Sakai vs Kasahara Hiroshi (Rice Cake Battle)

S05 E01 • Friday, Jan 10, 1997 • Jan 10 • 30m

Chen vs Michifude Hiroshi (Dried Scallop Battle)

S05 E02 • Friday, Jan 17, 1997 • Jan 17 • 30m

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 the chairman, while disappointed that the chef of Kochouran permanently quit the business when his restaurant was destroyed, was pleased to find the chef's son as the head chef of Canton Shuka "Ten" in Kobe. Kaga's theme announcement expressed confidence that Kobe was indeed building its "pillars" or foundations firmly after the disaster. The word for "pillar" in Japanese is "hashira". This immediately brings to mind "kai-bashira" (shell-pillars, a common idiom for the adductor muscle of bivalves). But not just any kaibashira - no, they had to be the most prized "kaibashira" in Chinese cuisine - dried scallops, also known as ganbei or conpoy. Judges: Eimoto Takinori (Baseball?), Megumi Oishi (Newscaster), Zaitsu Ichiro (Actor?), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Sakai vs Rory Kennedy (Rabbit Battle)

S05 E03 • Friday, Jan 24, 1997 • Jan 24 • 30m

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 fall in his restaurant.

Sakai vs Rory Kennedy (Pigeon Battle) Overtime

S05 E04 • Friday, Jan 31, 1997 • Jan 31 • 30m

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.

Nakamura vs Morieda Hiroyoshi (Crab Battle)

S05 E05 • Friday, Feb 7, 1997 • Feb 7 • 30m

Chen vs Kou Houkou (Rice Battle)

S05 E06 • Friday, Feb 14, 1997 • Feb 14 • 30m

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

Sakai vs Shimada Tetsuya (Truffle Battle)

S05 E07 • Friday, Feb 21, 1997 • Feb 21 • 30m

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 Sakai fight back the challenge?

Nakamura vs Yamazaki Tateo (Nattou Battle)

S05 E08 • Friday, Feb 28, 1997 • Feb 28 • 30m

Sakai vs Jyo Etsuo (Wine Battle)

S05 E09 • Friday, Mar 7, 1997 • Mar 7 • 30m

Chen vs Wakiya Yuji (Papaya Battle)

S05 E10 • Friday, Mar 14, 1997 • Mar 14 • 30m

Nakamura vs Mera Takashi (Seaweed Battle)

S05 E11 • Friday, Mar 21, 1997 • Mar 21 • 30m

Sakai vs Kitami Hiroyuki (Honey Battle)

S05 E12 • Friday, Mar 28, 1997 • Mar 28 • 30m

Nakamura vs You Koukan (Hanami Festival)

S05 E13 • Friday, Apr 11, 1997 • Apr 11 • 30m

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 tasting area is set up outside under the Sakura. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Asano Yuko, Eiji Bando, Masumi Okada, Asako Kishi

Sakai vs Okumura Shinzou (Bamboo Shoot Battle)

S05 E14 • Friday, Apr 18, 1997 • Apr 18 • 30m

Chen vs Ootsuki Chihiro (Tomato Battle)

S05 E15 • Friday, Apr 25, 1997 • Apr 25 • 30m

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)

Sakai vs Sasaki Kiyoyasu (Perch Battle)

S05 E16 • Friday, May 2, 1997 • May 2 • 30m

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 (??), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Nakamura vs Azumaya Norio (Pork Battle)

S05 E17 • Friday, May 9, 1997 • May 9 • 30m

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

Nakamura vs Jillian Harst (Ostrich Battle)

S05 E18 • Friday, May 16, 1997 • May 16 • 30m

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 restaurant. She wants the world to know that Australian cooking is more than just prawns on the barbecue and beer in the hand. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Chizuru Azuma, Masaki Kanda, Asako Kishi

Chen vs Takagi Masao (Duck's Egg Battle)

S05 E19 • Friday, May 23, 1997 • May 23 • 30m

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 training at the age of 15. He feels he is the best Japanese Shanghai style chef. What better ingredient for competing styles of Chinese cuisine than the Chinese delicacy Pitan (thousand-year egg)? Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Lisa Junna, Chai Ran, Joji Yamamoto

Sakai vs Germano Orsara (Ham Battle)

S05 E20 • Friday, May 30, 1997 • May 30 • 30m

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 Kishi (Critic)

Nakamura vs Sakane Hisahito (Sea Eel Battle)

S05 E21 • Friday, Jun 6, 1997 • Jun 6 • 30m

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

Kobe vs Hagiwara Masahiko (Pasta Battle)

S05 E22 • Friday, Jun 13, 1997 • Jun 13 • 30m

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

Sakai vs Sato Norio (Amberjack - Kampachi Battle)

S05 E23 • Friday, Jun 20, 1997 • Jun 20 • 30m

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, Kunihiko Mitamura, Asako Kishi

Chen vs Syu Kenchu (Akahata - Grouper Battle)

S05 E24 • Friday, Jun 27, 1997 • Jun 27 • 30m

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

Nakamura vs Kashima Masami (Prawn Battle)

