List of Iron Chef episodes
This is the list of episodes for the Japanese cooking television series Ryōri no Tetsujin, known among English-speaking audiences as Iron Chef, produced by Fuji Television. The series is a cooking competition in which a challenger chef "battles" one of the resident "Iron Chefs" by cooking at least one dish in a one-hour time slot based on a theme ingredient.
Not included in the lists below are special two "Legend of" episodes, one about Rokusaburo Michiba, the other about Chen Kenichi and Hiroyuki Sakai. Both special episodes are made exclusively for the English-speaking audiences, especially "Iron Chef fans in the States".
For consistency, all Japanese names are in Western order, macroned with Hepburn romanization. All other Asian names, on the other hand, are in Eastern order. Also, for each of the non-Japanese Asian challengers, as much as possible, the name used is the romanization used by either the English-dubbed version of the show or any English language publication or website. Otherwise, the romanization used for the Chinese names is derived from the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation and Pinyin romanization of the name (the episode involving the only Korean to compete in the show has already been dubbed in English).
All Asian challengers, except those with Wikipedia articles, will have their names in kanji in parentheses upon first mention in the list. For the non-Japanese Asian challengers, the Japanese pronunciation of the name as used in the show (or at least the name used by Chairman Kaga, if subtitled without voiceovers, in the English-dubbed versions) is also included.
In the case of Asians with mixed Chinese-Japanese heritage, such as Chen Kenichi, they follow the same criteria as the Chinese names (i.e. Eastern order and Japanese pronunciation guide beside kanji).
1993
All episodes from this year are half an hour long, as opposed to at least an hour in the following years.
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Challenger | Challenger Specialty | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 10, 1993 | Yutaka Ishinabe | Takeshi Maruyama (丸山 剛) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Salmon | Yutaka Ishinabe |
| 2 | October 17, 1993 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Yōsei Kobayakawa (小早川陽青) | French | Foie gras | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 3 | October 31, 1993 | Chen Kenichi |  Paolo Indragoli |
Italian | Globefish | Chen Kenichi |
| 4 | November 7, 1993 | Yutaka Ishinabe | Toshiyuki Kudō (工藤敏之) | French | Tofu | Yutaka Ishinabe |
| 5 | November 14, 1993 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Zhou Tomiteru (周 富輝 Shū Tomiteru) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Lobster | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 6 | November 21, 1993 | Chen Kenichi | Cheng Kazuhiko (程 一彦 Tei Kazuhiko) | Chinese (Taiwanese) | Octopus | Cheng Kazuhiko |
| 7 | November 28, 1993 | Yutaka Ishinabe | Masato Mutō (武藤正人) | Japanese | Radish | Yutaka Ishinabe |
| 8 | December 5, 1993 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Zhou Tomitoku (周 富徳 Shū Tomitoku) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Crab | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 9 | December 12, 1993 | Yutaka Ishinabe | Eizō Ōyama (大山栄蔵) | Dessert | Banana | Yutaka Ishinabe |
| 10 | December 19, 1993 | Yutaka Ishinabe |  Jacques Borie |
French | Chicken | Jacques Borie |
^1 This is the first battle featuring a foreign challenger.
^2 This is the first battle in which a challenger won against the Iron Chef.
1994
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Challenger | Challenger Specialty | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | January 9, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Zhou Tomitoku | Chinese (Cantonese) | Pork | Zhou Tomitoku |
| 12 | January 16, 1994 | Chen Kenichi |  Wang Weiping (王偉平 Wan Wīpin) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Squid | Chen Kenichi |
| 13 | January 23, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Jun Hoshino (星野 淳) | Egg | Rokusaburo Michiba | |
| 14 | January 30, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Toshio Tanabe (田辺年男) | French | Sea bream | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 15 | February 6, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Kōichi Taniguchi (谷口広一) | Japanese | Prawn | Chen Kenichi |
| 16 | February 13, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Kazuyoshi Masaki (正木数義) | Japanese | Anago eel | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 17 | February 20, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Toshirō Kandagawa | Japanese | Flounder | Toshirō Kandagawa |
| 18 | February 27, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Guy Shokr |
French | Oyster | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 19 | March 6, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Shinji Kondō (近藤紳二) | Chinese (Shanghai) | Wheat flour | Chen Kenichi |
| 20 | March 13, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Hiroyuki Kitami (北見博幸) | Italian | Tomato | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 21 | March 20, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Kyōko Kagata (加賀田京子) | French | Scallop | Kyōko Kagata |
| 22 | March 27, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Hideaki Otakura (小田倉秀昭) | Italian | Cheese | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 23 | April 8, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Kōichirō Gotō (後藤紘一郎) | Japanese | Rice | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 24 | April 15, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Munetaka Takahashi (高橋宗孝) | Japanese | Bamboo shoot | Chen Kenichi |
| 25 | April 22, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Mario Nakagawa (中川麻里生) | French | Lamb | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 26 | April 29, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Yukio Hattori | Truffle | Rokusaburo Michiba | |
| 27 | May 6, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Hiromi Yamada | Italian | Cabbage | Hiromi Yamada |
| 28 | May 13, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Hiromi Funatsu (船津博美) | Japanese (Sushi) | Bonito | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 29 | May 20, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Masatoshi Kimura (木村政敏) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Duck | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 30 | May 27, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Kiyoshi Takahashi (高橋 清) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Carrot | Chen Kenichi |
| 31 | June 3, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Kuniyuki Ishikawa (石川邦行) | Japanese | Natto | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 32 | June 10, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Katsumi Hanato (花戸克己) | Japanese | Sweetfish | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 33 | June 17, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Yūji Wakiya | Chinese (Shanghai) | Sea urchin roe | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 34 | June 24, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Masahiko Miyamoto (宮本雅彦) | French | Milk | Chen Kenichi |
