Our first experience at Pepper Lunch was a great experience! The staff was very friendly and Nate was great! Since it was our first time here, Nate took the time to suggest their most popular dishes or to choose a combo if you can't decide which protein you want to try. We opted to order the beef and salmon combo. When the sizzling plate was delivered to the table Nate gave us some instruction and explained the sauce options on the table. We appreciated him taking the time to do this. Initially we tasted the beef without the sauces and it was a little bland. After adding a LOT of both sauces, salt and pepper there was more flavor. I am actually surprised there was very little pepper taste given the name of the restaurant. It would be nice if the proteins were marinated in a sauce of choice to give it more flavor. I now understand why add ons like garlic chips and onions are available at an extra cost of $1.99 each as it would add more flavor to the dish. It's just a shame you have to pay for the extra flavoring. You also want to make sure you start stirring the proteins as soon as the sizzling plate comes to the table to avoid overcooking the proteins since we like our meats and fish cooked to a perfect medium. All in all we enjoyed our first experience of cooking our lunch on a sizzling plate, we really had a nice lunch and will be back! read more

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I've always wanted to try pepper lunch and the food didn't disappoint! My servers Ash and Carol were also extremely kind and helpful!

Been a Pepper Lunch fan ever since highschool and I would mob all the way from South San Jose to Milpitas. Was going to get dinner with a friend and we decided on Pepper Lunch and I was so happy. Such a great spot to get a sizzling plate of beef with rice that soon becomes crispy when it cooks. Comes with some corn and onions on top and has garlic butter under the meats. I recommend getting the Jumbo beef because the normal meat doesn't fill me up and it isn't that much meat. Highly recommend this spot if you are in a rush or just wanting to get that fun experience of cooking your meats. Pepper Lunch is a new spot in the Irvine Spectrum center and was hard to find at first so we called the restaurant! read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

I honestly am very in the middle with Pepper Lunch. The meals are good when you're hungry or want something different than typical fast food. If you cook, you can easily replicate these meals at home. The combo meal choices are primarily choosing a type of protein, a vegetable/garnish, and you get a scoop of rice with some extra fixings. You can also add more toppings for an additional charge. All the combos are served on a sizzling hot plate and your rice is going to have that burnt crispiness on the bottom. Your meal will come with some sort of sauce, especially the curry combos. On my last visit, I got the as-is Curry Hamburg, which is just ground beef that's like burger patty, but more dense. It came on the hot plate with steamed rice and corn. It was a decent meal, nothing too extravagant. The curry sauce was pretty good. The combo was about $16 including tax. It only kept me full for maybe about two hours and I was hungry again - and it's the same experience at other Pepper Lunch locations. I think the portions are likely just too small for me. But this location is clean and located inside the Irvine Spectrum, and very close to the Regal Theater that's just a minute walk away. read more

Did the serving size get smaller. Shrinkflation must be hitting them because I swear there should be more food on this sizzling plate. I go to the diamond jamboree location fairly often and their portions are bigger than the spectrum. Also the employees here aren't as friendly. read more

I've had pepper lunch before at the diamond jamboree location and had to try this new location at the spectrum! There was a bit of a wait when my bf and I got there. I think it was about a 10-15 mins wait so not too bad. The wait staff had us select an open table for two and then we could order via their large digital screens. The food came out fairly quickly and looked delicious! I got the kimchi beef pepper rice and my bf got the beef pepper rice. I really enjoyed mine and it was the perfect portion for me! My bf however felt that the meat portion wasn't justified for the high price tag. I would definitely come back and try their other dishes!! read more

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

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Perfect for quick dinner at irvine spectrum. The food, service and ambiance are perfect! Specially with a great service, very accomodating and fast from REGGIE! Shout out to him! read more

Decided to pop in for lunch during a stroll around Irvine spectrum. Ordered through a machine and the food came out maybe 5-7 mins after. The staff here are very friendly and accommodating. Food is great. I enjoyed the crispiness of the rice. Make you you leave it untouched for a few extra minutes so it can crisp up. The sauce is good. I mixed what they had available to the ratio I liked read more

