Season 6

1. Chen vs Inoue Akihiko (Salmon Battle)

1998-01-09 • 30 min

2. Kobe vs Fukazu Yasuhiro (Deer Battle)

1998-01-16 • 30 min

3. Sakai vs Matsumoto Yoshimasa (Crab Battle)

1998-01-23 • 30 min

4. Chen vs Tou Choki (Black Tiger Battle)

1998-01-30 • 30 min

5. Sakai vs Sato Fumiaki (Radish Battle)

1998-02-06 • 30 min

6. Nakamura Retirement Special

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

1998-02-13 • 30 min

7. Nakamura's Retirement Special (Tuna Battle) Part II

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

1998-02-20 • 30 min

8. Morimoto vs Hirayama Yukio (Red Snapper Battle)

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

1998-02-27 • 30 min

9. Sakai vs Kondo Motohito (Girls' Festival)

1998-03-06 • 30 min

10. Kobe vs. Mario Frittoli (Broccoli Battle)

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.

1998-03-13 • 30 min

11. Morimoto vs Kimura Masayoshi (Rice Battle)

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?

1998-04-04 • 30 min

12. Sakai vs Tomoji Ichikawa (Guinea Fowl Battle)

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

1998-04-10 • 30 min

13. Chen vs Harada Mitsuro (Spanish Mackerel Battle)

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?

1998-04-17 • 30 min

14. Chen vs Shimamura Takashi (Pen Shell Battle)

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?

1998-04-24 • 30 min

15. Morimoto vs. Tetsuo Hagiwara (Bamboo Shoots Battle)

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.

1998-05-01 • 30 min

16. Kobe vs. Yosei Watanabe (Mango Battle)

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

1998-05-08 • 30 min

17. Morimoto vs. Yasuhiko Habuchi (Asparagus Battle)

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.

1998-05-15 • 30 min

18. Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Pork Belly Battle)

The younger sibling of the Liang brothers, rulers of Cantonese cuisine in Japan, faces Iron Chef Chinese.

1998-05-22 • 30 min

19. Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Konnyaku Battle) Overtime

Battle Arum Root.

1998-05-29 • 30 min

20. Sakai vs Kobayashi Kumiko (Mishima Beef Battle)

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.

1998-06-05 • 30 min

21. Morimoto vs Kenichi Miyanaga (Sweetfish Battle)

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?

1998-06-12 • 30 min

22. Chen vs Kentaro (Potato Battle)

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.

1998-06-19 • 30 min

23. Kobe vs. Yasuhiro Sasajima (Eggplant Battle)

1998-06-26 • 30 min

24. Morimoto vs. Takaji Yoshida (Tofu Battle)

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

1998-07-03 • 30 min

25. Sakai vs Shimokawa Shuzo (Jinhua Pork Battle)

1998-07-10 • 30 min

26. Chen vs. Junichi Itoh (Yogurt Battle)

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.

1998-07-17 • 30 min

27. Morimoto vs Kajimoto Takeshi (Abalone Battle)

1997-07-24 • 30 min

28. Kobe vs Sakai Miyoko (Blue Crab Battle)

1998-07-31 • 30 min

29. Morimoto vs Hirokazu Handa (Giant Eel Battle)

1998-08-07 • 30 min

30. Sakai vs Watabe Masanobu (Peach Battle)

1998-08-14 • 30 min

31. Chen vs Miyazawa Kaoru (Carp Battle)

1998-08-21 • 30 min

32. 2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part I

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

1998-08-28 • 30 min

33. 2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part II

Sakai vs. Chen. Each have a special partner chef assigned by Kaga in a French vs. Chinese showdown.

1998-09-04 • 30 min

34. Sakai vs Kyonori Miura (Squid Battle)

Sakai battles the "conjurer of garlic".

1998-09-11 • 30 min

35. Chen vs Maruyama Hideki (Sardine Battle)

1998-09-18 • 30 min

36. Morimoto vs. Shuichi Fuji (Salmon Battle)

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.

1998-09-25 • 30 min

37. Kobe vs. Shinya Tasaki (Tuna Battle)

Tasaki is a world champion sommelier who always dreamed of becoming a famed chef. Chairman Kaga decides to grant him his wish.

1998-10-02 • 30 min

38. Sakai vs Ron Siegel (Lobster Battle)

An American chef enters Kitchen Stadium for a lobster battle.

1998-10-09 • 30 min

39. Chen vs Kagata Kyoko (Veal Battle)

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.

1998-10-16 • 30 min

40. Morimoto vs Tatsutoshi Kumamoto (Natto Battle)

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.

1998-10-23 • 30 min

41. Kobe vs. Kensuke Sakai (Pumpkin Battle)

1998-10-30 • 30 min

42. Sakai vs Kazumi Nagayama (Saury Battle)

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.

1998-11-06 • 30 min

43. Chen vs. Hisao Yaginuma (Shanghai Cabbage Battle)

Chen defends his honor in this Bok Choy battle.

1998-11-13 • 30 min

44. Kobe vs. Takatsugu Sasaoka (Maitake Battle)

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.

1998-11-20 • 30 min

45. Morimoto vs. Marco Molinari (Porcini Battle)

By the age of 13, Molinari was already a chef at a 3-star restaurant. Now, cultures clash in this mushroom battle.

1998-11-27 • 30 min

46. Sakai vs Hazama Mitsuo (Duck Battle)

1998-12-04 • 30 min

47. Kobe vs Yoneda Hiromichi (Octopus Battle)

This octopus showdown has everyone up in arms.

1998-12-11 • 30 min

48. Chen vs Mitsuo Suganuma (Shark Fin Battle)

1998-12-18 • 30 min

49. Morimoto vs. Jiro Ogue (Turkey Battle)

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.

1998-12-25 • 30 min