| 35 | July 1, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Kōichi Tabata (田畑孝一) | Japanese | Eggplant | Chen Kenichi |
| 36 | July 8, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Takashi Mera (米良 隆) | Japanese | Tuna | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 37 | July 15, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Tadaaki Shimizu (清水忠明) | French | Homard lobster | Tadaaki Shimizu |
| 38 | July 22, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba & Chen Kenichi | Joël Bruant & Masashi Furutaka (古高雅史) |
French | Sea Bass | Joël Bruant & Masashi Furutaka |
| 39 | July 29, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Mitsuru Saitō (斎藤 満) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Beef | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 40 | August 5, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Yasuhiko Yoshida (吉田靖彦) | Japanese | Eel | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 41 | August 12, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Hirohisa Koyama (小山裕久) | Japanese | Pike eel | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 42 | August 19, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Katsuyo Kobayashi (小林カツ代) | Home cooking | Potato | Katsuyo Kobayashi |
| 43 | August 26, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Keiji Nakazawa (中澤敬二) | French | Corn | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 44 | September 2, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Hideki Ōsako (大迫秀樹) | Italian | Mushroom | Chen Kenichi |
| 45 | September 9, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba |  Artur Rütter |
French | Bell pepper | Artur Rütter |
| 46 | September 16, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Tsutomu Hiroi (廣井 勉) | French | Pacific saury | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 47 | September 23, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Sotetsu Fujii (藤井宗哲) | Japanese | Yam | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 48 | September 30, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Takashi Saitō (斉藤隆士) | Chinese (Szechuan) | Prawn | Chen Kenichi |
| 49 | October 7, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Masamitsu Takahashi (高橋正光) | Japanese | Matsutake mushroom | Masamitsu Takahashi |
| 50 | October 14, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | .svg.png){kind=small} Hui Puiwing (許沛榮 Hoi Choiwen) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Shark fin | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 51 | October 21, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Katsuyuki Sekihata (関端克之) | French | Bread | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 52 | October 28, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Kōji Kobayashi (小林幸司) | Italian | Pumpkin | Koji Kobayashi |
| 53 | November 4, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Yasuo Kawada (河田康雄) | Japanese | Anglerfish | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 54 | November 11, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Tadashi Sugita (杉田 忠) | Chinese (Beijing) | Shanghai crab | Chen Kenichi |
| 55 | November 18, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Tatsuo Umemiya (梅宮辰夫) | Horse mackerel | Rokusaburo Michiba | |
| 56 | November 25, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Seiya Kawasaki (川崎誠也) | French | Quail | Seiya Kawasaki |
| 57 | December 2, 1994 | Chen Kenichi | Toshikatsu Nakagawa (中川俊勝) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Noodles | Chen Kenichi |
| 58 | December 9, 1994 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Hiroshi Furushō (古庄 浩) | French | Turkey | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 59 | December 16, 1994 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Masayo Waki (脇 雅世) | French | Strawberry | Hiroyuki Sakai |
^3 This is the first rematch episode.
^4 Sakai's first battle as Iron Chef.
^5 This is the first episode to feature a female challenger.
^6 This is the first tag team match wherein both teams have no assistants.
^7 There were two different Keiji Nakazawas with two different specialties who battled two different Iron Chefs Japanese almost five years apart. The first one, a French cuisine chef, battled against Michiba, while the other one, a sushi chef, battled against Morimoto.
The last episode of 1994 covers the first half of the 1994 Mr. Iron Chef competition featuring winning challengers from previous episodes. The winner faced off against an Iron Chef.
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Challenger | Challenger | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | December 23, 1994 | Toshirō Kandagawa | Hiromi Yamada | Spiny lobster | Toshirō Kandagawa |
| Tadaaki Shimizu | Cheng Kazuhiko | Beef | Tadaaki Shimizu |
1995
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Challenger | Challenger Specialty | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | January 2, 1995 | Toshirō Kandagawa | Tadaaki Shimizu | 1994 Mr. Iron Chef Prelimenaries (Finals) | Abalone | Toshirō Kandagawa |
| Rokusaburo Michiba | Toshirō Kandagawa | 1994 Mr. Iron Chef Finals | Yellowtail | Rokusaburo Michiba | ||
| 62 | January 6, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Toshiyuki Nakagawa (中川敏行) | Japanese | Mochi | Chen Kenichi |
| 63 | January 13, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kōji Yamada (山田康司) | French | Turnip | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 64 | January 20, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Hisao Oidate (追立久夫) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Chinese cabbage | Chen Kenichi |
| 65 | January 27, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Fuyuko Kondō (近藤冬子) | Pastries | Chocolate and apple | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 66 | February 3, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Yoshie Urabe (卜部吉恵) | Japanese | Soybean | Chen Kenichi |
| 67 | February 10, 1995 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Masao Suzuki (鈴木眞雄) | Matsuba crab | Rokusaburo Michiba | |
| 68 | February 17, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Kunihiko Hashimoto (橋本邦彦) | Japanese | Taro | Chen Kenichi |
| 69 | February 24, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Toshihiro Komine (小峰敏宏) | French | Asparagus | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 70 | March 3, 1995 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Wang Zhijian (王志堅 Wan Jichen) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Egg | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 71 | March 10, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Tetsutoshi Shimazu (島津哲俊) | Italian | Squid | Chen Kenichi |
| 72 | March 17, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Shigeo Yuasa (湯浅薫男) | French | Cod | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 73 | March 31, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Leung Waikei (梁偉基 Ron Waikei) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Pork | Chen Kenichi |
| Rokusaburo Michiba | Chow Chung (周中 Shū Chū) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Spiny lobster | Rokusaburo Michiba | ||
| 74 | April 7, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Chiyo Chō (張 千代) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Tofu | Chen Kenichi |
