Food is great! You can create your own order and service is fast and ambiance is good.

Pepper Lunch is a distinguished dining franchise popular throughout Asia, and while the original taste and ingredients of its branches in Asia are hard to match, the experience and value offered by this establishment are commendable. In the spirit of evaluating business ventures, as someone involved in foreign private equity investments, I find that Pepper Lunch provides a unique blend of quality and service that stands out in the American dining scene. The lack of intrusive service, exemplified by the absence of waiters clamoring for tips, elevates the dining experience, emphasizing customer comfort and satisfaction. Founded in Japan in 1994 by chef and inventor Kunio Ichinose, Pepper Lunch was designed with a fast-serviced "fast-steak" concept at its core. The idea was to provide quick, efficient service without sacrificing the quality of hot meals. This innovation is centered around a patented electromagnetic cooker that allows meals to be cooked at the table, maintaining the freshness and flavor of the ingredients. The DIY aspect of cooking your meat how and when you want at your table is not only entertaining but also ensures that each bite is as hot and fresh as possible. As the franchise expanded, it retained its focus on high-quality, affordable steak and other hot dishes served on its signature sizzling teppan. The brand's expansion into international markets, including the bustling food scenes of Southeast Asia and beyond, has been met with enthusiasm, thanks to its novel approach to dining. This expansion reflects a broader trend in consumer preferences towards dining experiences that offer both novelty and nostalgia, a combination that Pepper Lunch has successfully harnessed to captivate a global audience. Would like to see more locations open up in and around California, as well as metropolitan cities like New York. Will be discussing at next board meeting the idea of taking a large stake in this private holding. Pepper Lunch currently operates five locations in the United States. These are located in Irvine, Artesia, and Alhambra in California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Houston, Texas. The company has ambitious plans for expansion, aiming to open 100 locations across North America by 2026. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

I've always wanted to this place, but there was always a ridiculous wait before covid. They offer like three tables for dine in right now and about six outside first come first grab patio seating with The Kicking Crab. You have to get a friend to save a spot if you are dining in. Service is overeager at counter before you pay and nonexistent after you pay, prepare for this I got the eel pepper rice with double eel. I like spicy, but the pepper was too overpowering. The eel came on a sizzling plate, but the eel was not cooked well. They have a garlic sauce and sweet sauce which really balances out the rice dishes. I think I saw an egg somewhere on my plate too, but like this sentence it was an afterthought. My friend got the teriyaki salmon. It was the saddest thing ever. Their fish portion is about 2-3oz. Overcooked, dry even with sauce. I do like that they serve their curry and teriyaki sauce on the side in a stainless steel gravy boat. I don't think their menu transitions well for take-out, especially if you live more than 10-15 mins away. I heard they curry beef and chicken karrrage are the more popular dishes. Best things about this visit: I love their sweet potatoes wedges. I would come back just for two orders of those next time. Sekka rice is better than jasmine rice I've been missing out! Overall, I took off one star because as I'm writing this review I'm having a salt attack from dinner tonight read more

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The food was delicious, and the service was awesome. We got the beef and it was really good, definitely recommend. Thank you T!

Such a great experience at this location. The food is great and I always crave it after I leave. The food quality is exceptional I recommend the beef and adding kimchi to it. Additionally the staff is super nice and attentive to all the customers. They are also very knowledgable on the food and give great recommendations. read more

