The BEST episodes of Iron Chef season 6
Every episode of Iron Chef season 6, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Iron Chef season 6!
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.
#1 - Sakai vs Ron Siegel (Lobster)
Season 6 - Episode 38 - Aired 10/9/1998
An American chef enters Kitchen Stadium for a lobster battle.
#2 - Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Pork Belly)
Season 6 - Episode 18 - Aired 5/22/1998
The younger sibling of the Liang brothers, rulers of Cantonese cuisine in Japan, faces Iron Chef Chinese.
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#3 - 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).
#4 - 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)
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#5 - 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.
#6 - Morimoto vs Marco Molinari (Porcini)
Season 6 - Episode 45 - Aired 11/27/1998
By the age of 13, Molinari was already a chef at a 3-star restaurant. Now, cultures clash in this mushroom battle.
#7 - Kobe vs Takatsugu Sasaoka (Maitake)
Season 6 - Episode 44 - Aired 11/20/1998
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.
#8 - Kobe vs Shinya Tasaki (Tuna)
Season 6 - Episode 37 - Aired 10/2/1998
Tasaki is a world champion sommelier who always dreamed of becoming a famed chef. Chairman Kaga decides to grant him his wish.
#9 - Sakai vs Kondo Motohito (Girls' Festival)
Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/6/1998
In honor of the Girls' Festival, Kaga invites a challenger from the ancient city of Kamakura, Motohito Kondo, who had training in Kyoto and is an expert in both tea and sake. He challenges Iron Chef French Sakai. For this one battle only, there is no theme ingredient (the theme is the Girls' Festival itself), and the chefs are invited to improvise dishes using only the ingredients provided by the Kitchen Stadium pantry. Judges (for this occasion, all female spanning four generations): Yumi Adachi (Actress, Teen), Naomi Hosokawa (Actress, Young Adult), Yoko Akino (Actress, Middle-Age), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic, Elder)
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#10 - Kobe vs Yasuhiro Sasajima (Eggplant)
Season 6 - Episode 23 - Aired 6/26/1998
The Iron Chef Italian is challenged by an Italian chef who never ceases to pack his restaurant with customers: quite a feat for a chef hailing from Kyoto, a place infamous for having very refined taste.
#11 - Sakai vs Shimokawa Shuzo (Jinhua Pork)
Season 6 - Episode 25 - Aired 7/10/1998
Maiji Kinenkan is the oldest bridal hall in Japan undergoing an upgrade to celebrate its 50th anniversary. This includes the addition of a Chinese restaurant, and its new grand chef, a Cantonese master and an expert in cooking for large gatherings, is today's challenger.
#12 - Kobe vs Sakai Miyoko (Blue Crab)
Season 6 - Episode 28 - Aired 7/31/1998
The Iron Chef Italian is called upon to face Miyoko Sakai, a famed Thai food critic who has had the privilege to learn the secrets of royal Thai cuisine straight from the source—Thai Princess Sita—and has been passing on the techniques to Thai chefs throughout Tokyo. The theme ingredient is Blue Crab, a luxurious shellfish familiar to the challenger. The Thai ambassador to Japan and his wife are invited to observe and taste. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh (Photographer), Kayoko Kishimoto (Actress), Nobuhiro Takeda (Soccer Player), Kazuko Hosoki (Fortune Teller)
#13 - Chen vs Miyazawa Kaoru (Carp)
Season 6 - Episode 31 - Aired 8/21/1998
Chen's challenger is a man who mastered Chaozhou-style Chinese cuisine: an exacting style that is actually able to please the sensitive tastes of customers in Kyoto.
#14 - Sakai vs Kyonori Miura (Squid)
Season 6 - Episode 34 - Aired 9/11/1998
Sakai battles the "conjurer of garlic", an Italian chef who learned to embrace the pungent ingredient as real Italians do. Sakai is further challenged by the choice of ingredient: live squids.
#15 - Morimoto vs Kimura Masayoshi (Rice)
Season 6 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/4/1998
The challenger, one of the last proteges of Chen Kenmin, 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 the Iron Chef Japanese?
#16 - Kobe vs Yoneda Hiromichi (Octopus)
Season 6 - Episode 47 - Aired 12/11/1998
This octopus showdown has everyone up in arms.
#17 - Chen vs Kagata Kyoko (Veal)
Season 6 - Episode 39 - Aired 10/16/1998
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.
#18 - Morimoto vs Kajimoto Takeshi (Abalone)
Season 6 - Episode 27 - Aired 7/24/1998
Today's challenger carries the samurai spirit of Yamaguchi Prefecture and a vast knowledge of kelp which he employs to produce broths which he claims are key to his dishes.
#19 - Kobe vs Yosei Watanabe (Mango)
Season 6 - Episode 16 - Aired 5/8/1998
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
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#20 - Sakai vs Tomoji Ichikawa (Guinea Fowl)
Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/10/1998
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
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#21 - Morimoto vs Kenichi Miyanaga (Sweetfish)
Season 6 - Episode 21 - Aired 6/12/1998
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?
#22 - Morimoto vs Jiro Ogue (Turkey)
Season 6 - Episode 49 - Aired 12/25/1998
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.
#23 - Chen vs Mitsuo Suganuma (Shark Fin)
Season 6 - Episode 48 - Aired 12/18/1998
The elite Chinese restaurant Hei Chin Rou sends its second "hitman" against Iron Chef Chen after he defeated Yaginuma one month ago. If Chen takes down this challenger, he will be the first Iron Chef to 60 wins.
#24 - Sakai vs Hazama Mitsuo (Duck)
Season 6 - Episode 46 - Aired 12/4/1998
Iron Chef Sakai's opponent in this battle is the third generation of a family that has become famous for exploring the world in search of prime ingredients to incorporate into unique recipes.
#25 - Morimoto vs Tetsuo Hagiwara (Bamboo Shoots)
Season 6 - Episode 15 - Aired 5/1/1998
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.
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