| 75 | April 14, 1995 | Yutaka Ishinabe | Tomoyuki Sawaguchi (澤口知之) | Italian | Flounder | Yutaka Ishinabe |
| 76 | April 21, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kunio Santō (山東邦男) | Japanese | Clam | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 77 | April 28, 1995 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Keisuke Tamano (玉野圭介) | Japanese | Tilefish | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 78 | May 5, 1995 | Chen Kenichi |  Lee Myong Suk (李明淑 Ri Meishō) |
Korean | Liver | Chen Kenichi |
| 79 | May 12, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Isao Yanagidate (柳舘 功) | French | Caviar | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 80 | May 19, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Elio Orsara |
Italian | Swordfish | Chen Kenichi |
| 81 | May 26, 1995 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Etsuo Jō (城 悦男) | French | Broccoli | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 82 | June 2, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Katsuo Ōmiya (大宮勝雄) | Diner cook | Onion | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 83 | June 9, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kazutaka Okabe (岡部和隆) | French | Lamb | Kazutaka Okabe |
| 84 | June 16, 1995 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Zeng Mingxing (曽明星 Sō Meisei) |
Chinese (Shanghai) | Blue crab | Zeng Mingxing |
| 85 | June 23, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Yukihiro Noda (野田幸宏) | Italian | Sardine | Chen Kenichi |
| 86 | June 30, 1995 | Yutaka Ishinabe | Takayoshi Kamatani (釜谷孝義) | French | Avocado | Yutaka Ishinabe |
| 87 | July 7, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Takayoshi Kawai (河合隆良) | French | Sole | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 88 | July 14, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Haruyoshi Omino (小美野晴愛) | Japanese | Sweetfish | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 89 | July 21, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Lai Kamlun (黎錦倫 Rai Kamuron) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Swallow's nest | Chen Kenichi |
| 90 | July 28, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Shin'ichi Nagamatsu (永松信一) | Italian | Eggplant | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 91 | August 4, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Hisama Hirano (平野寿将) | Japanese | Sea urchin | Chen Kenichi |
| 92 | August 11, 1995 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Kenji Kaji (梶 憲司) | Japanese | Umeboshi | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 93 | August 18, 1995 | Rokusaburo Michiba & Hiroyuki Sakai | Salvatore & Raffaele Cuomo |
Italian | Tomato | Rokusaburo Michiba & Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 94 | August 25, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Yoshiko Takemasa (武政佳子) | Japanese | Short-necked Clam | Chen Kenichi |
| 95 | September 1, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Joël Bruant |
French | Salmon | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 96 | September 8, 1995 | Rokusaburo Michiba |  Minoru Noda (野田 稔) |
Japanese | Matsutake mushroom | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| 97 | September 15, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Philippe Aubron |
French | Crayfish | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 98 | September 22, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Tsuguo Fujiwara (藤原次雄) | Chinese (Shanghai) | Sea cucumber | Chen Kenichi |
| 99 | October 6, 1995 | Pierre Gagnaire |
Gianfranco Vissani |
French (Gagnaire), Italian (Vissani) | Tuna | Gianfranco Vissani |
| Rokusaburo Michiba | Hsu Cheng (許成 Hoi Sei) |
Chinese (Cantonese; Hsu) | Squid | Rokusaburo Michiba | ||
| Rokusaburo Michiba | Gianfranco Vissani | Italian | Duck (Kamo) | Rokusaburo Michiba | ||
| 100 | October 13, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Sadaharu Nakajima (中嶋貞治) | Japanese | Rice | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 101 | October 20, 1995 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Lin Kunbi (林 訓美 Rin Kunbi) | Chinese (Fujian) | Potato | Draw |
| 102 | October 27, 1995 | Sweet potato | Rokusaburo Michiba | |||
| 103 | November 3, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Masahiko Hagiwara (萩原雅彦) | Italian | Scampi | Chen Kenichi |
| 104 | November 10, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Kiyotaka Ikegawa (池川清隆) | Horsehair crab | Chen Kenichi | |
| 105 | November 17, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Toshirō Kandagawa | Japanese | Lotus root | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 106 | November 24, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Bruno Menard |
French | Escargot | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 107 | December 1, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Shōzō Miyamoto (宮本荘三) | Chinese (Shanghai) | Carp | Chen Kenichi |
| 108 | December 8, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Tadamichi Ōta (大田忠道) | Japanese | Octopus | Tadamichi Ōta |
| 109 | December 15, 1995 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Phillip Groult |
French | Oyster | Hiroyuki Sakai |
^8 This episode covers the second half of the 1994 Mr. Iron Chef competition.
^9 As the winner of the preliminary finals, Kandagawa challenged Michiba in the final round of 1994 Mr. Iron Chef.
^10 This the Valentine's Day battle. Also the first battle to feature two theme ingredients.
^11 This is the Hong Kong Special, wherein both battles were held there. It is actually a two-hour special, although it has been erroneously labelled as a two-episode special.
^12 This is Ishinabe's final ever battle as an Iron Chef.
^13 Second ever tag-team battle.
^14 This is Bruant's second appearance in Kitchen Stadium, challenging the Iron Chef he did not choose in the tag-team battle the year before.
^15 This is episode covers the 1995 Iron Chef World Cup, which pitted the masters of French, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese cuisines against each other in elimination matches. The winners of the first two battles squared off against each other in the final match. Michiba represented Japanese cuisine, hence the retention of his Iron Chef color in this chart. The part of the match itself is also covered in the English-only exclusive "Legend of Michiba" episode.
^16 & ^17 Lin and Michiba's battle ended in a draw, hence the overtime match the next week with a new theme ingredient.
^18 Kandagawa was the 100th even challenger, when separate appearances by a challenger count as two challengers.
^19 The first episode where they started displaying the judging panel's scores.
The last episode of 1995 covered the first half of 1995 Mr. Iron Chef competition. The winner would battle Michiba, who was about to retire as a regular Iron Chef.
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Iron Chef | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | December 22, 1995 | Chen Kenichi | Hiroyuki Sakai | Chicken | Chen Kenichi |
1996
The first episode of 1996 covered the second half of 1995 Mr. Iron Chef competition. This would be Michiba's last battle as a regular Iron Chef.