S05 E25 • Friday, Jul 4, 1997 • Jul 4 • 30m

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

Sakai vs Ishikawa Toshiyuki (Sea Urchin Battle)

S05 E26 • Friday, Jul 11, 1997 • Jul 11 • 30m

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, Megumi Oishi, Yasosuke Bando, Asako Kishi

Chen vs Matsuno Yoshikazu (Mantis Shrimp - Shako Battle)

S05 E27 • Friday, Jul 18, 1997 • Jul 18 • 30m

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, Kayoko Kishimoto, Ichiro Zaitsu, Asako Kishi

Kobe vs Stephan Tabacchi (Cabbage Battle)

S05 E28 • Friday, Jul 25, 1997 • Jul 25 • 30m

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 has cooked for many famous celebrities. He began cooking at age 13. He headed the kitchen at a hotel restaurant in Italy before leaving to head a restaurant in Japan. He arrived in Japan just two months before this battle. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Hitomi Takahashi (Actress), Sunplaza Nakano (Musician), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Sakai vs Toyoshima Seiji (Milk Battle)

S05 E29 • Friday, Aug 1, 1997 • Aug 1 • 30m

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 their first challenger to Kitchen Stadium. We will have the theme ingredient again that was used by the chairman Miyamoto. Milk is the theme and the Chairman arranges for two cows to be brought into Kitchen Stadium so the chefs can have the freshest possible theme ingredient. Judges: Takenori Emoto, Naomi Kawashima, Takao Horiuchi, Asako Kishi

Nakamura Chin vs Sakai Kobe (Watermelon Battle)

S05 E30 • Friday, Aug 8, 1997 • Aug 8 • 30m

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 choose for a dream tag match? That summer fruit. Watermelon. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Keiko Saito, Tatuo Meidaka, Asako Kishi

Chen vs Souseiko Kawaguchi (Eggplant Battle)

S05 E31 • Friday, Aug 15, 1997 • Aug 15 • 30m

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 vs. Sotetsu Fujii in the Yam Battle Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Harumi Inoue, Kotaro Satomi, Asako Kishi

Sakai vs Androsoni Pietro (Melon Battle)

S05 E32 • Friday, Aug 22, 1997 • Aug 22 • 30m

Nakamura vs Kojima Koten (Potato Battle)

S05 E33 • Friday, Aug 29, 1997 • Aug 29 • 30m

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

Nakamura vs Kojima Koten (Flatfish Battle) Overtime

S05 E34 • Friday, Sep 5, 1997 • Sep 5 • 30m

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, Hiroko Moriguchi, Gitan Ootsuru, Yoshiko Ishii

Sakai vs Nakajima Toshiyuki (Cow's Cheek Battle)

S05 E35 • Friday, Sep 12, 1997 • Sep 12 • 30m

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 Toshiyuki Nakajima takes on Iron Chef Sakai in Battle Beef Cheek. To add to the tension, apparently Sakai’s restaurant is not far from the challenger’s.

Chen vs Igarashi Miyuki (Cucumber Battle)

S05 E36 • Friday, Sep 26, 1997 • Sep 26 • 30m

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 kitchen that she eventually took over. She feels that a chef’s job is more important than that of a doctor. Once again, Chen is called upon to take on a female challenger.

Kobe vs Imai Fujio (Matsutake Battle)

S05 E37 • Friday, Oct 3, 1997 • Oct 3 • 30m

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 on the theme ingredient for these young chefs. (That’s a little over $12,000 now, about $8,200 back then.)

1997 World Cup

S05 E38 • Friday, Oct 10, 1997 • Oct 10 • 30m

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.

Chen vs Nagasaka Matsuo (Spareribs Battle)

S05 E39 • Friday, Oct 17, 1997 • Oct 17 • 30m

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

Sakai vs Goto Masashi (Prawn Battle)

S05 E40 • Friday, Oct 24, 1997 • Oct 24 • 30m

Kobe vs Seki Yuji (Chestnut Battle)

S05 E41 • Friday, Oct 31, 1997 • Oct 31 • 30m

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

Nakamura vs Azuma Keiji (Lamb Battle)

S05 E42 • Friday, Nov 14, 1997 • Nov 14 • 30m

Chen vs Matsushima Toru (Crab Battle)

S05 E43 • Friday, Nov 21, 1997 • Nov 21 • 30m

Kobe vs Takahashi Kazunari (Milt Battle)

S05 E44 • Friday, Nov 28, 1997 • Nov 28 • 30m

Kobe vs Takahashi Kazunari (Shrimp Battle) Over Time

S05 E45 • Friday, Dec 5, 1997 • Dec 5 • 30m

Nakamura vs Moris Guilett (Scallop Battle)

S05 E46 • Friday, Dec 12, 1997 • Dec 12 • 30m

Kobe vs Takagi Yasumasa (Strawberry Battle)

S05 E47 • Friday, Dec 19, 1997 • Dec 19 • 30m

Nakamura vs Kandagawa Toshiro (Bony Parts Battle)

S05 E48 • Friday, Dec 26, 1997 • Dec 26 • 30m