29 May 1998 • 30 min
Battle Arum Root.
20. Sakai vs Kobayashi Kumiko (Mishima Beef Battle)
Aired 5 June 1998 • 30 min
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 will have his hands full in the Battle: French.
21. Morimoto vs Kenichi Miyanaga (Sweetfish Battle)
Aired 12 June 1998 • 30 min
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?
22. Chen vs Kentaro (Potato Battle)
Aired 19 June 1998 • 30 min
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.
23. Kobe vs. Yasuhiro Sasajima (Eggplant Battle)
Aired 26 June 1998 • 30 min
24. Morimoto vs. Takaji Yoshida (Tofu Battle)
Aired 3 July 1998 • 30 min
Morimoto fights a traditionalist chef who fills his dishes with nostalgia.
25. Sakai vs Shimokawa Shuzo (Jinhua Pork Battle)
Aired 10 July 1998 • 30 min
26. Chen vs. Junichi Itoh (Yogurt Battle)
Aired 17 July 1998 • 30 min
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.
27. Morimoto vs Kajimoto Takeshi (Abalone Battle)
Aired 24 July 1997 • 30 min
28. Kobe vs Sakai Miyoko (Blue Crab Battle)
Aired 31 July 1998 • 30 min
29. Morimoto vs Hirokazu Handa (Giant Eel Battle)
Aired 7 August 1998 • 30 min
30. Sakai vs Watabe Masanobu (Peach Battle)
Aired 14 August 1998 • 30 min
31. Chen vs Miyazawa Kaoru (Carp Battle)
Aired 21 August 1998 • 30 min
32. 2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part I
Aired 28 August 1998 • 30 min
Part 1 of 2: Chen and Sakai gain partners, as Kaga demands a french vs Chinese showdown. The chairman also surprises everyone with 3 theme ingredients. Pork, Snapping Turtle and Banana
33. 2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part II
Aired 4 September 1998 • 30 min
Sakai vs. Chen. Each have a special partner chef assigned by Kaga in a French vs. Chinese showdown.
34. Sakai vs Kyonori Miura (Squid Battle)
Aired 11 September 1998 • 30 min
Sakai battles the "conjurer of garlic".
35. Chen vs Maruyama Hideki (Sardine Battle)
Aired 18 September 1998 • 30 min
36. Morimoto vs. Shuichi Fuji (Salmon Battle)
Aired 25 September 1998 • 30 min
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.
37. Kobe vs. Shinya Tasaki (Tuna Battle)
Aired 2 October 1998 • 30 min
Tasaki is a world champion sommelier who always dreamed of becoming a famed chef. Chairman Kaga decides to grant him his wish.
38. Sakai vs Ron Siegel (Lobster Battle)
Aired 9 October 1998 • 30 min
An American chef enters Kitchen Stadium for a lobster battle.
39. Chen vs Kagata Kyoko (Veal Battle)
Aired 16 October 1998 • 30 min
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.
40. Morimoto vs Tatsutoshi Kumamoto (Natto Battle)
Aired 23 October 1998 • 30 min
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.
41. Kobe vs. Kensuke Sakai (Pumpkin Battle)
Aired 30 October 1998 • 30 min
42. Sakai vs Kazumi Nagayama (Saury Battle)
Aired 6 November 1998 • 30 min
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.
43. Chen vs. Hisao Yaginuma (Shanghai Cabbage Battle)
Aired 13 November 1998 • 30 min
Chen defends his honor in this Bok Choy battle.
44. Kobe vs. Takatsugu Sasaoka (Maitake Battle)
Aired 20 November 1998 • 30 min
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.
45. Morimoto vs. Marco Molinari (Porcini Battle)
Aired 27 November 1998 • 30 min
By the age of 13, Molinari was already a chef at a 3-star restaurant. Now, cultures clash in this mushroom battle.
46. Sakai vs Hazama Mitsuo (Duck Battle)
Aired 4 December 1998 • 30 min
47. Kobe vs Yoneda Hiromichi (Octopus Battle)
Aired 11 December 1998 • 30 min
This octopus showdown has everyone up in arms.
48. Chen vs Mitsuo Suganuma (Shark Fin Battle)
Aired 18 December 1998 • 30 min
49. Morimoto vs. Jiro Ogue (Turkey Battle)
Aired 25 December 1998 • 30 min
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.