Season 6

01 Chen vs Inoue Akihiko (Salmon Battle) Episode 19th January 1998 02 Kobe vs Fukazu Yasuhiro (Deer Battle) Episode 216th January 1998 03 Sakai vs Matsumoto Yoshimasa (Crab Battle) Episode 323rd January 1998 04 Chen vs Tou Choki (Black Tiger Battle) Episode 430th January 1998 05 Sakai vs Sato Fumiaki (Radish Battle) Episode 56th February 1998 06 Nakamura Retirement Special Episode 613th February 1998 Nakamura's final fight is with Hattori Yukio in Battle Tuna. 07 Nakamura's Retirement Special (Tuna Battle) Part II Episode 720th February 1998 Nakamura's final fight is with Hattori Yukio in Battle Tuna. 08 Morimoto vs Hirayama Yukio (Red Snapper Battle) Episode 827th February 1998 Morimoto’s debut as an Iron Chef brings a difficult challenger—Yukio Hirayama. 09 Sakai vs Kondo Motohito (Girls' Festival) Episode 96th March 1998 10 Kobe vs. Mario Frittoli (Broccoli Battle) Episode 1013th March 1998 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. 11 Morimoto vs Kimura Masayoshi (Rice Battle) Episode 114th April 1998 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? 12 Sakai vs Tomoji Ichikawa (Guinea Fowl Battle) Episode 1210th April 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 13 Chen vs Harada Mitsuro (Spanish Mackerel Battle) Episode 1317th April 1998 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? 14 Chen vs Shimamura Takashi (Pen Shell Battle) Episode 1424th April 1998 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? 15 Morimoto vs. Tetsuo Hagiwara (Bamboo Shoots Battle) Episode 151st May 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. 16 Kobe vs. Yosei Watanabe (Mango Battle) Episode 168th May 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 17 Morimoto vs. Yasuhiko Habuchi (Asparagus Battle) Episode 1715th May 1998 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. 18 Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Pork Belly Battle) Episode 1822nd May 1998 The younger sibling of the Liang brothers, rulers of Cantonese cuisine in Japan, faces Iron Chef Chinese. 19 Chen vs Liang Shuqing (Konnyaku Battle) Overtime Episode 1929th May 1998 Battle Arum Root. 20 Sakai vs Kobayashi Kumiko (Mishima Beef Battle) Episode 205th June 1998 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. 21 Morimoto vs Kenichi Miyanaga (Sweetfish Battle) Episode 2112th June 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 Chen vs Kentaro (Potato Battle) Episode 2219th June 1998 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. 23 Kobe vs. Yasuhiro Sasajima (Eggplant Battle) Episode 2326th June 1998 24 Morimoto vs. Takaji Yoshida (Tofu Battle) Episode 243rd July 1998 Morimoto fights a traditionalist chef who fills his dishes with nostalgia. 25 Sakai vs Shimokawa Shuzo (Jinhua Pork Battle) Episode 2510th July 1998 26 Chen vs. Junichi Itoh (Yogurt Battle) Episode 2617th July 1998 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. 27 Morimoto vs Kajimoto Takeshi (Abalone Battle) Episode 2724th July 1997 28 Kobe vs Sakai Miyoko (Blue Crab Battle) Episode 2831st July 1998 29 Morimoto vs Hirokazu Handa (Giant Eel Battle) Episode 297th August 1998 30 Sakai vs Watabe Masanobu (Peach Battle) Episode 3014th August 1998 31 Chen vs Miyazawa Kaoru (Carp Battle) Episode 3121st August 1998 32 2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part I Episode 3228th August 1998 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 33 2000th Dish: French vs Chinese Part II Episode 334th September 1998 Sakai vs. Chen. Each have a special partner chef assigned by Kaga in a French vs. Chinese showdown. 34 Sakai vs Kyonori Miura (Squid Battle) Episode 3411th September 1998 Sakai battles the "conjurer of garlic". 35 Chen vs Maruyama Hideki (Sardine Battle) Episode 3518th September 1998 36 Morimoto vs. Shuichi Fuji (Salmon Battle) Episode 3625th September 1998 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. 37 Kobe vs. Shinya Tasaki (Tuna Battle) Episode 372nd October 1998 Tasaki is a world champion sommelier who always dreamed of becoming a famed chef. Chairman Kaga decides to grant him his wish. 38 Sakai vs Ron Siegel (Lobster Battle) Episode 389th October 1998 An American chef enters Kitchen Stadium for a lobster battle. 39 Chen vs Kagata Kyoko (Veal Battle) Episode 3916th October 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. 40 Morimoto vs Tatsutoshi Kumamoto (Natto Battle) Episode 4023rd October 1998 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. 41 Kobe vs. Kensuke Sakai (Pumpkin Battle) Episode 4130th October 1998 42 Sakai vs Kazumi Nagayama (Saury Battle) Episode 426th November 1998 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. 43 Chen vs. Hisao Yaginuma (Shanghai Cabbage Battle) Episode 4313th November 1998 Chen defends his honor in this Bok Choy battle. 44 Kobe vs. Takatsugu Sasaoka (Maitake Battle) Episode 4420th November 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. 45 Morimoto vs. Marco Molinari (Porcini Battle) Episode 4527th November 1998 By the age of 13, Molinari was already a chef at a 3-star restaurant. Now, cultures clash in this mushroom battle. 46 Sakai vs Hazama Mitsuo (Duck Battle) Episode 464th December 1998 47 Kobe vs Yoneda Hiromichi (Octopus Battle) Episode 4711th December 1998 This octopus showdown has everyone up in arms. 48 Chen vs Mitsuo Suganuma (Shark Fin Battle) Episode 4818th December 1998 49 Morimoto vs. Jiro Ogue (Turkey Battle) Episode 4925th December 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.