The BEST episodes of Iron Chef
Every episode of Iron Chef ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Iron Chef!
Iron Chef is an innovative cooking competition from Japan. Originally produced by Fuji TV, Iron Chef combined the excitement of a one on one sports competition with gourmet cooking. The title Iron Chefcomes from the original Japanese title, Ironmen of Cooking. This innovative game show was always popular in its native Japan, but it found international success when the Food Network bought the series and began airing English dubbed episodes. It became a cult classic as viewers were treated to exotic ingredients and innovative cooking techniques. No expense was spared. Chefs seemed to have almost limitless supplies of the most exotic and expensive gourmet ingredients. The competition is hosted by Chairman Kaga, an over-the-top master of ceremonies. He introduced a "secret ingredient" that the challenger and the chosen Iron Chef had to incorporate into every dish. Originally, the program was 30 minutes long, but it was soon expanded to an hour format. Each chef presented his/her dishes to a panel of 3-4 judges who rated the dishes to crown a winner. All of the competitions occurred in a specially designed "kitchen stadium". The New York Times once described Iron Chef as "kamikaze cooking". Iron Chefs and their competitors became celebrities in their own right. Storylines developed between groups determined to defeat the Iron Chefs. The show was so successful in English speaking countries that several spin-offs, specials, and updated versions were produced.
#3 - Sakai vs Yuji Wakiya (Sea Urchin)
Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 6/17/1994
Sea Urchin provides a young chef the chance to revolutionalize Chinese cooking. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
#4 - Chen vs Katsuyo Kobayashi (Potato)
Season 2 - Episode 32 - Aired 8/19/1994
Chen faces the second female chef in kitchen stadium. She is a television icon to many Japanese housewives. Both chefs enjoy fame. One's an Iron Chef, the other hosts a popular cooking show. Spuds will fly in battle potato.
#5 - Sakai vs Hidetoshi Ushimaru (Curry Powder)
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/19/1996
While the search continues for a new Iron Chef Japanese, Iron Chef French Sakai accepts the challenge of a rising French-trained chef making a name in hotel dining: head chef of the Terrace at the Westin Tokyo. Wanting to spice up the battle, Chairman Kaga presents them with a challenging theme: curry powder accompanied by five other spices for variety.
Watch Now:Apple TV#6 - Chen vs Lee Myong Suk (Liver)
Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 5/5/1995
Chairman Kaga welcomes his first Korean challenger, bringing with her a distinctive form of cuisine rarely seen in Japan.
#7 - Michiba and Sakai vs The Cuomo Brothers (Tomato)
Season 3 - Episode 33 - Aired 8/18/1995
Tag Team Battle! Two Iron Chefs vs 2 Italian Brothers in the battle of the tomato. After growing up in Italy, these brothers started their own restaurant in Tokyo. It is so popular that you must make reservations up to 6 months in advance. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Songwriter), Hideki Saijo (Singer), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)
#8 - Sakai vs Mario Nakagawa (Lamb)
Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/22/1994
Sakai must face a former apprentice. Which will prevail - Sakai's traditional methods or Nakagawa's nouveau "third wave" style? Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)
#9 - The Final Kitchen Stadium Battle (Longgang Chicken)
Season 7 - Episode 40 - Aired 9/24/1999
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.
Watch Now:Amazon#10 - Chen vs Tsuguo Fujiwara (Sea Cucumber)
Season 3 - Episode 38 - Aired 9/22/1995
Tsuguo Fujiwara is Managing Director of the Chinese Chefs' Association of Japan: the largest association of Chinese chefs in the country. Iron Chef Chinese Chen is placed in an uncomfortable position. As a lower member of the Association, he finds himself feeling like the challenger for once as he has to face his senior.
#11 - Sakai vs Ron Siegel (Lobster)
Season 6 - Episode 38 - Aired 10/9/1998
An American chef enters Kitchen Stadium for a lobster battle.
#12 - Nakamura vs Kiyoshi Suzuki (Foie Gras)
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/1/1996
After two months, retired Iron Chef Michiba presents Chairman Kaga with his successor: Komei Nakamura, an imposing chef from a prestigious formal Japanese restaurant who both keeps a traditional base and fearlessly seeks out new ideas. For his inaugural battle, he faces two challenges: the owner of Auberge de Suzuki in Seijo, one of the chefs of Club des Trentes; and the theme of Foie Gras, the same ingredient Michiba faced in his debut match three years ago.
Watch Now:Apple TV#13 - Chen vs Yukihiro Noda (Sardine)
Season 3 - Episode 25 - Aired 6/23/1995
Chairman Kaga is in a very bad mood. His Iron Chefs have lost their last two battles. Worse, the stress of the last loss has left the mighty Iron Chef Japanese Michiba in the hospital. And now, he has to answer a challenger representing the famed Italian restaurateur Don Sabatini. Can Chen avoid the fate of his fellow Iron Chefs and defend the honor of Kitchen Stadium?
#15 - Michiba vs Yukio Hattori (Truffle)
Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/29/1994
Commentator Dr. Hattori issues a challenge to Michiba and is rewarded with an incredible secret ingredient. Judges: Joel Robuchon (Chef), Mai Kitajima (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
#16 - Nakamura vs Toyoaki Suganuma (Egg)
Season 4 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/19/1996
#17 - Chen vs He Yewen (Lettuce)
Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/26/1996
The new chef of Akasaka Rikyu demonstrates his distinctive Hong Kong cooking skills.
#18 - Nakamura vs Katsuko Nanao (Cod Roe)
Season 4 - Episode 19 - Aired 5/3/1996
Chairman Kaga welcomes a woman who opened a restaurant that specializes in home-style Japanese cuisine and presents for the battle a common, everyday ingredient that fits in her style.
#19 - Chen vs Shunji Morikawa (Pineapple)
Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/10/1996
Morikawa's restaurant, Cay, is said to have pioneered Thai food in Japan. His patrons include Stephen Hawking and Yoko Ono. Can Chen beat him at his own game?
#20 - Sakai vs Tamotsu Takao (Abalone)
Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/17/1996
Mikasa-kaikan is one of the oldest and most respected French restaurants in Japan. Today's challenger is head chef of its coastal Kuganuma branch and the last direct disciple of the restaurant's late founding Grand Chef.
#21 - Chen vs Gotoh Ichio (Cuttlefish)
Season 4 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/31/1996
Today's challenger is French-influenced Italian chef of such renown that anywhere he cooks, you'll find lines running out the door.
#23 - Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Konnyaku) Overtime
Season 6 - Episode 19 - Aired 5/29/1998
The highly-anticipated Pork Belly Battle ends in a tie, forcing a 30-minute overtime battle: this time using Konnyaku (Arum Root).
#24 - 2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part II
Season 6 - Episode 33 - Aired 9/4/1998
Part 2 of 2: The special battle to honor 2,000 dishes in Kitchen Stadium continues with Team All French (Sakai, Ishinabe, Joh) versus Team All Chinese (Chen, Wakiya, Miyamoto), each working to complete their special meals set on platters made for the occasion. The judgment provides a surprise ending. Judges: Mitsuko Ishii (Newscaster, one of the first judges), Shinichiro Kurimoto (Lower House Member, second-most-frequent judge), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic, most-frequent judge), Kenji Fukui (The Show's Announcer)
Watch Now:Amazon#25 - Kobe vs Kensuke Sakai (Pumpkin)
Season 6 - Episode 41 - Aired 10/30/1998
Iron Chef Italian Kobe is pitted against an unusual Italian cuisine chef who operates out of his own food cart.