There's an episode in ICJ where Chen talks about always thinking about his customers when he cooks. The revelation that he adjusted the spicy-ness of each dish he served on a plate-by-plate basis based on which plate was going to who is just astounding. That's a true cook right there.
Glad to see a fellow Iron Chef fan. I miss the show, but it was destined to be cancelled. 1. Food costs. While basic vegetables and meat are cheap, foie gras, swallow's nest, and other items cost thousands for just one taping. 2. In Japanese culture, they deliberately cancel shows at highest popularity to maintain status. Unlike American culture where shows continue and decline, Fuji TV wanted go out on top. 3. Schedules. Besides the show, the Iron Chefs own busy restaurants. Allez cuisine!
Chen's so humble, saying he won so much mainly because he adjusted taste to what he knew the judges (which varied but tend to be from a small pool) which is something challengers couldn't do.
I love these guys. This show was so good. I would watch it every day if it was on. Now I watch on UA-cam, even if I saw it already. I just love them. Chen lost some weight! They both look good. I was so sorry to hear about Kobe's accident and passing. What a shame. He will always be remembered. This interview means the world. Thank you for sharing. I really mean it.
Sakai says he thought the show would end in April (1994). It started in October 1993, so I'm guessing the show was originally only planned to have a six-month run? That's bizarre considering it went on to run for seven years!
Such lovely men. Watching the old show now and i just live. Honestly i cant tell who i loved more. I will say that i loved when Kobe was challenged may he rest in piece. I think he was my fave as a kid.
Both the Challenger and the Iron Chef were told 3 or 4 different possibilities of what might be the secret ingredient a few weeks ahead of time. This gave them the opportunity to develop ideas without being completely taken off guard...
Man the OG Iron chefs were the reason I love cooking. My first ever dish I made was fried eggs and hot dogs when I was 8. From then on my cooking repertoire expanded.
If anyone says that Iron Chef wasn't the blueprint for the reality cooking competitions shows we know by now ( MasterChef, Top Chef, Chopped, you name it.....even Iron Chef America ), they have no idea of the importance that show accomplished. When the show ended its 6 year run 25 years ago, there were 7. Masahiko Kobe died 5 years ago in a tragic accident, and now Chen Kenichi is gone. He died 1 1/2 years ago in March 2023, the Szechuan Sage, the Son of the God of Szechuan cooking Chen Kenmin and mother Chen Yoko, both passed away during Chen's six years on IC, and I'm sure his sons, Chen Kentaro and Chen Yohei will continue their father's cooking legacy. I wonder if Hiroyuki Sakai is still alive, as well as the others? I'm glad this video is still holding up after almost 15 years, and even though PlutoTV did have a dedicated channel to Iron Chef, it's not on the " Live TV " lineup, but ALL the episodes are available " On Demand ", so we can relieve this incredible series over and over again. We salute you Chen Kenichi, woks and all!
In comparison Iron Chef America SUCKS! It is a bastardization of how genius these men are. Thanks to who posted this. I'd love to cook against them BUT,,,my dream job,,, An Iron Chef Judge. I'd be terrible either way but just love to try their innovations. Seriously. How does any one judge them?
I remember watching the first episode of Iron Chef America, when the food critic asked the public to think of him as Dr. Hattori's equivalent. And in the next sentence he started questioning Dr. Hattori's credentials. That's when they lost me
Productions costs are paid through syndication of the show into perpetuity. I believe Iron Chef was cancelled because guests chefs wanted a bigger cut.
Chen Kenichi is actually a half Chinese and half Japanese chef, his father is Chinese but his mother is Japanese. Chen Kenichi's father is a native Chinese from Yibin, Sichuan who migrated to Japan in the year of 1952. Source:en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen_Kenmin
@pys22 Well, technically it's correct. Kenichi is his first name and Chen his last. The English version of the show kept his name order unchanged from the original Japanese probably because it's just easier to say Chen Kenichi.
For some reason Kenichi Chen reminds me of Anthony Wong Chau-Sang (Bunta in the Initial D movie) :| Iron Chef, entertaining, hilarious, interesting, exciting.
While it was cool when they brought it to America I feel that the being an Iron chef now is not as impressive especially after I got my culinary degree. Out of all the ones we had only Michal Simon really stood out. Bobby is good and all but as the first competitive chef I feel his skills are a little over blown. When it comes to ICA I would watch Morimoto and Simon any day. But these guys are something else. I feel like I learn something every time I watch them.
