Japan / SEASON

Season 5

48 listed episodes · First aired January 10, 1997

EPISODE GUIDE

Episodes

Full guide ↗
E1Sakai vs Kasahara Hiroshi (Rice Cake Battle)

E2Chen vs Michifude Hiroshi (Dried Scallop Battle)

The challenger is the 25-year-old son of a prominent Chinese cuisine chef whose restaurant "Kochouran" in Kobe was demolished during the huge earthquake back in 1995. It's been 2 years by the time they taped this, and t…

E3Sakai vs Rory Kennedy (Rabbit Battle)

The challenger is the head chef of a London restaurant that was established in 1798. He is a master of Gibier (wild game) cuisine. Only four months after this episode originally aired in Japan, Chef Kennedy died after a…

E4Sakai vs Rory Kennedy (Pigeon Battle) Overtime

It is only the second overtime battle in the history of Kitchen Stadium. The chefs used most of the supplies and ingredients in the first battle, so they must be creative during this 30-minute overtime cook-off.

E5Nakamura vs Morieda Hiroyoshi (Crab Battle)

E6Chen vs Kou Houkou (Rice Battle)

The challenger is Premier Chef in China. He is an expert in Fujian Cuisine. This is a battle between two outstanding Chinese chefs.

E7Sakai vs Shimada Tetsuya (Truffle Battle)

Club Mistral is back with yet another challenger for Sakai. Shimada trained in France for 5 years before returning to Japan. He hopes to show that the new generation of French chefs in Japan is ready to take over. Can S…

E8Nakamura vs Yamazaki Tateo (Nattou Battle)

E9Sakai vs Jyo Etsuo (Wine Battle)

E10Chen vs Wakiya Yuji (Papaya Battle)

E11Nakamura vs Mera Takashi (Seaweed Battle)

E12Sakai vs Kitami Hiroyuki (Honey Battle)

E13Nakamura vs You Koukan (Hanami Festival)

This battle does not have a theme ingredient, but it does have a theme. Hanami, or flower viewing, is the theme of this battle. The challenger is a Chinese chef. He heads a Chinese restaurant with a long history. The ta…

E14Sakai vs Okumura Shinzou (Bamboo Shoot Battle)

E15Chen vs Ootsuki Chihiro (Tomato Battle)

The challenger is a woman who specializes in the cuisine of Spain. This is a very close battle that is decided by one point. Judges: Tenmei Kano, Minako Tanaka (Actress), Tsurutato Kataoka (Actor), Asako Kishi (Critic)

E16Sakai vs Sasaki Kiyoyasu (Perch Battle)

The challenger trained under the legendary French chef Paul Bocuse. (I think he may have been the first Japanese chef that Bocuse trained.) Judges: Tenmei Kanoh (Photographer), Sayuri Ishikawa (Actress), Sanshi Katsura…

E17Nakamura vs Azumaya Norio (Pork Battle)

The challenger was once a chef at Nadaman, the restaurant where Nakamura currently works. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Kishimoto Kayoko, Hideki Takahashi, Asako Kishi

E18Nakamura vs Jillian Harst (Ostrich Battle)

Despite having had challengers from around the world, Chairman Kaga had not welcomed a chef from Australia. The challenger is the owner/chef at Indigo. She began her training at age 19. At age 31, she opened her own res…

E19Chen vs Takagi Masao (Duck's Egg Battle)

Kitchen Stadium has been open for a little more than three and a half years. The last of the original Iron Chefs is Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi. The challenger excels at Shanhai style cooking. He challenger began his…

E20Sakai vs Germano Orsara (Ham Battle)

The brother of the challenger did battle against Chen in a Swordfish battle two years earlier. It is an Italian vs. French battle. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Keiko Saito (Actress), Tatsuo Umemiya (Actor), Asako…

E21Nakamura vs Sakane Hisahito (Sea Eel Battle)

The challenger is the number two man at one of Kandagawa Honten, the main restaurant of Toshiro Kandagawa. He is only 27 years old. Judges: Emoto Takenori, Reiko Takashima, Tsurutaro Kataoka, Asako Kishi

E22Kobe vs Hagiwara Masahiko (Pasta Battle)

Debut battle of Iron Chef Italian Masahiko Kobe. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Masumi Okada (Actor), Kazuko Katoh (Actress), Asako Kishi

E23Sakai vs Sato Norio (Amberjack - Kampachi Battle)

The challenger lives on the Izu Peninsula, west of Tokyo. It is a region known for its hot springs and abundant fish. Of course, his dishes are full of the flavors of the sea. Judges: Shinichiro Kuriimoto, Akiko Yano, …

E24Chen vs Syu Kenchu (Akahata - Grouper Battle)