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Iron Chef | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111 | January 3, 1996 | Rokusaburo Michiba | Chen Kenichi | Beef | Rokusaburo Michiba |
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Challenger | Challenger Specialty | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | January 12, 1996 | Chen Kenichi |  Gao Jinyi (高進益 Kō Shin'eki) |
Chinese (Taiwanese) | Dried abalone | Chen Kenichi |
| 113 | January 19, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Hidetoshi Ushimaru (牛丸英敏) | French | Curry powder | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 114 | January 26, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Hiroshi Yamanobe (山野辺 宏) | French | Scorpionfish | Hiroshi Yamanobe |
| 115 | February 2, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Yōji Watanabe (渡辺洋二) | Japanese | Snapping turtle | Chen Kenichi |
| 116 | February 9, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Tadashi Yanagi (柳 正司) | French | Chocolate and pear | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 117 | February 16, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Jin'ichi Tateyama (舘山仁一) | French | Leek | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 118 | February 23, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Takaya Nakazawa (中沢隆弥) | Chinese (Szechuan) | Shiitake mushroom | Takaya Nakazawa |
| 119 | March 1, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Kiyoshi Suzuki (鈴木喜代司) | French | Foie gras | Komei Nakamura |
| 120 | March 8, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Tatsujirō Yoshida (吉田辰次郎) | Japanese | Cod | Chen Kenichi |
| 121 | March 15, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Senji Osada (長田銑司) | Japanese | Scallop | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 122 | March 22, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Lin Kunbi | Chinese (Fujian) | Bell pepper | Komei Nakamura |
| 123 | March 29, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Katsuaki Mori (森 克明) | Italian | Spinach | Chen Kenichi |
| 124 | April 12, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Bernard Leprince |
French | Salmon | Bernard Leprince |
| Hiroyuki Sakai | Pierre Gagnaire | French | Lobster | Pierre Gagnaire | ||
| 125 | April 19, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Toyoaki Suganuma (菅沼豊明) | French | Egg | Toyoaki Suganuma |
| 126 | April 26, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Ho Yipman (何業文 Ho Gyōmon) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Lettuce | Chen Kenichi |
| 127 | May 3, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Katsuko Nanao (七尾かつ子) | Home cooking | Cod roe | Komei Nakamura |
| 128 | May 10, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Shunji Morikawa (森川俊二) | Thai | Pineapple | Chen Kenichi |
| 129 | May 17, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Tamotsu Takao (高尾 保) | French | Abalone | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 130 | May 24, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Kenji Motai (もたい健治) | Japanese | Udon | Kenji Motai |
| 131 | May 31, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Ichio Gotō (後藤市雄) | Italian | Cuttlefish | Chen Kenichi |
| 132 | June 7, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Yoshinobu Sonobe (曽野部好信) | Japanese | Salmon roe | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 133 | June 14, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Sun Guanyi (孫関義 Son Kangi) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Pomfret | Komei Nakamura |
| 134 | June 21, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Philippe Baton |
French | Bacon | Philippe Baton |
| 135 | June 28, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Hideo Tozawa (戸沢英夫) | Spanish | Clam | Komei Nakamura |
| 136 | July 5, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Takayuki Nomura (野村孝之) | Japanese | Sweetfish | Chen Kenichi |
| 137 | July 12, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Hideki Yamamoto (山本秀樹) | Japanese | Pike conger | Komei Nakamura |
| 138 | July 19, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Yoshimasa Uki (浮 義正) | Japanese | Fatty tuna (Toro) | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 139 | July 26, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Masaru Toriumi (鳥海 勝) | French | Iwa oyster | Masaru Toriumi |
| 140 | August 2, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Takeshi Yamamoto (山本 猛) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Black pork | Chen Kenichi |
| 141 | August 9, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Thierry Houngues |
French | Caviar | Komei Nakamura |
| 142 | August 16, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Toshizō Tsugawa (津川利蔵) | Sushi | Conger eel | Chen Kenichi |
| 143 | August 23, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kenji Sugawara (菅原健二) | California | Corn | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 144 | August 30, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Shinsuke Shimada (島田紳助) | Fleshy prawn | Chen Kenichi | |
| 145 | September 6, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Takamasa Uetake (植竹隆政) | Italian | Peach | Takamasa Uetake |
| 146 | September 13, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Chōmei Sō (曽 兆明) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Soft-shell crab | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 147 | September 20, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Tokuo Endō (遠藤徳雄) | Japanese | Saury | Komei Nakamura |
| 148 | October 4, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Takeo Kashiwabara (柏原剛雄) | Okinawan | Winter melon | Chen Kenichi |
| 149 | October 11, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Sun Liping (孫利平 Son Rihei) |
Chinese (Beijing) | Shark fin | Chen Kenichi |
| 150 | October 18, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Shin Fujita (藤田 新) | Japanese | Buckwheat | Komei Nakamura |
| 151 | October 25, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Ryūichi Ogusu (小楠隆一) | French | Chestnut | Komei Nakamura |
| 152 | November 1, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Daniela Ozik |
Italian | Mushroom | Chen Kenichi |
| 153 | November 8, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Hiroshi Yamaoka (山岡 洋) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Chinese cabbage | Hiroshi Yamaoka |
| 154 | November 15, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Wayne Nish |
New American | Apple | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 155 | November 22, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Kenjirō Kuroki (黒木献二郎) | Japanese | Angler | Komei Nakamura |
| 156 | November 29, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Kiyoshi Miyashiro (宮代 潔) | French | Beef tongue | Komei Nakamura |
| 157 | December 6, 1996 | Chen Kenichi | Sachio Ishizaki (石崎幸雄) | Italian | Garlic | Chen Kenichi |
| 158 | December 13, 1996 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Yoshio Suzuki (鈴木芳男) | French | Orange | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 159 | December 20, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Bernard Leprince | French | Duck (Kamo) | Komei Nakamura |
^20 This episode debuts Nakamura as Michiba's hand picked successor.
^21 This episode, known as the France Special, took place in Château de Brissac in Anjou, France. It also took place to promote Gagnaire's restaurant, which was on the verge of closing. This episode was aired as two separate episodes in the dubbed version (although these two merged as a single two-hour episode in the Food Network).
^22 This three-hour long episode, entitiled the Beijing Special, pitted the best of four styles of Chinese cooking (Canton, Beijing, Shanghai, and Szechuan) against each other in the Chinese capital. Other chefs include Su Dexing (蘇徳興 So Tokushin) (Shanghai) and Zhuang Weijia (庄偉佳 Shō Ika) (Cantonese). They, Chen, and Sun battled each other with chicken as the theme ingredient; the two with the most points met in the second battle indicated above.
^23 This episode served as a rematch to their battle back in France.
The last episode of 1996 is the New Year's Eve episode wherein 100 judges were said to have sampled the New Year food prepared by the two Iron Chefs, which took 100 minutes and 10 assistants to make.
