If you care about knowing why Chairman Kaga's voice was subtitled, while everyone else was dubbed, this is the book for you.

If you want to know which Iron Chef talked Chen Kinichi out of walking away from the show, this book is for you.

If you're an Iron Chef fanatic, this book is for you.

If you're an aspiring chef or casual viewer, this probably isn't the right book for you.


Top entertainment, ok book   October 25, 2006
Pei Kang (NYC, USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Iron Chef is the most ingenious TV show ever created, well, the REAL original IC show, at any rate.

The over-the top cheesy quality, the bad-English dubbing, the dumb air-head actresses(who sometimes come up with surprising smart comments); the exotic ingredients, and of course--the challenges. The stuff that no normal person would ever cook, or dream of touching on his dinner plate.
The combination of sports arena quality and the sideshow of Prices Right, equals=valuable hours of your life spent on watching TV!

the book is very in depth, though not quite a "cook" book, the only true thing it lacks it the statistical point. Who won the battles, etc.

I am very disappointed in Food Network for not continuing to buy more Iron Chef shows and or continuing to show the reruns; and not to make them into DVDs....instead they're being despots and forcing us to watch that horrible horrible horrible mutant child that came out of that so called "chef".
Yet again, an original anime/comedy/whatever show is ruined...just like how they mangled Godzilla. the "Other Thing" show lacks the corny flavor, the second commentator (Fuki-San was awesome), the REAL chairman, a REAL Chef, REAL ingredients; Fun challengers, (ok, Ming Tsai was funny, but that's it);my respect for Ming grew after watching that only good episode...he was funny, relaxed, self-assured and he kicked Flay's butt!!
awful musical score (sure the soundtrack of the ONLY incarnation of IC was from.....movie, Backdraft), pathetic judges (they ALL annoy me, for some reason).

watching the "OTher Thing" gives me a stomach ache, a headache....and I keep rambling.

SCOUR THE EARTH for lost videos/tapes/bootlegs of the ONLY IRON CHEF. If you're a true fan, don't even bother watching "Other Thing".

"If my memory serves me correctly....this book will give me recollections of funny and good times."

+150 on the Wow meter for the show, 6+ for the book;
-100 on the Puke-O-Meter for "the Other Thing"


Iron Chef Excitement   May 12, 2001
Beauty Hall (Seattle, WA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

My husband has been waiting for this book to come out, and we just got a copy. It's great, lots of photos and recipes. Our favorite part was the behind-the-scenes stuff. I never realized the pressure that is on each Iron Chef, and their challengers. It's funny to us, but to them, it is their reputations on the line each and every show. What fun!


A Magnificent Book for Fans   September 9, 2005
Scott Armstrong
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

If you have ever had anything more than a passing interest with Iron Chef before, this is certainly a book worth picking up. The book itself is packed with gorgeous photos, plenty of interviews, and a staggering amount of information about the show itself, particular episodes, and even recipes. Granted, most people won't necessarily be using this book as a typical cookbook, but the added recipes just feel like a bonus on top of an already excellent book.

All in all, I was delightfully satisfied with this gem. Also, if you're looking for a bargain and are not sure about the book itself as far as quality is concerned, I highly suggest taking a look at the Used section here at Amazon. I picked up my copy that way for a fantastic $1.98 last year for pristine quality and even now the prices for the Used copies are in the same ballpark.


If Memory Serves Me Right   May 11, 2001
Anton Strout (New York, NY)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This book has it all... behind-the-scenes interviews, some of the recipes (we knew no one could write down ALL the ingredients as the went!)and a detailed history of all the chefs... this is the kind of information that I've been looking for! The photos are vibrant and give a real feel of artistry to the dishes and presentation of the characters we have all come to know and love on the show. I can't wait to try and recreate some of these recipes at home!