Iron Chef

Episode 1

Chen vs Xie Huaxian (Lobster Battle)

Jan 8, 1999

Episode 2

Sakai vs Koei Kamimura (Codfish Battle)

Jan 15, 1999

Episode 3

Kobe vs. Costantino Gemmoli (Bell Pepper Battle)

Jan 22, 1999

Episode 4

Morimoto vs. Hiroyuki Hakogi (Yellowtail Battle)

Jan 29, 1999

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.

Episode 5

Morimoto vs Tetsuji Iio (King Crab Battle)

Feb 5, 1999

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.

Episode 6

Kobe vs Tsujiguchi Hironobu (Banana Battle)

Feb 12, 1999

Episode 7

Sakai vs Senba Toshiya (Oyster Battle)

Feb 19, 1999

Episode 8

Chen vs Asao Ryozo (Sturgeon Battle)

Feb 26, 1999

Episode 9

Morimoto Retrospective Part I

Mar 5, 1999

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

Episode 10

Morimoto Retrospective Part II: Morimoto vs Nakamura Komei (Egg Battle)

Mar 12, 1999

The second hour of the Morimoto retrospective.

Episode 11

Sakai vs Koji Hosogai (Oxtail Battle)

Mar 19, 1999

Episode 12

Morimoto vs Masahara Seiya (Anglerfish Battle)

Mar 26, 1999

Episode 13

Chen vs Cui Yufen (Chinese Cabbage Battle)

Apr 2, 1999

Episode 14

Sakai vs. Tohru Komori (Udon Battle)

Apr 9, 1999

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.

Episode 15

Kobe vs. Franco Canzoniere (Tomato Battle)

Apr 16, 1999

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

Episode 16

Morimoto vs. Yusuke Yamashita (Cod Roe Battle)

Apr 23, 1999

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.

Episode 17

Morimoto vs. Yamashita Yusuke Overtime (Scallions Battle)

Apr 30, 1999

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

Episode 18

Chen vs Okubo Takeshi (Bean Sprout Battle)

May 7, 1999

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?

Episode 19

Sakai vs Michel Husser (Lamb Battle)

May 14, 1999

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.

Episode 20

Chen vs Spano Stelvio (Piglet Battle)

May 21, 1999

The Iron Chefs have been on a losing streak. The Chairman brings in an up and coming chef who could prove to be very dangerous indeed.

Episode 21

Indonesian Expedition Part I

May 28, 1999

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

Episode 22

Indonesian Expedition Part II

Jun 4, 1999

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

Episode 23

Kobe vs Makoto Osada (Giant Lobster Battle)

Jun 11, 1999

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.

Episode 24

Morimoto vs Nakazawa Keiji (Sushi Battle)

Jun 18, 1999

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.

Episode 25

Sakai vs Makio Isao (Black Pig Battle)

Jun 25, 1999

As Sakai battles thoughts of retirement, the rare ingredient is an equalizer between two powerful chefs who were friends in middle school.

Episode 26

Morimoto vs Michael Noble (Potato Battle)

Jul 2, 1999

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

Episode 27

Chen vs Tateno Yuji (Sea Urchin Roe Battle)

Jul 9, 1999

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?

Episode 28

Morimoto vs Tanigawa Yoshimi (Pike Eel Battle)

Jul 16, 1999

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.

Episode 29

Kobe vs. Shoji Yamaoka (Jumbo Mushroom Battle)

Jul 23, 1999

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

Episode 30

Chen vs Dominique Corby (Foie Gras Battle)

Jul 30, 1999

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.

Episode 31

Chen vs. Dominique Corby Overtime (Asparagus Battle)

Aug 6, 1999

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

Episode 32

Kobe vs Sakai Hiroki (Conger Eel Battle)

Aug 13, 1999

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?

Episode 33

Morimoto vs Watanabe Akira (Cuttlefish Battle)

Aug 20, 1999

Battle cuttlefish becomes a test of the chefs' seafood knowledge.

Episode 34

Sakai vs Yoshihide Koga (Stingray Battle)

Aug 27, 1999

The sea ray rules the ocean, who will rule the kitchen?

Episode 35

Morimoto vs Shigematsu Ryozo (Sea Bass Battle)

Sep 3, 1999

Episode 36

King Of Iron Chef's Tournament Round One (Tokyo X Battle)

Sep 10, 1999

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

Episode 37

King Of Iron Chef's Tournament Round Two (Bell Pepper Battle)

Sep 17, 1999

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

Episode 38

King Of Iron Chefs Tournament Final 1

Sep 24, 1999

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.

Episode 39

King Of Iron Chefs Tournament Final 2

Oct 1, 1999

Episode 40

King Of Iron Chefs Tournament Final 3

Oct 8, 1999

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.