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Iron Chef | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160 | December 31, 1996 | Komei Nakamura | Rokusaburo Michiba | Pork, sweet potato, & octopus | Komei Nakamura |
1997
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Challenger | Challenger Specialty | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 161 | January 10, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kan Kasahara (笠原 寛) | Japanese | Mochi | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 162 | January 17, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Hiroshi Michifude (道筆 博) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Dried scallop | Hiroshi Michifude |
| 163 | January 24, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai |  Rory Kennedy |
Gibier | European rabbit | Draw |
| 164 | January 31, 1997 | European pigeon | Hiroyuki Sakai | |||
| 165 | February 7, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Hiroyoshi Morie (森枝弘好) | Japanese | Spider crab | Komei Nakamura |
| 166 | February 14, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Huang Baokang (黄宝康 Kō Hōko) |
Chinese (Fujian) | Rice | Chen Kenichi |
| 167 | February 21, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Tetsuya Shimada (島田哲也) | French | Truffle | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 168 | February 24, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Tateo Yamazaki (山崎建夫) | Japanese | Natto | Komei Nakamura |
| 169 | March 7, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Etsuo Jō | French | Wine | Etsuo Jō |
| 170 | March 14, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Yūji Wakiya | Chinese (Cantonese) | Papaya | Yūji Wakiya |
| 171 | March 21, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Takashi Mera | Japanese | Wakame seaweed | Komei Nakamura |
| 172 | March 28, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Hiroyuki Kitami | Italian | Honey | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 173 | April 11, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Yang Guangjian (揚光鑑 Yō Kōkan) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Hanami | Komei Nakamura |
| 174 | April 18, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Shinzō Okunuma (奥村眞三) | French | Bamboo shoot | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 175 | April 25, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Chihiro Ōtsuki (おおつきちひろ) | Spanish | Tomato | Chen Kenichi |
| 176 | May 2, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kiyoyasu Sasaki (佐々木清恭) | French | Sea Bass | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 177 | May 9, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Norio Azumaya (東屋則夫) | Japanese | Pork | Chen Kenichi |
| 178 | May 16, 1997 | Komei Nakamura |  Gillian Hirst |
Australian | Ostrich | Komei Nakamura |
| 179 | May 23, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Masao Takagi (高木政雄) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Thousand-year old egg | Chen Kenichi |
| 180 | May 30, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Germano Orsara |
Italian | Ham | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 181 | June 6, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Hisato Sakane (坂根久人) | Japanese | Conger eel | Hisato Sakane |
| 182 | June 13, 1997 | Masahiko Kobe | Masahiko Hagiwara | Italian | Short pasta | Masahiko Hagiwara |
| 183 | June 20, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kunio Satō (佐藤訓生) | Japanese | Amberjack | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 184 | June 27, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Chow Kuen Chung (周権忠 Shū Kenchū)[1] |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Blacktip grouper | Chow Kuen Chung |
| 185 | July 4, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Masami Kashima (鹿島正己) | Vietnamese | Kuruma prawn | Komei Nakamura |
| 186 | July 11, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Toshiyuki Ishikawa (石川敏行) | Chinese (Shanghai) | Sea urchin roe | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 187 | July 18, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Yoshikazu Matsuno (松野義一) | Chinese/Sushi | Mantis shrimp | Chen Kenichi |
| 188 | July 25, 1997 | Masahiko Kobe | Stephano Tabacchi |
Italian | Cabbage | Masahiko Kobe |
| 189 | August 1, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Seiji Toyoshima (豊嶋誠司) | French | Milk | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 190 | August 8, 1997 | Chen Kenichi & Komei Nakamura | Hiroyuki Sakai & Masahiko Kobe | Iron Chef | Watermelon | Hiroyuki Sakai & Masahiko Kobe |
| 191 | August 15, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Sōsei Kawaguchi (川口宗清) | Vegetarian (Buddhist) | Eggplant | Chen Kenichi |
| 192 | August 22, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Pietro Androsoni |
Italian | Melon | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 193 | August 29, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Yoshinori Kojima (小島孔典) | French | Potato | No Contest |
| 194 | September 5, 1997 | Marbled sole | Komei Nakamura | |||
| 195 | September 12, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Toshiyuki Nakajima (中嶋壽幸) | French | Beef cheek | Toshiyuki Nakajima |
| 196 | September 26, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Miyuki Igarashi (五十嵐美幸) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Cucumber | Chen Kenichi |
| 197 | October 3, 1997 | Masahiko Kobe | Fujio Imai (今井富士男) | Japanese | Matsutake mushroom | Masahiko Kobe |
| 198 | October 10, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Liu Xikun (劉錫坤 Ryū Sekikon) |
Chinese (Cantonese; Liu) | Beef | Komei Nakamura |
| Alain Passard |
Patrick Clark |
French (Passard); New American (Clark) | Lobster | Alain Passard | ||
| Komei Nakamura | Alain Passard | French | Foie gras | Draw | ||
| 199 | October 17, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Matsuo Nagasaka (長坂松夫) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Spare rib | Chen Kenichi |
| 200 | October 24, 1997 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Masashi Gotō (後藤雅司) | French | Freshwater prawn | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 201 | October 31, 1997 | Masahiko Kobe | Yūji Seki (関 雄二) | Chinese (Beijing) | Chestnut | Masahiko Kobe |
| 202 | November 14, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Keiji Azuma (東 敬司) | French | Lamb | Keiji Azuma |
| 203 | November 21, 1997 | Chen Kenichi | Toru Matsushima (松島 徹) | Chinese (Shanghai) | Shanghai crab | Chen Kenichi |
| 204 | November 28, 1997 | Masahiko Kobe | Kazunari Takeda (高橋和名利) | Japanese | Cod soft roe | Draw |
| 205 | December 5, 1997 | Pink prawn | Kazunari Takeda | |||
| 206 | December 12, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Maurice Guillouët |
French | Scallop | Maurice Guillouët |
| 207 | December 19, 1997 | Masahiko Kobe | Yasumasa Takagi (高木康政) | French | Strawberry | Masahiko Kobe |
| 208 | December 26, 1997 | Komei Nakamura | Toshirō Kandagawa | Japanese | Longtooth grouper | Toshirō Kandagawa |
^24 Wild animals hunted for game.
^25 This is the second overtime episode.
^26 There was no theme ingredient, just a theme the chefs' dishes must focus on.
^27 This is Kobe's debut battle as an Iron Chef. Ironically, his debut and he LOSES on his very first battle.