Booby Flay's record on Iron chef Japan is 1-1 Morimoto beat him in the New York battle then Flay beat Morimoto in Japan in the twenty first century battle
Sometimes I had the feeling that the judges were biased against Western opponents (French, Italians) because that's the human nature I guess, you root for your own kind....but EPIC show nonetheless, IRON CHEF Japan is the best there is, the best there ever will be, the drama is unfathomable.......They need a series redux on this one, this time, younger Iron Chefs
![[ENG SUB] How to Make the Ultimate Mapo Tofu | The Iron Chef Chen Kenichi](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1adosX3moP8/mqdefault.jpg)
![[ENG SUB] How to Make the Ultimate Mapo Tofu | The Iron Chef Chen Kenichi](/img/tr.png)
Both are my fave iron chefs! Still watching the episodes on youtube. RIP Chen 😢
Me too. I was sad when I found out Chen died earlier this year.
Good to review this video after so many years later, RIP for Kenichi
There's an episode in ICJ where Chen talks about always thinking about his customers when he cooks. The revelation that he adjusted the spicy-ness of each dish he served on a plate-by-plate basis based on which plate was going to who is just astounding. That's a true cook right there.
Anime is real! T^T
These two were my favorite in the show.
It's strangely satisfying seeing these two being down to earth and laughing at themselves...
Wow for 71 years old, Sakai looks great!
Glad to see a fellow Iron Chef fan. I miss the show, but it was destined to be cancelled.
1. Food costs. While basic vegetables and meat are cheap, foie gras, swallow's nest, and other items cost thousands for just one taping.
2. In Japanese culture, they deliberately cancel shows at highest popularity to maintain status. Unlike American culture where shows continue and decline, Fuji TV wanted go out on top.
3. Schedules. Besides the show, the Iron Chefs own busy restaurants.
Allez cuisine!
坂井さんの料理、盛り付けキレイだしどんな味するのか食べてみたい。
陳さんの四川料理、旨辛でいかにも美味しそう。一度食べて見たかったです。天国でゆっくり休んでください。
お二人は仲良さそうで視聴者として見てて楽しいものでしたが、もう見られないのは本当に残念です。
Sakai is an Iron Chef legend! He arguably has the best winning record of them all!
Rokusaburo Michiba is an Iron Chef legend for sure but I respect Sakai and Kenichi as well..
actually i believe that roksuaburo michiba has the best winning percentage technically but not nearly as many wins
Heck Sakai San even became king of the iron chefs in the finale of the shows run.
Chen Kenichi's easy-going nature and tolerance of loss is a part of his Chinese spirit!
One of my all time favorites. Chen is the man.
Bring back Iron Chef, with Sakai and Kenichi as anchor chefs.
The show shouldn't have been cancelled to begin with.
they run out of budget haha
It's nice to see these two are still good friends.
Sakai and Chen were my favorites on the show.
料理の鉄人の番組開始から終了まで中華の鉄人の座を守り続けてきた陳建一氏（本名=東建一氏）が３月11日に間質性肺炎により67歳にて御逝去なされました。
謹んで追悼の意を申し上げます📿。
実は料理の鉄人の時に。
坂井さんは、もう辞めたいと思った事があったそうです。
それを、陳さんに相談したそうなのですが。
坂井さんが辞める時は、自分も辞める時だから。もう少しやってみませんか？
と、引き留めたそうです。
歳の差を越えて、本当にお二人は素敵なお友達なのですね‼
legends.. this inspire me to cook for my kids today.. love that show, never miss a single night watching it in local tv in philippines
Chen's so humble, saying he won so much mainly because he adjusted taste to what he knew the judges (which varied but tend to be from a small pool) which is something challengers couldn't do.
hands down the 2 greatest of the iron chefs
仲良しだね。楽しく生きる…喜怒哀楽を味わいながら、料理に活かす2人、お互いに共感たくさんあるのね。
やはり鉄人ですね😅
I've always had the biggest crush on chen :)
+Blue Rose he's one year older than my dad, lol.
I wish i know Sakai one day he is the WORLD´S BEST MASTER CHEF in my opinion. So many knowledge in just one person is incredible.