Located at the Irvine spectrum, parking was easy to find. The place gave fast food vibes because you order through the kiosk and find a seat. The food arrived at a reasonable amount of time. Jumbo Beef Pepper Rice was okay. We were barely able to taste any kimchi on our Kimchi Beef Pepper Pasta. Not worth the price. Overall, it was an okay experience, but not something I would be eager to repeat. read more

We really enjoy pepper lunch. You can never complain about your food being cold and there's a lot of option to choose from. Salmon pepper rice is my go-to and I always add an egg, but there's a ton of toppings to choose from. The quality of the beef could be better, but the other proteins are good. Ashley helped us out tonight and she was super nice. The service is always good. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Located near Regal and Silverlake Ramen, this spot is great for a quick bite. There's plenty of seating both inside and outside, and ordering through the self-service kiosk makes everything fast and easy. Service was quick and smooth. We ordered the regular and jumbo beef pepper rice ($36 total). The dish itself is flavorful and the meat is tasty, but I do wish there was more protein for the price. Still, a solid option when you want something quick and satisfying. read more

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

I came here with my wife on a random day and we both really enjoyed this place. I got the beef pepper rice, she got the kimchi beef pepper rice, and we shared a side of onion rings. Simple, straightforward dishes (literally beef, rice, corn, green onions, and pepper) but the flavor was spot on and it was very satisfying. We've tried to come here a couple times before (but failed miserably due to the long lines during rush hour) but we came at an off time and were able to seat ourselves very quickly. Ordering is done through a kiosk and the portions are generous for the price. Inside, there are plenty of tables and seats thought it definitely fills up quickly during peak hours. Parking isn't an issue since it's at the Spectrum. Overall, tasty food, quick service, and a great spot! We'll definitely come back again. read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef pepper rice, kimchi beef pepper rice, and a side of onion rings - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

A newer Pepper Lunch location in the Irvine Spectrum. Was super happy to hear they opened one nearby. Can get crowded around lunch time so good to get there early on the weekdays. You order on a touchscreen kiosk and can seat yourself and they will bring out your meal. On par for Pepper Lunch. I always enjoy the sizzling beef pepper rice. I love the sweet sauce they serve with their plates. When you're in the mood for a good fried rice.... read more

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

Quality was decent, about what I usually expect here,it was my first time at the spectrum location and the service was very friendly. The main reason for my review is the portion size it was surprisingly small and barely covered the bottom of the skillet, which felt pretty underwhelming for the price. Keep in mind the dish pictured doesn't come with mushrooms and I added them on for an additional (1.99) which is the price for any additional topping such as green onion, corn, egg, cucumber, onion. So if I didn't add a topping even more of the skillet would be showing. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

My family and I love visiting Pepper Lunch. We have been to three different locations. This location hit the spot! It's a perfect lunch spot when you need a break from shopping. It is easy to find. This location has both indoor and outdoor seating. It is clean and the food came out promptly. Our food came out on a cast iron plate with raw sliced beef or salmon and cooked rice plus cooked veggies. As it's sizzling, we stir it up with sauce of our choice. Be sure to let it cool down before eating.The protein was a good portion as well as the rice. If you enjoy the novelty of a sizzling plate like us, then come give it a try! read more

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Service is great, Natalie was very attentive and our food came out great and was very good

Food was awesome and service was fast. Ash and Karol were super attentive and made sure we had everything we needed! Thanks!

Visited this new location in the Spectrum. It's a great place to have dinner with friends. Orders are taken via the kiosk and the food is delivered to you at the table. Sizzling plate that Kees your food cooking while you eat. They had a promotion for the original beef plate when I visited. Added an egg with the beef plate for added richness. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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Great hot food for a cool night on the town. Food came out pretty quickly and was very fresh! Eating outside was nice, with cool looking spots inside to eat as well. Staff were friendly and helpful. read more

Service was impeccable, Khaya has amazing service. Food was absolutely delicious. Vibe was really chill. Will be back!! read more

Pepper Lunch - Chicken & Salmon Combo - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Have been here several times. Good food and good service. Shoutout to Ash who was super polite and helpful on our visit today.