^28 For the summer battle, Chairman Kaga grouped the four Iron Chefs by the continental birthplace of their cuisines. Kobe and Sakai composed "Team Europe" while Chen and Nakamura were "Team Asia."
^29 This is episode covers the 1997 Iron Chef World Cup. Much like the 1995 Iron Chef World Cup, it pitted the masters of French, Japanese, Chinese, and New American (instead of Italian) cuisines against each other in elimination matches and the winners of the first two battles squared off against each other in the final match. Nakamura represented Japanese cuisine, hence the retention of his Iron Chef color in this chart.
^30 This is the first drawn battle that did not immediately result in an overtime match. In fact, a rematch between Passard and Nakamura never took place.
1998
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Challenger | Challenger Specialty | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 209 | January 9, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Akihiko Inoue (井上明彦) | Japanese | Salted salmon | Chen Kenichi |
| 210 | January 16, 1998 | Masahiko Kobe | Yasuhiro Fukatsu (深津泰弘) | French | Venison | Yasuhiro Fukatsu |
| 211 | January 23, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Yoshimasa Matsumoto (松本吉正) | Japanese | Snow crab | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 212 | January 30, 1998 | Chen Kenichi |  Tong Chiufai (唐 朝輝 Tō Chōki) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Black tiger prawn | Chen Kenichi |
| 213 | February 6, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Fumiaki Satō (佐藤文昭) | Japanese | Daikon radish | Fumiaki Satō |
| 214 | February 13, 1998 | Komei Nakamura | Yukio Hattori | Tuna | Komei Nakamura | |
| February 20, 1998 | ||||||
| 215 | February 27, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Yukio Hirayama (平山幸男) | Japanese | Red snapper | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 216 | March 6, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Motohito Kondō (近藤元人) | Japanese | Girl's Festival | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 217 | March 13, 1998 | Masahiko Kobe | Mario Frittoli |
Italian | Broccoli | Masahiko Kobe |
| 218 | April 4, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Masuyoshi Kimura (木村昌義) | Chinese (Szechuan) | Rice | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 219 | April 10, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Tomoji Ichikawa (市川知志) | French | Guinea fowl | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 220 | April 17, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Mitsurō Harada (原田充朗) | Japanese | Spanish mackerel | Mitsurō Harada |
| 221 | April 24, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Takashi Shimamura (島村 隆) | Japanese | Pen shell | Chen Kenichi |
| 222 | May 1, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Tetsuo Hagiwara (萩原哲雄) | Japanese | Bamboo shoot | Tetsuo Hagiwara |
| 223 | May 8, 1998 | Masahiko Kobe | Yōsei Watanabe (渡辺庸生) | Mexican | Mango | Masahiko Kobe |
| 224 | May 15, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Yasuhiko Habuchi (羽渕康彦) | French | Asparagus | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 225 | May 22, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Liang Shuqing (粱樹卿 Ryō Jukei) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Pork belly | Draw |
| 226 | May 29, 1998 | Konnyaku | Liang Shuqing | |||
| 227 | June 5, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kumiko Kobayashi (小林久美子) | French | Mishima beef | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 228 | June 12, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Ken'ichi Miyanaga (宮永賢一) | Japanese | Sweetfish | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 229 | June 19, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Kentarō (ケンタロウ) | New potato | Chen Kenichi | |
| 230 | June 26, 1998 | Masahiko Kobe | Yasuhiro Sasajima (笹島保弘) | Italian | Kamo eggplant | Masahiko Kobe |
| 231 | July 3, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Takaji Yoshida (吉田隆二) | Japanese | Tofu | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 232 | July 10, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Shūzō Shimokawa (下川秀蔵) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Jinhua pork | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 233 | July 17, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Jun'ichi Itō (伊東淳一) | French-Italian-Japanese fusion | Yogurt | Chen Kenichi |
| 234 | July 24, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Takeshi Kajimoto (梶本剛史) | Japanese | Abalone | Takeshi Kajimoto |
| 235 | July 31, 1998 | Masahiko Kobe | Miyoko Sakai (酒井美代子) | Thai | Japanese blue crab | Masahiko Kobe |
| 236 | August 7, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Hirokazu Handa (半田博一) | Japanese | Giant eel | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 237 | August 14, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Masanobu Watabe (渡部政信) | French | Peach | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 238 | August 21, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Kaoru Miyazawa (宮澤 薫) | Chinese (Chiuchow) | Carp | Chen Kenichi |
| 239 | August 28, 1998 | "All French" (Hiroyuki Sakai, Yutaka Ishinabe, & Etsuo Jō) |
"All China" (Chen Kenichi, Shōzō Miyamoto, & Yūji Wakiya) |
2,000th Plate | Spare rib, snapping turtle, and banana | "All French" |
| September 4, 1998 | ||||||
| 240 | September 11, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kyōnori Miura (三浦経則) | Italian | Squid | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 241 | September 18, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Hideki Maruyama (丸山日出樹) | Italian | Sardine | Chen Kenichi |
| 242 | September 25, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Shuichi Fujii (藤井修一) | Japanese | Unisex salmon | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 243 | October 2, 1998 | Masahiko Kobe | Shin'ya Tasaki (田崎真也) | Wine | Fatty tuna | Shin'ya Tasaki |
| 244 | October 9, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Ron Siegel |
French | Lobster | Ron Siegel |
| 245 | October 16, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Kyōko Kagata | French | Veal | Chen Kenichi |
| 246 | October 23, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Tatsutoshi Kumamoto (隈本辰利) | Japanese | Natto | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 247 | October 30, 1998 | Masahiko Kobe | Kensuke Sakai (坂井謙介) | Italian | Pumpkin | Masahiko Kobe |
| 248 | November 6, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kazumi Nagayama (永山和美) | Japanese | Pacific saury | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 249 | November 13, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Hisao Yaginuma (八木沼久男) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Shanghai cabbage | Chen Kenichi |
| 250 | November 20, 1998 | Masahiko Kobe | Takatsugu Sasaoka (笹岡隆次) | Japanese | Maitake mushroom | Takatsugu Sasaoka |
| 251 | November 27, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Marco Molinari |
Italian | Porcini | Marco Molinari |
| 252 | December 4, 1998 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Mitsuo Hazama (間 光男) | French | Duck | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 253 | December 11, 1998 | Masahiko Kobe | Hiromichi Yoneda (米田裕道) | Italian | Octopus | Masahiko Kobe |
| 254 | December 18, 1998 | Chen Kenichi | Mitsuo Suganuma (菅沼美都雄) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Shark fin | Chen Kenichi |
| 255 | December 25, 1998 | Masaharu Morimoto | Jirō Ogue (小久江次郎) | French | Turkey | Masaharu Morimoto |
^31 This episode featuring Nakamura's retirement battle, counted as one, was aired in two parts. This was also Yukio Hattori's second time he took the role as a challenger; former Iron Chef Japanese Rokusaburo Michiba took his place as commentator.
