Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi has been on the show from the very beginning and is the only original Iron Chef remaining. He was born in Tokyo, where his father, Chen Kenmin, was an acclaimed Chinese chef well known for his sauces. Chen Kenmin is credited with introducing Szechwan cooking to Japan, and also with creating the much loved dish Shrimp in Chili Sauce. Chen Kenichi inherited his father's style of "Japanese-Szechwan" cooking and also his flair for sauces.

After attending Tamagawa University, Kenichi apprenticed in Shisen Hanten. He continued to develop his Szechwan cooking, which is considered among the most progressive cuisines in the world. Currently, he is responsible for running the Shisen Hanten group, which has restaurants in Akasaka (where Chen cooks), Ikebukuro, Kisarazu, Hiroshima and Ogura.

Because real Szechwan cooking is too spicy for many Japanese palates, Kenichi has refined many of the classic dishes to make them more accessible for diners in his restaurants. With his good-humored, expressive face, Kenichi promotes the philosophy "Cooking is love" and he offers happiness through his food.