My husband and I went to dinner and a movie over the weekend. We stopped at Pepper Lunch for dinner and ordered the Jumbo Beef Pepper Rice with add-ons (egg, sliced garlic chips, cabbage & kale). We ordered at the kiosk. My husband went to grab a table while I paid and got a buzzer. I would have preferred to be seated inside but we found seating on the patio where it was quite warm. The server brought us some water cups while we waited. Our food came out on a large cast iron plate with mostly raw sliced beef, egg, and cooked rice plus cooked veggies. As it's sizzling, you are to mix it up, sauce it up, and let it cool down enough to eat it. We were Pepper Lunch novices and had never been before but it's fairly straightforward. Just remember not to touch the cast iron pan as it's very HOT. If you're a fan of fried rice, this is your mecca. I enjoyed the meal immensely. I think next time I'd add on an extra sauce because we only opted for the sauces at the table which did not have that savory oomph we wanted. The food was very hot once cooked but it was comforting. The novelty of having it presented at your table and then mixing it up is very Asian. I liked the concept, my husband was so-so. The Jumbo platter was big enough to share and we did not have any leftovers, so that was a win. Service was fine considering you're essentially cooking your food on a hot pan at the table. We enjoyed our visit and liked that it was really close to the movie theater. Check it out the next time you're at the Irvine Spectrum. read more

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The staff was super friendly. All of them were great, but Nate was the only name I remembered. Everyone was so helpful and kind and gave the best customer service. The food has a lot of flavor. I got the kimchi beef and added egg. The concept of the place is great. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

I absolutely love Pepper Lunch--this place never disappoints. Every time I come, it hits exactly the way I want it to. The meat is always super soft, perfectly fatty, and cooked just right, and the rice is so flavorful, especially as it sizzles on the hot plate. I always add extra garlic and onion sauce, which takes it to another level. The whole experience is just so fun and satisfying, from cooking it yourself to that first bite. Shoutout to the workers at this location too--they're amazing. We came in about 20 minutes before closing because we were starving and seriously craving Pepper Lunch, and they were so kind and welcoming about it. read more

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

Great spot for a casual dinner in Irvine spectrum. There was a line outside when we went but probably waited at most 20min. Once you're in, you order on the touch screens and then they seat you at a table. We got the chicken and beef combo, all their dishes come on a sizzle hot plate. You mix the meat rice and veggies together on the hot plate essentially cooking it at your table. The beef comes rare and the chicken is already cooked for safety. You can add-on an egg and cheese too which is good. We also got the tempura shrimp for starter which was light and fluffy. read more

Pepper Lunch - Chicken & Beef Pepper Rice Combo - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

this restaurant was so delightful. The ordering process was easy, the location was convenient, and the food was scrumdiddlyumptious. Would totally recommend the rice. Looking forward to coming back. read more

Pepper Lunch - Tofu & Veggie Sizzling Curry Rice - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Soooo good. The waitress was super friendly and helpful. There was a line but it went by fast so don't worry about the wait. There's a wait for a reason! For being beef and rice the flavors were exception and the brown sauce took it next level. Nice experience with it coming out sizzling. I would say the prices were super reasonable for quality and experience. Loved it and will be back! read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef pepper rice, add onion! - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

This was our first time visiting Pepper Lunch at the Spectrum (near the theaters) Orders are easily placed using either of their two kiosks. We ordered the beef pepper rice jumbo with one egg thinking the portion was big enough to share. Apparently, we were wrong. For the price point (nearly $20), it was incredibly expensive for the disappointing amount of food we received. Since it was busy from the Memorial Day weekend crowd, I wonder if there was a mix up and we were served the regular size instead of jumbo portion. Staff were nice and did their best to clear and clean the tables for other customers. read more

My work team recently had lunch at Pepper...uh...Lunch. The food was great, fresh and flavorful. Their gimmick of letting you cook your food yourself on a (very) hot cast iron dish is fun and works well. What set our visit apart though, was the service! Ash and the rest of the team were very friendly and attentive and expertly handled our group of thirteen while noticeably not missing a beat with other customers. I would highly recommend checking out this location if you are looking great service, fresh and flavorful food, paired with a fun experience! read more