Fair warning--you have to bring your patience to dine at this joint. Here's why: Firstly, the line can get long. It moves rather quickly when people ahead of you know what they want BEFORE reaching the order counter. Be kind and review the menu ahead. Secondly, the iron plates they serve are hot! How hot? Well, According to the warning on the table numbers--260* Celsius! So Don't come here mad hungry, ready to devour your order immediately after it's delivered to your table. You will burn yourself. Your tongue and the roof your mouth will thank you if you just simply take a few minutes to take in the sights and sounds of the sizzling meat before you dig in. Seating options: There is limited indoor seating that can leave you feeling crammed like sardines and a larger outdoor dining area. If you have a preference, let them know when you order. Unless you like a face full of steamy meat from your food, opt to dine outside. Haha. Portions: Portions here are meager, by American standards. If you're a hearty eater, I highly recommend ordering double meat. Keep in mind that a single order portion is like what you'd likely see in Japan, where this chain originates. Yelp perk: Check in on Yelp and show the order counter for a free side! I got onion rings so I could try dipping them in my curry--yeah I know I'm weird that way. No point in me detailing what I ordered here. It was hot and it was good. You can check my pics and videos for those deets. Basically you can't go wrong with any of the hot plated meats served here. Just order a double portion or, if you're bold enough, 2 different plates for variety and you'll be golden. Cheers! read more

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delicious, fresh, and HOT!!! If you're in the area pepper lunch is a MUST try for anyone who wants to try something new and delicious. The service was very friendly and fast! The vibes inside were chill and made us feel welcomed. We are delighted and will be coming back for MORE read more

Pepper Lunch - Classic Beef Pepper Rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

I have been seeing posts about Pepper Lunch on my social media feed for some time now. It is located in Diamond Jamboree Plaza, next to the Kickin' Crab. Although it was my first time there, the place felt welcoming and familiar. The restaurant is small compared to others in the area, but it's perfect for a quick lunch. At Pepper Lunch, customers order their food at the counter and the staff bring it out to their table. Since it was my first time, I ordered their most popular item, the Classic Beef Pepper Rice. It came out on a hot skillet with a paper ring around the plate to prevent any oil splatters. At first, the food was a bit underwhelming, but the condiments added more flavor. I was expecting a Korean Bulgogi flavor, but that's just my personal bias. The service was great, and the workers explained each menu item with enthusiasm. They even tried to upsell me on their promotional items, but I kindly declined since I had my heart set on the Classic Beef Pepper Rice. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would definitely go back in the near future. read more

The menu is small, but love the variety it has and being able to customize your food. The line was pretty long, but goes by quickly since you place your order up front and then sit down. There is a big parking lot, but difficult to find parking during lunch and dinner hours. I got the jumbo pepper rice and added an egg to it. Really flavorful and you can add sauces (garlic and sweet) to your liking. Would definitely come again to try their other items! read more

Pepper Lunch - Jumbo Beef Pepper Rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Man I was so close to updating my review to 5 stars. I ordered delivery via DoorDash one evening. I upsized the meat on both my salmon and beef pepperlunches. I added cheese, onion, and egg to the beef pepperlunch. It came fully cooked already stirred and mixed up. The also included their famous garlic sauce with the delivery order. It was so good, not as peppery as before. In fact, it was so good I decided to get it delivered again the next day for lunch. This time I ordered a jumbo beef and doubled the meat for the salmon order AND I upsized both rices. I was expecting the orders to be huge and at least last us two meals. Tell me why my second order was smaller and even came in a smaller container than the night before? I literally got gypped. I paid for double meat, upsized rice, and they screwed us on the portion size. Nonetheless the food was still delicious. Just very disappointed in their lack of consistency on portions. Luckily, I was able to complain to DoorDash and got a partial refund back. read more

Pepper Lunch - Classic beef with an egg. Delicious! - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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The service was amazing, they even brought a high chair over when they saw we had an infant. The food came out very quick and it was delicious. Very clean and comfy ambiance. read more

Delicious, small spot in irvine, fast service, only thing that sucks is the location. took me about 30 minutes to find parking read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Hidden gem in one of the corners of Diamond Jamboree! Very popular! Stopped by late one night and found a line getting in there. Dishes are super tasty and delicious! Served on hot, sizzling bowls/plates. Love all entrees and will have to return to try more! Highly recommend! read more

