Iron Chef

Episode 1

Chen vs Inoue Akihiko (Salmon Battle)

Jan 9, 1998

Episode 2

Kobe vs Fukazu Yasuhiro (Deer Battle)

Jan 16, 1998

Episode 3

Sakai vs Matsumoto Yoshimasa (Crab Battle)

Jan 23, 1998

Episode 4

Chen vs Tou Choki (Black Tiger Battle)

Jan 30, 1998

Episode 5

Sakai vs Sato Fumiaki (Radish Battle)

Feb 6, 1998

Episode 6

Nakamura Retirement Special

Feb 13, 1998

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

Episode 7

Nakamura's Retirement Special (Tuna Battle) Part II

Feb 20, 1998

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

Episode 8

Morimoto vs Hirayama Yukio (Red Snapper Battle)

Feb 27, 1998

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

Episode 9

Sakai vs Kondo Motohito (Girls' Festival)

Mar 6, 1998

Episode 10

Kobe vs. Mario Frittoli (Broccoli Battle)

Mar 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)

Apr 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)

Apr 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)

Apr 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)

Apr 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 19

Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Konnyaku Battle) Overtime

May 29, 1998

Battle Arum Root.

Episode 20

Sakai vs Kobayashi Kumiko (Mishima Beef Battle)

Jun 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)

Jun 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)

Jun 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 23

Kobe vs. Yasuhiro Sasajima (Eggplant Battle)

Jun 26, 1998

Episode 24

Morimoto vs. Takaji Yoshida (Tofu Battle)

Jul 3, 1998

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

Episode 25

Sakai vs Shimokawa Shuzo (Jinhua Pork Battle)

Jul 10, 1998

Episode 26

Chen vs. Junichi Itoh (Yogurt Battle)

Jul 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 27

Morimoto vs Kajimoto Takeshi (Abalone Battle)

Jul 24, 1997

Episode 28

Kobe vs Sakai Miyoko (Blue Crab Battle)

Jul 31, 1998

Episode 29

Morimoto vs Hirokazu Handa (Giant Eel Battle)

Aug 7, 1998

Episode 30

Sakai vs Watabe Masanobu (Peach Battle)

Aug 14, 1998

Episode 31

Chen vs Miyazawa Kaoru (Carp Battle)

Aug 21, 1998

Episode 32

2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part I

Aug 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

Sep 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)

Sep 11, 1998

Sakai battles the "conjurer of garlic".

Episode 35

Chen vs Maruyama Hideki (Sardine Battle)

Sep 18, 1998

Episode 36

Morimoto vs. Shuichi Fuji (Salmon Battle)

Sep 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)

Oct 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)

Oct 9, 1998

An American chef enters Kitchen Stadium for a lobster battle.

Episode 39

Chen vs Kagata Kyoko (Veal Battle)

Oct 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)

Oct 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 41

Kobe vs. Kensuke Sakai (Pumpkin Battle)

Oct 30, 1998

Episode 42

Sakai vs Kazumi Nagayama (Saury Battle)

Nov 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)

Nov 13, 1998

Chen defends his honor in this Bok Choy battle.

Episode 44

Kobe vs. Takatsugu Sasaoka (Maitake Battle)

Nov 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)

Nov 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 46

Sakai vs Hazama Mitsuo (Duck Battle)

Dec 4, 1998

Episode 47

Kobe vs Yoneda Hiromichi (Octopus Battle)

Dec 11, 1998

This octopus showdown has everyone up in arms.

Episode 48

Chen vs Mitsuo Suganuma (Shark Fin Battle)

Dec 18, 1998

Episode 49

Morimoto vs. Jiro Ogue (Turkey Battle)

Dec 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.