The challenger is a top chef from Hong Kong. He has won many cooking competitions. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Saya Takagi, Chai Lam, Asako Kishi

E25Nakamura vs Kashima Masami (Prawn Battle)

The challenger trained in France, but he now specializes in Vietnamese cooking. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Keiko Saito, Hideki Takahasi, Asako Kishi

E26Sakai vs Ishikawa Toshiyuki (Sea Urchin Battle)

The challenger started training to be a chef at the age of 15. He earns praise from both Iron Chef Chen and Dr. Yukio Hattori. The Chairman calls him the future of Chinese cooking in Japan. Judges: Takenori Emoto, Megu…

E27Chen vs Matsuno Yoshikazu (Mantis Shrimp - Shako Battle)

The challenger is a sushi chef from Yokohama who is a favorite of famous athletes and entertainers. He entered the sushi world at age the age of 16. Chairman Kaga calls him a sushi artisan. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto,…

E28Kobe vs Stephan Tabacchi (Cabbage Battle)

This is the second battle in Kitchen Stadium for the new Iron Chef Italian, Masahiko Kobe. He lost his first time in action, and the Chairman wants to see if he has what it takes to win as an Iron Chef. The challenger …

E29Sakai vs Toyoshima Seiji (Milk Battle)

The challenger is the fourth sent by Club Mistral to take on Iron Chef Sakai. The chef operates a restaurant in Ginza. I think the ladies of Ginza really like his dishes. It has been three years since Club Mistral sent…

E30Nakamura Chin vs Sakai Kobe (Watermelon Battle)

It is summertime, and Chairman Kaga wants to celebrate with a summer festival. The Iron Chefs are divided into two teams: Asia Team (Chen and Nakamura) and Europe Team (Sakai and Kobe). Kaga asks, What theme do I choos…

E31Chen vs Souseiko Kawaguchi (Eggplant Battle)

It is time for the Obon Festival in Japan. (It traditionally takes place in mid-August) The challenger is a buddhist monk who prepares vegetarian meals. She is the younger sister of the challenger from Season 2, Sakai v…

E32Sakai vs Androsoni Pietro (Melon Battle)

E33Nakamura vs Kojima Koten (Potato Battle)

The challenger is the number one French chef on Kyushu. He opened his own restaurant at the age of 26. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Senri Yamabuki, Tetsuya Bessho, Yoshiko Ishii

E34Nakamura vs Kojima Koten (Flatfish Battle) Overtime

The challenger is the number one French chef on Kyushu. He opened his own restaurant at the age of 26. The previous battle between these two chefs was declared a no contest by The Chairman. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Hirok…

E35Sakai vs Nakajima Toshiyuki (Cow's Cheek Battle)

The challenger has declined many invitations from Chairman Kaga to do battle in Kitchen Stadium. He heads a French restaurant in Aoyama, Tokyo. He trained in top restaurants in France. It’s a French on French battle as …

E36Chen vs Igarashi Miyuki (Cucumber Battle)

This challenger is the youngest ever to enter Kitchen Stadium. At the young age of 22, she already heads the kitchen of a bustling Chinese restaurant in Tokyo. She was only 7 when she began helping her father in the kit…

E37Kobe vs Imai Fujio (Matsutake Battle)

The challenger’s restaurant is often visited by Crown Prince Akihito, Princess Masako and Princess Kiko. He started his culinary training at the age of 15. He became a head chef at 24. The Chairman spent 1 million yen o…

E381997 World Cup

1997 "World Cup" tournament in Arashiyama. Liu Xikun vs. Nakamura (Beef) and Alain Passard vs. Patrick Clark (Homard Lobster). The winners face each other in a Foie Gras Battle.

E39Chen vs Nagasaka Matsuo (Spareribs Battle)

Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Yoshizumi Ishihara, Keiko Saito, Asako Kishi

E40Sakai vs Goto Masashi (Prawn Battle)

E41Kobe vs Seki Yuji (Chestnut Battle)

Iron Chef Kobe is the Prince of Pasta. His challenger tonight is the Prince of Chinese cuisine. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Kazuko Kato, Koki Mitani, Chieko Honma

E42Nakamura vs Azuma Keiji (Lamb Battle)

E43Chen vs Matsushima Toru (Crab Battle)

E44Kobe vs Takahashi Kazunari (Milt Battle)

E45Kobe vs Takahashi Kazunari (Shrimp Battle) Over Time

E46Nakamura vs Moris Guilett (Scallop Battle)

E47Kobe vs Takagi Yasumasa (Strawberry Battle)

E48Nakamura vs Kandagawa Toshiro (Bony Parts Battle)