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We stopped in for a quick lunch and ordered the Ribeye and Angus steak combo, cream pasta with beef, beef pepper rice, and a side of sweet potato fries (free with Yelp check-in and minumum 2 entree order). I like the concept of food coming out on a hot smoky grill entree platter so you can cook your thin beef slices, pasta, and rice --- or continue to crisp up your steak and side veggies. However I found the dishes were lacking flavor and seasonings. There is a liquid garlic or sweet soy sauce that you can add, yet even those weren't enough or adequate for a nice depth of flavor. The pasta cream sauce was very watery and bland and there seemed only a few slices of beef, so I wouldn't order this again (about $17). Similar for the beef pepper rice dish too, it came with too much rice and not enough protein (beef) with a small sprinkled topping of corn kernels. read more

Pepper Lunch - Ribeye and Angus steak combo - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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Solid place to eat with friends. I love rice on hot plates. Not too salty. Service is fast and attentive. Lots of seating inside. I feel like it's a little pricey for the portion size, but I still come back to eat here anyways. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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Taste better with soy sauce they provide on the table, Pan extremely hot. Food is ok, service good, Overall pretty average restaurant even though it's all over the world. Japanese food usually tastes better than this. But if just happen to stop by and hungry for a quick meal this isn't bad. read more

Delicious and a unique eating experience!! Food comes out piping hot in a skillet and you get to mix it around to cook. The staff at the spectrum are always so nice and accommodating! I'd highly recommend eating here after shopping for the day! read more

Wow a nice surprise. Was not sure what we were getting, but we ordered the Sizzling meat curries one is single meat $12.80 and mine was double meat at $15.80. The curry was very tasty. Watch out! The sizzling plate kept the dish quite hot for a long time, nice. Also make sure you check in to get a free side. A quick yummy lunch and staff was very helpful and friendly, a bonus. read more

Pepper Lunch - Double meat and the background is the single meat. - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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4.5/5 STARS I grew up with Pepper Lunch back in Bay Area so I was excited to find this place! Pepper Lunch is essentially sizzling rice, meat, and spices on a hot plate. I ended up getting the kimchi chicken pepper rice with cheese while my boyfriend got the jumbo beef pepper lunch. Both were spiced very well with the rice and meat. They have a few sauce options that you can add to your sizzling plate as well if you needed extra umph but the kimchi and cheese in my dish was already pretty spicy. They also had extra toppings for an extra cost such as an egg. It was a very solid experience overall. I was just disappointed they did not have udon noodles like they did at their Norcal location. This place is located in a pretty busy strip mall so it was a bit difficult to find parking on a weekday evening. It was not too busy when we arrived, but I could see the line going out the door on weekends. Service was quick though, you order at the cashier and pay and then they give you a table and serve the food. Would definitely return and try their other menu items such as their hamburg or steak options! read more

Pepper Lunch - Jumbo Beef Pepper Rice and Kimchi Chicken with Cheese Pepper Rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

The food is perfect amount for one person and the meat is pretty good. The price is both as expensive as I thought it would be like the most expensive thing is around $20. The cheapest thing is like 15. Also if u check in u get a free side so there is def a lot of food. And the flavor is p good. I like the crunchy rice read more

The restaurant had plenty of seating and a basic atmosphere. We ordered the curry chicken and shrimp rice and the jumbo classic beef rice, which were average. Prices were high for the small portions, and even the extras were expensive. On the bright side, the service was fast. read more

Pepper Lunch - Jumbo beef rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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It's been such a long time since I've had pepper lunch! We got to do a quick date around DJ and stopped in for some hearty bowls. As often as I used to visit Pepper Lunch in Vancouver, this was my first time at this location. Arriving at around 1pm, I never saw the plaza SO busy, parking was full, and the line to get in order was out the door. We all got the original Beef Pepper Rice ($12.80) portions, which were decent, and of course, the plate came out hot sizzling. For a quick stop for lunch, this really hit all the tones of comfort! Can't miss out on the garlic and sweet sauce drizzles, too! Service was quick, the line moves fast, and the wait for food isn't very long! We all enjoyed our meal and would definitely come back to try their other dishes! read more