I know right. I'm always cheering for chef sakai. Personally my favorite and just looks like a cool dude to chill with.
Nice to see that this video is still up after twelve years. Ty OP for keeping this on UA-cam. RIP Szechuan Sage... o7
陳さんが云ってたけど、作る方も食べる方も楽しく幸せなのがベストだよね。
i love seeing these two together they really enjoy each others company
How cute are these two, love Iron Chef Japan!
I love these guys. This show was so good. I would watch it every day if it was on. Now I watch on UA-cam, even if I saw it already. I just love them. Chen lost some weight! They both look good. I was so sorry to hear about Kobe's accident and passing. What a shame. He will always be remembered. This interview means the world. Thank you for sharing. I really mean it.
This show is played 24/7 on Pluto TV in case you didn't know.
坂井シェフと陳さんのコンビはとてもうらやましい関係ですね。お二方のような素敵な人間には、僕は到底なれないですねぇ（汗）
RIP Chen. Even though I was more of a Sakai fan his dishes and battles were always entertaining
RIP Chen Kenichi
Sakai says he thought the show would end in April (1994). It started in October 1993, so I'm guessing the show was originally only planned to have a six-month run? That's bizarre considering it went on to run for seven years!
Such lovely men. Watching the old show now and i just live. Honestly i cant tell who i loved more. I will say that i loved when Kobe was challenged may he rest in piece. I think he was my fave as a kid.
坂井さんと陳さん、歳離れてるけど仲良いんだよね。
Both the Challenger and the Iron Chef were told 3 or 4 different possibilities of what might be the secret ingredient a few weeks ahead of time. This gave them the opportunity to develop ideas without being completely taken off guard...
Chen Kenichi does speak great Mandarin Chinese though, I've seen interviews from when he visits Taiwan
Legends!
These two chefs are my heroes and what drives me to improve my skills as a chef in the kitchen!
I have great respect and admiration for these gentlemen.
I love these guys, thanks for building the show to such a success it is today :)
man i miss this show so much!!!
Man the OG Iron chefs were the reason I love cooking. My first ever dish I made was fried eggs and hot dogs when I was 8. From then on my cooking repertoire expanded.
It's such a relief hearing their actual voices. The dubbed voices on the show made them appear aloof and cartoony.
I like them both. Man alive! Those translators were hilarious!
These 2 have always been my favorite chefs!!! I'd eat anything they cooked! And I just knew they were really nice guys before I watched this
The Lebron James and Michael Jordan of Culinary Arts!
I remember when I used to watch Iron Chef in highschool and was really into Japanese food. It took me a while to realize Kenichi is a god among men.
The difference being I would actually pay for Chen's or Sakai's product...
love this guys and the show , gave us a real big insight into japanese cusine! Legends!
If anyone says that Iron Chef wasn't the blueprint for the reality cooking competitions shows we know by now ( MasterChef, Top Chef, Chopped, you name it.....even Iron Chef America ), they have no idea of the importance that show accomplished. When the show ended its 6 year run 25 years ago, there were 7. Masahiko Kobe died 5 years ago in a tragic accident, and now Chen Kenichi is gone. He died 1 1/2 years ago in March 2023, the Szechuan Sage, the Son of the God of Szechuan cooking Chen Kenmin and mother Chen Yoko, both passed away during Chen's six years on IC, and I'm sure his sons, Chen Kentaro and Chen Yohei will continue their father's cooking legacy. I wonder if Hiroyuki Sakai is still alive, as well as the others? I'm glad this video is still holding up after almost 15 years, and even though PlutoTV did have a dedicated channel to Iron Chef, it's not on the " Live TV " lineup, but ALL the episodes are available " On Demand ", so we can relieve this incredible series over and over again. We salute you Chen Kenichi, woks and all!
In comparison Iron Chef America SUCKS! It is a bastardization of how genius these men are. Thanks to who posted this. I'd love to cook against them BUT,,,my dream job,,, An Iron Chef Judge. I'd be terrible either way but just love to try their innovations. Seriously. How does any one judge them?
I remember watching the first episode of Iron Chef America, when the food critic asked the public to think of him as Dr. Hattori's equivalent. And in the next sentence he started questioning Dr. Hattori's credentials. That's when they lost me
@@mcerdas I liked Iron Chef America but Iron Chef USA with Willam Shatner was really bad and made a total mockery of the original iron chef show
Love all the Iron chefs but Sakai was always my fave. He just seems like a really cool, fun person.