^32 This is Masaharu Morimoto's debut as Iron Chef.
^33 This episode featuring is the second one without a theme ingredient but a theme on which the dishes should be based.
^34 The 2,000th Dish Special, wherein two teams composed of Iron Chefs and past challengers, was aired in two parts. Chairman Kaga also used this special as an opportunity to list his five best and three worst dishes tasted in the show. The score was tied at 77 points both. But Kaga decided the All-French team won.
1999
| Overall Episode # |
Original airdate | Iron Chef | Challenger | Challenger Specialty | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 256 | January 8, 1999 | Chen Kenichi | Xie Huaxian (謝華顕 Sha Kaken) |
Chinese (Cantonese) | Spiny lobster | Xie Huaxian |
| 257 | January 15, 1999 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kōei Kamimura (上村孝栄) | Japanese | Cod | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 258 | January 22, 1999 | Masahiko Kobe | Constantino Gemmoli |
Italian | Bell pepper | Masahiko Kobe |
| 259 | January 29, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Hiroyuki Hakogi (函城弘行) | Japanese | Yellowtail | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 260 | February 5, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Tetsuji Iio (飯尾哲司) | French | King crab | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 261 | February 12, 1999 | Masahiko Kobe | Hironobu Tsujiguchi (辻口博啓) | Dessert | Banana | Hironobu Tsujiguchi |
| 262 | February 19, 1999 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Toshiya Senba (仙場才也) | Japanese | Asura oyster | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 263 | February 26, 1999 | Chen Kenichi | Ryōzō Asō (浅生良三) | French | Sturgeon | Chen Kenichi |
| 264 | March 5, 1999 | Michiba and Morimoto tour New York City. No battles were held in this part. | ||||
| March 12, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Komei Nakamura | Iron Chef | Egg | Komei Nakamura | |
| 265 | March 19, 1999 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Kōji Hosogai (細貝孝司) | French | Oxtail | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 266 | March 26, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Seiya Masahara (正原聖也) | Japanese | Anglerfish | Seiya Masahara |
| 267 | April 2, 1999 | Chen Kenichi | Cui Yufen (崔玉芬 Gai Gyokufun) |
Chinese (Beijing) | Chinese cabbage | Cui Yufen |
| 268 | April 9, 1999 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Tōru Komori (小森 亨) | Japanese | Udon | Tōru Komori |
| 269 | April 16, 1999 | Masahiko Kobe | Franco Canzoniere |
Italian | Tomato | Masahiko Kobe |
| 270 | April 23, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Yūsuke Yamashita (山下裕輔) | Japanese | Cod roe | Draw |
| 271 | April 30, 1999 | Scallion | Masaharu Morimoto | |||
| 272 | May 7, 1999 | Chen Kenichi | Takeshi Ōkubo (大久保武志) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Bean sprout | Takeshi Ōkubo |
| 273 | May 14, 1999 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Michel Husser |
French | Lamb | Michel Husser |
| 274 | May 21, 1999 | Chen Kenichi | Spano Stelvio |
Italian | Suckling pig | Chen Kenichi |
| 275 | May 28, 1999 | Morimoto and Michiba tour Indonesia. No battles were held in this episode (in both parts). | ||||
| June 4, 1999 | ||||||
| 276 | June 11, 1999 | Masahiko Kobe | Makoto Osada (長田 誠) | Chinese (Cantonese) | Giant lobster | Masahiko Kobe |
| 277 | June 18, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Keiji Nakazawa (中澤圭二) | Japanese | Sushi | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 278 | June 25, 1999 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Isao Makio (牧尾 勲) | French | Black pork | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 279 | July 2, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto |  Michael Noble |
French | Potato | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 280 | July 9, 1999 | Chen Kenichi | Yūji Tateno (舘野雄二) | Japanese | Sea urchin roe | Chen Kenichi |
| 281 | July 16, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Yoshimi Tanigawa (谷河吉己) | Japanese | Pike eel | Yoshimi Tanigawa |
| 282 | July 23, 1999 | Masahiko Kobe | Shōji Yamaoka (山岡昌治) | French | Jumbo mushroom | Masahiko Kobe |
| 283 | July 30, 1999 | Chen Kenichi | Dominique Corby |
French | Foie gras | Draw |
| 284 | August 6, 1999 | Asparagus | Draw | |||
| 285 | August 13, 1999 | Masahiko Kobe | Hiroki Sakai (坂井博基) | Italian | Conger eel | Masahiko Kobe |
| 286 | August 20, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Akira Watanabe (渡辺 明) | Italian | Cuttlefish | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 287 | August 27, 1999 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Yoshihide Koga (古賀義英) | French | Stingray | Hiroyuki Sakai |
| 288 | September 3, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Ryōzō Shigematsu (重松良三) | Japanese | Sea bass | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 289 | September 10, 1999 | Chen Kenichi | Masahiko Kobe | King of Iron Chefs | Tokyo-X pork | Chen Kenichi |
| 290 | September 17, 1999 | Masaharu Morimoto | Hiroyuki Sakai | Bell pepper | Hiroyuki Sakai | |
| 291 | September 24, 1999 | Chen Kenichi | Hiroyuki Sakai | Homard lobster | Hiroyuki Sakai | |
| Hiroyuki Sakai | Alain Passard | French | Longgang chicken | Hiroyuki Sakai | ||
^35 This episode, aired in two parts, celebrated Morimoto's first anniversary as an Iron Chef. The two elder Iron Chefs Japanese were present to help Morimoto put his focus back.