Walked in on a somewhat busy *Monday* evening and it was honestly more difficult to find parking in the Diamond Jamboree parking lot than to find seating inside Pepper Lunch. BUT -- don't get me wrong, the gimmick of sizzling beef or chicken (or fried chicken) -- as you cook your curry sauce if you so desire -- on the cast iron skillet that all the dishes are served in, works. The meat portion was just enough and even the Karaage was deliciously tender and well seasoned! Did not manage to snap any photos, but I'll definitely return here again soon to do my due diligence. See you on Yelp! read more

Good meal highly recommended Calmadito Calmadito Calmadito Calmadito Calmadito Calmadito read more

It looked petty plain by itself, so I ordered the curry version of the chicken pepper rive to give it some flavor. I'm glad that I did because it had no flavor otherwise. There's not much pepper and not much spice involved with this meal. They have some really salty garlic sauce and siriacha on the side that you can throw on. Presentation wise it's pretty cool to see it sizzling, but it is really hot and hard to eat. I don't think the quality is worth the price you pay for it. Plenty of other options available in this complex. read more

Pepper Lunch - Curry Chicken Pepper Rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

I had never been to Pepper Lunch before (not even the one in the Bay Area when I was still living there) and was curious what all the hype was about so I drove out to Irvine to satisfy my curiosity. Well, that was a disappointment. The food isn't bad. In fact, the classic beef pepper was quite good. The mix of caramelized onions and corn with the secret sauce flavored the meat well. I was just expecting more (mainly because of all the hype). I suppose my assessment is tainted more by my unmet expectation rather than my actual experience but, I really can't get over having to drive so far, having to use my toll transponder, all for food that really wasn't out of this world. Unless you happen to be in the area, don't go out of your way to eat here unless you don't mind being disappointed like me. read more

So I was looking forward to this place. I got the pepper chicken with 2x meat and extra rice. Total came out to $24 after taxes. The meal I picked up seemed really underwhelming. It looked like someone just mixed up a bunch of shredded chicken, a few veggies and rice. Worth $24? For that amount I was expecting something that looked more appetizing. read more

Pepper Lunch - Classic pepper chicken. Worth $24? - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

I was BLOWN AWAY by how good this place was. A friend of mine had recommended Pepper Lunch to us and I didn't realize how many times my eyes would glaze over the place when looking for other places to eat/snack at over in Diamond Jamboree. I'm genuinely upset I didn't know this place existed sooner LOL The restaurant is tucked away in a corner, but the closer you get to the entrance door the more captivated you get by the smell. The restaurant is almost completely wooden on the inside, and you get greeted with an ordering area and screens showing you all the dishes they have for you to order. It took a couple mins for one of the staff members to take our order, but in all honesty I needed the time with the amount of options this place has. I ordered to go, so my meal was already pre-mixed--meaning that the cooks took the time to mix all the ingredients in the bowl I ordered--and most bowls coming out are not mixed and allow for dine in customers to enjoy the components of the bowl separately or together, if they choose to mix it. I'm not mad about it being mixed already, if anything I'm happy that they did it because the second I got home I devoted that dish. I have a feeling the food would've been even better if I had it fresh, which is hard to imagine really. To be completely honest the bowl I got was probably the best rice bowl I've eaten in a while, and that's saying something. All in all it's a wonderful place to just pop in for a quick and satisfying bite! read more

Always a solid lunch choice if you don't know where to head. We got the kimchi beef with cheese rice and seafood teppan pasta. Both are delish, I love that the cheese gets nice and crispy on the pan and melts into the dish. Perfect flavor with a little garlic sauce added. Also got the seafood pasta, which is more creamy than cheesy if you are usually a fan of cheesy pastas, and packed with salmon, scallop, AND shrimp. Yum! Not a speck left on our plates. read more

Pepper Lunch - Cream Teppan Pasta with seafood - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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I LOVE PEPPER LUNCH! everyday i crave pepper lunch and i am always so happy when i get to eat it. thank u for always keeping it real & giving me the best service and meal. kimchi beef w/ cheese pepper rice is #1 read more

Pepper Lunch - Kimchi Beef with Cheese Pepper Rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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Environment is very nice and one of my favorite places to get a quick bite. I get the beef pepper lunch with cheese.