Special and unique beef pepper rice was sizzling, crispy and delicious. I could have added more toppings but the simple version is already so good. The staff were very nice and friendly when they bring out the hot plates. The ambiance is airy, bright and open-air indoor and outdoor seatings. Highly recommended for lunch at the Irvine Spectrum. read more

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

it was my first trying this place and safe to say i'd come back here. It was busy during the lunch time but all staff were great and accommodating. Darren was especially kind in serving our food and making sure we had all we ordered read more

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

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Food was great, service was great! Thank you Ash! Everything was yummy and super quick for a very serious business lunch. read more

Pepper Lunch - A good time - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Pepper Lunch is one of the newer additions to the food scene at The Spectrum. They're conveniently located near the movie theater and specialize in fast casual sizzling rice dishes. This is the type of place where you order at a kiosk and seat yourself. Normally I'm all for kiosk ordering but it's a little inefficient here. When you have so many options and people don't know what they want to order, it makes the ordering process go slow. Once we finally ordered and sat down, the food came out quickly. Being my first time, I got the Beef Pepper Rice ($14.69) and added garlic chips ($1.99). The plate came out sizzling hot with rice, corn, garlic butter sauce, green onion and a small portion of meat. They forgot my garlic chips at first and when I got them, the amount was not worth the price. Overall it was a tasty dish as long as you like the flavor of pepper (hence their name). I would upgrade to the jumbo size if you're hungry. My parents tried the shrimp pepper rice and salmon with veggies. They thought they were okay but nothing they'd get again. The shrimp and salmon themselves were lacking flavor. From their reactions, I would probably stick to beef here. It's an okay place for an easy meal but the prices are a little high for what it is, especially if you start adding on extras. read more

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This is my second time dining at pepper lunch and I've been lucky enough to have Ashley as my server again! Aside from how warm and friendly she is, she went above and beyond to answer all of my questions. I couldn't recommend this place, and her, enough!! read more

To be honest, I don't understand why Pepper Lunch is so popular. The food is fine, a little expensive for the amount of meat you get. Maybe it's the fun of having a sizzling plate that makes it so appealing. Pepper Lunch is counter service, so you order at the counter and find a place to sit. I got the Beef Pepper Rice ($14.69). I was a little disappointed to see how much beef there was, but it looked a whole lot better after I mixed it into the rice. There's garlic butter but the one flavor that seems to dominate is black pepper, and the dish needs the addition of the sauces on the table to give it a little more oomph. The only veg you get is corn - maybe I need to try the teriyaki dishes which have more veggies. Rounding Pepper Lunch up to four stars since service was attentive. I had feared the worst after reading some reviews, but we were constantly asked if we needed anything else. My husband got the Chicken Pepper Rice and said he would ask for hot sauce on the next visit. If it's up to me, a next visit is highly unlikely. read more

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I like Pepper Lunch, but...I ordered the Jumbo Beef Pepper rice, but it looks like the regular Beef Pepper rice portion. :/ kind of disappointed. read more

Pepper Lunch - I ordered the JUMBO Beef Pepper Rice, but it looks like the regular Beef Pepper Rice :/ - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Food is honestly so smelly and disgusting I came here with my brothers heard it was good after trying it it tasted so bad I just felt like throwing up. It's a clean area service is good. But food is honestly horrible. If you're looking for a good place to eat ramen I wouldn't consider this place. read more

Decent selection and combinations. The hamburg steak was good not too fatty. The curry was decent. Let the skillet cool down or burn your mouth. The ordering system thru the kiosk is a bit daunting and cumbersome. Especially if you're new here. But good flavor. read more

Pepper Lunch - Hamburg & Beef Sizzling Curry Rice....soooo Sizzzzzzzling - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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AMAZING SERVICE !!! Annette and Amy were super accommodating as we had a big party yet they were able to make it work and have our party of 10 sit together!! The food is great like always and the portions are epic too. Definitely will return SHAKAAA read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

Staff are friendly, quick to clean up empty tables. Order at kiosk is easy and convenient. A good inexpensive option for any meal, hope for a bigger location. Does get busy during lunch/dinner hours. read more

Pepper Lunch - Teppanyaki Near Me - Irvine, California

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