# Morimoto, yet again, reigns as Iron Chef! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 26, 2000, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530 "2000-06-26T03:08:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/1 "2000-06-26T03:08:27Z")
Ok, was it really a big surprise that he was gonna whip Bobby Flay? Who would have thought that the ingredient was going to be Rock Crab? Chairman Kaga rocks. Who else in this world could get away with \*that \*cloak and walk into a room preceeded by costumed footmen tossing yellow bell peppers into the crowd? And, as a final note, Bobby Flay is an obnoxious ass–I know of NO chef who would stand on his cutting board. Feh. He deserved to lose. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/2 "2000-06-26T03:10:31Z")
I think that Morimoto-san should have forced Flay to commit seppuku. Or hara-kiri. Whichever one is worse. ---
**Author:** ![Whammo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Whammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/3 "2000-06-26T03:16:46Z")
AHHHHHH!!! MY EYES!!! HELLO!?!?!?!?!!?? I haven’t seen it yet! GHAAAAhhhh! Now why dont you tell me theres no santa claus!!! 🙂 BTW I _ **LIKE** _ Bobby Flay. ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/4 "2000-06-26T03:32:33Z")
Many apologies, B-Line. Since Iron Chef New York was shown at 9 pm Eastern, I posted right after the show. Go ahead and watch it; it’s worth the time to crash out on the couch and munch on a yellow bell pepper. And, you may like Bobby Flay, but didn’t you know in your heart of hearts that Morimoto \*had \*to win? ---
**Author:** ![Whammo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Whammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/5 "2000-06-26T03:41:39Z")
yeah… well… but _they were in new york!_ He had home court advantage… _pout_ Oh well… I will watch it still! Its only 8:40 here right now! (pacific time) I love that show! ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/6 "2000-06-26T04:51:25Z")
It was everything I’d hoped it would be; just a fun, over the top grin-fest. The “pre-game show” was worth all the anticipation just by itself. Bobby Flay made a total ass of himself. He was pitching one tantrum after another, if you watched closely. But his jumping on top of the chopping board boggled even my mind. I loved, _loved_ Morimoto’s rare and spontaneous disgust. He’s usually so even-tempered. The chick floor commentator was floored when Morimoto just flatly stated that Flay isn’t a chef, then walked away. His point was well taken; knives and chopping surfaces are central, sacred in his words, to chefs. Worse, it wasn’t even a spontaneous gesture of Flay’s. I wondered if he would pop some champagne, etc. at the end and wondered why he was sweeping food off the chopping block. The ass _planned_ that singularly distasteful bit of show-boating! I had a blast watching it, and was happy that the IC’s seemed to enjoy the experience so much, too. Sakai at the CIA was priceless! (Mr. Cynical promised to put anyone in a different time zone through Kobe’s pasta machine if a spoiler was posted. Well, if he’s read this far, I’m salmon head cartilage on a toothpick anyway.) Veb ---
**Author:** ![Wicked\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@Wicked\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wicked_Blue)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/7 "2000-06-26T11:09:01Z")
I was sure Morimoto waould lose when he decided that his first dish would be Crab Brain Dip. Blech. I was glad to see him win though. Rose ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/8 "2000-06-26T11:14:40Z")
I watched this last night as well and am so glad that Flay lost. And I usually root for the challenger. But Flay was just so distasteful. He’s such a :wally. Did you notice how bad his score was. As for the other stuff, I have mixed emotions. It all started out like a big advertisement for the Zagats, but improved much after a while. And I like Gordon Eliot, but he seemed so out-of-place in kitchen stadium. Still, a lot of fun. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![sorrel554](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@sorrel554](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sorrel554)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/9 "2000-06-26T12:48:04Z")
Does anybody read _Time_ magazine? I was at the car wash on Thursday or Friday and was reading the newest issue, which had an article about the Iron Chef battle. I was sure, if it gave away the result, it would say “Spoiler Alert,” or something. Well, it DIDN’T, and it DID give away the ingredient, the winner, and even the electrocution/cut hand problems. The show itself was an anticlimax, but I was able to keep quiet so my boyfriend could enjoy it. For all the planning that seemingly went into it, it didn’t go nearly as smoothly as regular episodes of the Iron Chef, and it was really hard to hear what anyone was saying. I still enjoyed seeing Morimoto beat down Bobby Flay, who was whiny. That taster they pulled from the audience was too funny. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/10 "2000-06-26T13:19:23Z")
D Marie sez: > [@](#): > > \*\* > That taster they pulled from the audience was too funny. > \*\* **Absolutely**! When he said “I feel like I’m floating on a cloud” I almost peed my pants! ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Propski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Guy\_Propski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Propski)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/11 "2000-06-26T13:39:49Z")
I’m sorry, but even though I wanted Flay to lose, I’m convinced that last night’s contest was fixed. Morimoto-san looked lost during his preparation, and was struggling to finish his last dish. I thought his comment about Flay had the tone of a sore loser, especially coupled with all that “winning is just a matter of luck” BS. I hope his sensei sets him straight back in Tokyo. I did enjoy the Iron Chefs at the CIA, and participating in “Door-to-Door Gourmet.” But the kid in the Morimoto outfit was lame. I’ll bet he gets beat up every day at school. ---
