All Episodes
Episode 6
Nakamura Retirement Special
February 13, 1998
Nakamura's final fight is with Hattori Yukio in Battle Tuna.
Episode 7
Nakamura's Retirement Special (Tuna Battle) Part II
February 20, 1998
Nakamura's final fight is with Hattori Yukio in Battle Tuna.
Episode 8
Morimoto vs Hirayama Yukio (Red Snapper Battle)
February 27, 1998
Morimoto’s debut as an Iron Chef brings a difficult challenger—Yukio Hirayama.
Episode 10
Kobe vs. Mario Frittoli (Broccoli Battle)
March 13, 1998
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.
Episode 11
Morimoto vs Kimura Masayoshi (Rice Battle)
April 4, 1998
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?
Episode 12
Sakai vs Tomoji Ichikawa (Guinea Fowl Battle)
April 10, 1998
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
Episode 13
Chen vs Harada Mitsuro (Spanish Mackerel Battle)
April 17, 1998
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?
Episode 14
Chen vs Shimamura Takashi (Pen Shell Battle)
April 24, 1998
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?
Episode 15
Morimoto vs. Tetsuo Hagiwara (Bamboo Shoots Battle)
May 1, 1998
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.
Episode 16
Kobe vs. Yosei Watanabe (Mango Battle)
May 8, 1998
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
Episode 17
Morimoto vs. Yasuhiko Habuchi (Asparagus Battle)
May 15, 1998
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.
Episode 18
Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Pork Belly Battle)
May 22, 1998
The younger sibling of the Liang brothers, rulers of Cantonese cuisine in Japan, faces Iron Chef Chinese.
Episode 20
Sakai vs Kobayashi Kumiko (Mishima Beef Battle)
June 5, 1998
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.
Episode 21
Morimoto vs Kenichi Miyanaga (Sweetfish Battle)
June 12, 1998
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?
Episode 22
Chen vs Kentaro (Potato Battle)
June 19, 1998
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.
Episode 24
Morimoto vs. Takaji Yoshida (Tofu Battle)
July 3, 1998
Morimoto fights a traditionalist chef who fills his dishes with nostalgia.
Episode 26
Chen vs. Junichi Itoh (Yogurt Battle)
July 17, 1998
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.
Episode 32
2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part I
August 28, 1998
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
Episode 33
2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part II
September 4, 1998
Sakai vs. Chen. Each have a special partner chef assigned by Kaga in a French vs. Chinese showdown.
Episode 34
Sakai vs Kyonori Miura (Squid Battle)
September 11, 1998
Sakai battles the "conjurer of garlic".
Episode 36
Morimoto vs. Shuichi Fuji (Salmon Battle)
September 25, 1998
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.
Episode 37
Kobe vs. Shinya Tasaki (Tuna Battle)
October 2, 1998
Tasaki is a world champion sommelier who always dreamed of becoming a famed chef. Chairman Kaga decides to grant him his wish.
Episode 38
Sakai vs Ron Siegel (Lobster Battle)
October 9, 1998
An American chef enters Kitchen Stadium for a lobster battle.
Episode 39
Chen vs Kagata Kyoko (Veal Battle)
October 16, 1998
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.
Episode 40
Morimoto vs Tatsutoshi Kumamoto (Natto Battle)
October 23, 1998
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.
Episode 42
Sakai vs Kazumi Nagayama (Saury Battle)
November 6, 1998
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.
Episode 43
Chen vs. Hisao Yaginuma (Shanghai Cabbage Battle)
November 13, 1998
Chen defends his honor in this Bok Choy battle.
Episode 44
Kobe vs. Takatsugu Sasaoka (Maitake Battle)
November 20, 1998
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.
Episode 45
Morimoto vs. Marco Molinari (Porcini Battle)
November 27, 1998
By the age of 13, Molinari was already a chef at a 3-star restaurant. Now, cultures clash in this mushroom battle.
Episode 47
Kobe vs Yoneda Hiromichi (Octopus Battle)
December 11, 1998
This octopus showdown has everyone up in arms.
Episode 49
Morimoto vs. Jiro Ogue (Turkey Battle)
December 25, 1998
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.