Wow... That was so cool. Thanks so much for posting that. I love that show.
Productions costs are paid through syndication of the show into perpetuity.
I believe Iron Chef was cancelled because guests chefs wanted a bigger cut.
Chen Kenichi is actually a half Chinese and half Japanese chef, his father is Chinese but his mother is Japanese. Chen Kenichi's father is a native Chinese from Yibin, Sichuan who migrated to Japan in the year of 1952.
Source:en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen_Kenmin
Yeah. Sakai remained unchanged. I want to see what Michiba is up to nowadays x__x
He is still active in culinary industry with his michiba shunsara located in ginza
Chef Michiba's 90 years old and is still strong as an ox!
Sakai was always my favorite. He is hysterical. His favorite phrase? Gimme a break!
RIP Chen Kenichi :(
What I read was it was meant to be like cooking/comedy mix! That's why it sounds funny when they use cool techniques or just an all flame wok action!
Iron Chef currently has its own free channel on Pluto TV 👍🏻
RIP Chen, taken way too soon
Love them so much!!
chen is my favorite :)
Sad for Sakai now that his Best Friend has passed away
Somehow I expected them to be dubbed over by campy voice overs (one of the appeals why it was so popular back then.)
I always wanted to know exactly when the chefs find out what the secret ingredient was
Cool they've even been to Tassie that's pretty cool.
My 2 faves
awwwwwwwwwww love them!
My favourite Japan Iron chefs:
1. Rokusaburo Michiba
2. Koumei Nakamura
3. Chen Kenichi
4. Yutaka Ishinabe
5. Hiroyuki Sakai
6. Masaharu Morimoto
7. Masahiko Kobe
Ofcourse Iron Chef Michiba should be number 1, what I'm surprise on him he will write his menu then cook
omg they're so cute!!
2010, they haven't aged a bit!
@pys22
Well, technically it's correct. Kenichi is his first name and Chen his last. The English version of the show kept his name order unchanged from the original Japanese probably because it's just easier to say Chen Kenichi.
The new Iron Chef (Japan) is very good. I suggest y'all check it out.
For some reason Kenichi Chen reminds me of Anthony Wong Chau-Sang (Bunta in the Initial D movie) :| Iron Chef, entertaining, hilarious, interesting, exciting.
NEW IRON CHEF JAPAN AIRS THIS MONTH!
Flay/Morimoto (sp?) vs Chen/Sakai - Give it to me now.
Awesome
I love chef sakai, these two chefs had me laughing and are great people. I love the show.
they both look a lot older now.
Sakai is now 70 years old. Chen is 56 years old.
...Chen "Not by many years"
really xD
SO. COOL.
Where are the new episodes ? I can't find them anywhere on youtube
Still alive and kicking bro. c:
They're so funny :)
He's only 80...
While it was cool when they brought it to America I feel that the being an Iron chef now is not as impressive especially after I got my culinary degree. Out of all the ones we had only Michal Simon really stood out. Bobby is good and all but as the first competitive chef I feel his skills are a little over blown. When it comes to ICA I would watch Morimoto and Simon any day. But these guys are something else. I feel like I learn something every time I watch them.
Booby Flay's record on Iron chef Japan is 1-1 Morimoto beat him in the New York battle then Flay beat Morimoto in Japan in the twenty first century battle
Show some fucking respect.
where was his resturant? i really want to go !! lol
wow they both got old so much
Those are my homies although they don’t know it! Hehe
👍😃🕊
Wow just looked up. Seems like everyone who down voted you must be either stuck in nostalgia or in denial.
Sometimes I had the feeling that the judges were biased against Western opponents (French, Italians) because that's the human nature I guess, you root for your own kind....but EPIC show nonetheless, IRON CHEF Japan is the best there is, the best there ever will be, the drama is unfathomable.......They need a series redux on this one, this time, younger Iron Chefs
wow I never thought chen spoke English but he seems to do so at toward the end of the interview I wonder how much English he knows
Oh man, what is up with that awful limiting in the audio. The volume goes up and down, which is way sad considering these awesome men.
Yes he speaks english very well lol
Chen is actually Chinese but learned how to speak Japanese?
The dons.