**Author:** ![Heloise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e36b37/32.png) [@Heloise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heloise)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/12 "2000-06-26T13:48:42Z")
WOOOHOOO!!! I had been waiting for this for soooo long! As soon as I heard about it. Morimoto ROCKS! Seeing him get angry and go off was just, so. . . hot! What a man! Bobby Flay . . . what a jerk. His whole attitude was irritating. And no grace. _I cut myself! I’m getting electrocuted over here! wahh wahh_ That is something I have always admired with the ICs; winning or losing, they are always gracious. And Bobby really needs to tell his girlfriend to do her roots! (meow) I loved the pre-contest stuff. Sakai! Teach me how to peel an apple like that! And how did they peel potatoes with a butcher knife?! Beautiful. . . ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/13 "2000-06-26T14:54:05Z")
**B\_Line12** said: > [@](#): > > yeah… well… but they were in new york! [Bobby Flay] had home court advantage… _pout_ Actually, they both had home court advantage. Morimoto’s restaurant, Nobu, is there, too. I was hoping that they would choose him. I was hoping for a battle between arguably the two best chefs working in New York right now, and I got it. I loved the pre-battle stuff, too. But did anyone else find Gordon Elliot obnoxiously patronizing on the episode of Doorknock Dinners? He just seemed to me to be the epitome of the “they’ll understand you if you talk louder and in baby talk” school of dealing with non-English speakers. And **Mr. Cynical** , you’ve got to be kidding me about Flay’s girlfriend. But hey, the more guys out there who go for chicks like that, the more quality women there are for the rest of us. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Palimpsest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@Palimpsest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palimpsest)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/14 "2000-06-26T14:54:33Z")
I’ve eaten at Mesa, and I’m convinced that Bobby “Oww, I got booboo on my widdle finger Mommy!” Flay :wally either owns stock in a cilantro company or the feathery touch of the fresh herb gives him a tingly feeling he can’t live without. And he’s such a big crybaby! “Waaaah, I’m being electrocuted!” Morimoto-San wouldn’t have cried about a little jolt, he’d probably use it to cook something in one hand while stirring with the other. He can take me as a spoil of war anytime! Pal “It is beyond my imagination!” ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/15 "2000-06-26T15:02:34Z")
My son will be so thrilled to hear your responses. He’s probably the ONLY person to watch Iron Chef with…his running commentary keeps my eyes watering. “Ah, Flay pauses…he apprears to have forgotten his secret ingredient…Yes! He reaches for the Velveeta and Spaghettios. But look at Morimoto! See how adeptly he minces the peppers…and takes the time to wipe down the cutting board! Genius!” My husband thought it was rigged, but I was glad to see the Iron Chef prevail. I loved the cutting board comment, it ranks right up there with “…And you, sir, are no John F. Kennedy.” I was really disappointed that we didn’t have the clever and imaginative comments from the Americans–“The flavors are dancing in my mouth!” “Mmmmmm! Ooooooh! I think I’m falling in love! Hahahaha!” struuter ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/16 "2000-06-26T15:19:53Z")
Palimpsest- Nice to have you! I really liked the show. I had a party with all of my IC loving friends. Great, postively great. The pregame show was very cool too! How can I ge some Iron Chefs to cook at my house? At least I have wasabi, not like that rich WASP chick they had on the Doorknock dinners thing. I loved the name of the dish- leftover stir-fry! The Americans should have said more cooler comments- “Ohh, at first, I didn’t think IO would like it, but now, I can’t stop!” or “I’m getting hooked on this!” Flay, you will die a dishonorable death. Morimoto-san would have enjoyed the electricution! He would have funneled it into pure Iron Chef Power! ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2000, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/17 "2000-06-26T16:11:55Z")
I thought it was funny at the CIA, when the two Iron Chefs were asked to demonstrate making sushi. I tell ya…they may be good at French and Italian food, but they haven’t had any training at all in making sushi! ---
**Author:** ![Palimpsest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@Palimpsest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palimpsest)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/18 "2000-06-27T11:44:57Z")
Thanks Red\_Dragon, nice to be here! Bobby Flay’s food really isn’t all that great, but to be fair I don’t like southwestern cuisine all that much. Ming Tsai’s place, Blue Ginger, OTOH, is amazing. I live pretty close to it, so we go there a lot. I’d love to see an IC Boston Battle with Chen and Ming Tsai. Pal ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Propski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Guy\_Propski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Propski)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/19 "2000-06-27T13:05:37Z")
There was one comment during the CIA segment that puzzled me. One of the jr. chefs made the comment that it was amazing that the Iron Chefs used knives to bone fish, because “we would use scissors.” Huh? Chef Troy, if you’re out there, back me up. I’ve never seen anyone, from Julia Child to the Two Fat Ladies, use scissors on fish. Maybe to cut off the fins, but that’s about it. The apple peeling contest blew me away. If I tried to use the Iron Chef method, I’d have 5 bloody stumps where my fingers used to be. When you guys watch the show, are you strongly reminded of a Japanese monster movie? The slightly odd choices of words make me think of the bad voiceovers from “Godzilla”: Nar. #1–Oh! Morimoto is quite elegant in his choice of spices. Surely he will prevail! Nar. #2–Indeed! I must agree with your assertations! Nar. #3–Aiiie! Gojira has arrived! We must flee or surely we will be doomed! Nar. #1–Ah! No fear! Gojira is the friend of all Iron Chefs! ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530/20 "2000-06-27T15:16:39Z")
I loved watching Morimoto beat Bobby Flay… he’s a smarmy bastard… I can’t stand him… and the way he was whinig was disgraceful. My wife and I LOVED when Morimoto dissed him. We also love the comments by the japanese tasters… sometimes we’ll mock them… i’ll make something and my wife will say : “I’ve never had… pork … cooked quite this way before… it’s… very good” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morimoto-yet-again-reigns-as-iron-chef/23530.md?page=2)