Came here during the day on a Monday. It wasn't that busy and the food came out fast! It's a neat idea... like a mini Korean bbq. Your food comes out on a hot plate and you get to cook the thin slices of meat. Taste was ok but I thought the portion was a little small. It was a good experience but can't say I'll be in a rush to try it again soon. read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef curry - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

IF YOU WANT COMFORT FOOD AND FLAVORFUL FOOD, go to Pepper Lunch. I am literally so obsessed with their dishes. It's filling, quick and delicious. I have been getting the Kimchi Beef with Cheese Pepper Rice SO SO GOOD ! I also tried their New York Pepper Steak-- which was so tender! I believe you can finished one skillet by yourself but if you're not too hungry 1 is enough to share between two people. They have outdoor and indoor seating, very clean and staff is very nice! I can't wait to try more dishes!! Tysm! read more

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High expectations, but the Chicken Karaage Sizzling Curry was a flavor flop - felt like I was eating a burnt small pieces of chicken. Scarcely any meat, sides overfried, and my money went down the drain. Left it halfway; unbelievable disappointment. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Came here on a Sunday evening, and there was a short wait about 10 minutes to order. Upon ordering, the food was served very quickly thereafter. In our party- we had the jumbo beef, curry veggies, and double meat with chicken/beef. All turned out wonderful with some great flavor, especially the pepper meal with the corn and rice. Couple of minor issues, there was no ice available for patrons and no solution to offer ice for drinks. I was happy that they offered craft sodas beyond your typical Pepsi/Coke products. I will definitely be visiting again, as I am already craving for more! read more

I was surprised with this one. We were in the area trying to follow the scent of our hunger. We decided to try Pepper Lunch as we always go for kickin crab next door. I ordered the classic beef pepper pot rice. The garlic butter mixed in with the corn and beef was delicious! Add some soy and sesame oil on that rack and your set. My GF ordered a pepper pot with ribeye on top. Meat was tender and juicy. Careful when eating, the pot does stay hot for quite a while, so eat in small bites. We ordered onion rings on side to finish our meal. Comes free with check in! read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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went to try out this place since its been bookmarked for some time and was near the area.. be aware this business shares parking spaces with a other businesses around there, so parking can be kind of tight looking for one.. however, we were able to get a parking pretty quickly as someone was walking to their car leaving.. the restaurant can hold a decent amount of customers with the option to sit outside.. we opted to sit outside to get the nice fresh air and cool breeze since it wasn't too hot.. ordered the beef with egg.. and sweet potatoes.. careful to touch the food.. the food comes out piping hot! and there is a cautionary paper wrapped around.. food is delicious with all the added sauce to it.. sweet potatoes came out nice and crispy!! will be back if i am in close proximity to the business to try out other foods. read more

Pepper Lunch - Classic Beef Pepper Rice with egg - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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So good & flavorful. Food came out fast & sizzling! Love that the prices are affordable and not rhe traditional dining. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

I ordered the salmon pepper rice. As you can see in the picture; it was basically a salmon fried rice. It was nothing like the picture they have posted. I was dissatisfied and very disappointed. I paid 6 extra dollars for more salmon and it was cold. For $25 ... I will never eat here again. read more

Pepper Lunch - Salmon Pepper Rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Shoutout to Reggie! Food came out super fast! Friendly service! Delicious food! Shoutout to Farhat too!