Bottom Chef

Which Iron Chef do you prefer? By far I prefer the Japanese to the American. It was the foundation and was perfect. The American version is just a cheap knockoff.

Almondjoy

I prefer the origional Japanese to the American. I've never been a fan of knock offs. Usually, the origional is impossible to match. They only try to so they can reap the fame of the name.

I also find the dishes in the Japanese show more exotic than the American version. It makes it more interesting to watch.

munchkin

I also enjoy the Japanese version better. I sometimes watch the American version but I don't think it is even close to being as good as the Japanese version. I always seem to enjoy original versions better then knockoff versions.

Pecan camu

I prefer the Japanese version of Iron Chef because I enjoyed observing the mastery of Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai. Plus the English voice over dubbing was very enjoyable. How come the Food Network does not have an Iron Chef Europe?

kycooksalot

I like them both, but I actually enjoy Iron Chef America more. I just love Bobby Flay and when he's there I'm watching. I just like the way they cook so fast and only have a certain amount of time to get finished. It seems to give more action to what would normally be a calm thing to do.

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~kycooksalot~

gypsy

I like them both equally! The Japanese version was extremely interesting, but they used a lot of strange ingredients and it was very difficult, if not impossible at times, to puzzle out what they were creating, or to have a mental idea of what it might taste like. Some of the dishes I found intriguing and would have liked to taste them, but others were a real hoot - like the fish ice cream and the Kobe beef 'desserts'.

I find that the American version is just as entertaining, especially when the Iron Chef being challenged is Bobby Flay. It seems that Bobby can't operate in a kitchen without either cutting himself seriously, setting fire to something, charring the inside of a pan, or nearly electrocuting himself - even while he's creating one of his masterpieces. I find the commentary on the American version makes a heck of a lot more sense than the Japanese version, and at least while watching the American chefs cook, I can visualize what the food might taste like much better than I can with the Japanese version.

What's my idea of a great Iron Chef America? To see Emeril Lagasse going head-to-head with Morimoto -- or Paula Deen vs. Cat Cora. Now THOSE would be shows to watch!

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potlucklady

Its the Japanese version for me or nothing. While its cute they made an American version with people we all recognize its just a pale comparison. I adored that I would have no idea what the dishes might taste like and the dubbing of whatever model they had tasting was always wonderful. They said the dumbest things.