^36 This is the first episode in which all four Iron Chefs appear at the same time, rather than have Kobe making a separate entrance. Ironically, this was also the first episode wherein Chairman Kaga boycotted the battle due to the Iron Chefs' recent losses. Yukio Hattori did double-duty as emcee and usual color commentator for this episode.
^37 There were two different Keiji Nakazawas with two different specialties who battled two different Iron Chefs Japanese almost five years apart. The first one, a French cuisine chef, battled against Michiba, while the other one, a sushi chef, battled against Morimoto.
^38 Theme ingredients included tuna, kohada (Japanese gizzard shad), anago, eggs, and kanpyō. Also, the one-hour time limit for the battle did not include the preparation of the rice to be used for the sushi.
^39 Both Chen and Corby were declared joint winners in the overtime battle.
^40 The final three episodes cover the King of Iron Chefs tournament which saw the Iron Chefs battle against each other. The last Iron Chef standing would then battle the last ever challenger in the show's regular run, Alain Passard.
2000-2002: Specials
| Special | Original airdate | Iron Chef | Challenger | Challenger Specialty | Theme Ingredient | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millennium Cup | January 5, 2000 | Chen Kenichi | Zhao Renliang (趙仁良 Chō Jinryō) |
Chinese (Beijing) | Abalone | Chen Kenichi |
| Rokusaburo Michiba | Dominique Bouchet |
French | Kobe beef | Rokusaburo Michiba | ||
| New York Special | March 28, 2000 | Masaharu Morimoto | Bobby Flay |
Southwestern | Rock crab | Masaharu Morimoto |
| 21st Century Battles | January 2, 2001 | Hiroyuki Sakai | Toshirō Kandagawa | Japanese | Red snapper | Toshirō Kandagawa |
| Masaharu Morimoto | Bobby Flay | Southwestern | Spiny lobster | Bobby Flay | ||
| Japan Cup | January 2, 2002 | Chen Kenichi | Yūichirō Ebisu (胡 雄一郎) | Italian | King crab | Chen Kenichi |
| Kimio Nonaga (野永喜三夫) | Takeshi Tanabe (田辺 猛) | Japanese (Nonaga); French (Tanabe) | Pacific bluefin tuna | Kimio Nonaga | ||
| Chen Kenichi | Kimio Nonaga | Japanese | Ingii chicken | Kimio Nonaga |
Specials notes
The Millennium Cup, occurring three months after the last regular battle, introduced two "new" Iron Chefs in the persons of Yūji Wakiya and Seigo Mitani as successors to Iron Chefs Sakai and Chen. Both actually never battled since their introduction. And while there were two battles, all four chefs involved were competing to have one of their dishes be declared as the "Millennium Dish." Although Bouchet lost his battle with Michiba, his beef main course was declared the "Millennium Dish."
The first part of the New York Special saw Iron Chefs Morimoto, Sakai, Kobe and Honorary Iron Chef Michiba visit the city. During the Iron Chefs' visit to the Zagat weekend home, Tim and Nina Zagat had arranged a battle between Morimoto and Flay. Also included in the first part were Kobe and Sakai's visit to an Asian cooking class in the Culinary Institute of America and Morimoto and Michiba's guesting in an episode of Doorknock Dinners. Gordon Elliot, the host of that show, would also serve as the English-speaking host for Flay and Morimoto's battle in the second half of the special alongside Kaga.
The 21st Century Battles were held, especially held to usher in the beginning of the 21st century, brought back two previous challengers. The first was prolific guest Toshirō Kandagawa, who shaved himself bald to atone for his antagonistic role in the past. The second, Bobby Flay, was brought back to fulfill a clamor for a rematch against Morimoto as according to several reports, Flay did not take his loss very well, even complaining about the treatment against him in that battle (the show even cited in a Time magazine article to bring home the point[2]).
In the events that led to the Japan Cup, Chairman Kaga (the character) had died due to puffer fish liver poisoning. A memorial service was held before the new chairman, Kaga's equally flamboyant nephew, played by actor Masahiro Motoki, was introduced. The Japan Cup, launched to keep the tradition of Kitchen Stadium alive, was held at the Tokyo Dome. Chen was chosen to represent Chinese cuisine while the selection of representatives for French, Italian, and Japanese cuisines was opened to "unknown nameless chefs." There were only two battles that were covered in full: Chen's semifinal battle and finals between Chen and Nonaga; only highlights of Nonaga's semifinal battle were shown due to time constraints. Takeshi Kaga was still alive at the time of the Japan Cup (and still is as of 2012, according to IMDB[3]); his character was killed off due to commitments he was having at the time, thus preventing him from reprising his role. It should be noted, however, that the story element of the "death" of Kaga's character was ignored in Iron Chef America: Battle of the Masters, as according to that show's storyline, it was Chairman Kaga himself who sent Sakai and Morimoto to America to grace the opening a new Gourmet Academy there.
2012 and beyond: Revival series
On October 26, 2012, Fuji TV revived the original Iron Chef franchise, this time simply using the English name Iron Chef (アイアンシェフ). Actor Hiroshi Tamaki assumed the role as the new Chairman in this revival. For the line-up of Iron Chefs, Yuji Wakiya became the official Iron Chef Chinese, while Yōsuke Suga was selected as the new Iron Chef French instead of Seigo Mitani; Jun Kurogi was chosen as the new Iron Chef Japanese. Yukio Hattori would reprise his role as commentor, guided by a set of culinary experts.[4]
Main references
- List of episodes held at The Iron Chef Exchange
- Japanese Iron Chef fan site
- Transcription/Translation of the Iron Chef Japan Cup 2002
- Iron Chef Collection
- WWWJDIC (Monash University server)
Other references
- ↑ Super Star Group Introduction page. Includes a picture of Chow flanked by Chen and Chairman Kaga.
- ↑ Stein, Joel (June 26, 2000). "The Joy Of Cooking". Time. Retrieved 2009-08-07. Exact quote used in the show: "Flay says he was given inferior cooking space and equipment."
- ↑ "Takeshi Kaga". IMDB. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ↑ Lucchesi, Paolo (November 2, 2012). "'Iron Chef' returns to Japan after 13 years". Inside Scoop SF. Retrieved January 3, 2013.