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    Pepper Lunch

    3.9 (1.6k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Pepper Lunch Takeout or Delivery

    Pepper Lunch Photos

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    PEPPER LUNCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Pepper Lunch

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    Sizzling Curry - Hamburg and Shrimp
    Sydney M.

    One of my favorite spots for lunch out in the Diamond Jamboree. By far my favorite is the Sizzling Curry! Such good flavor and a great portion. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love the option to eat inside or outside to pick an ambiance[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and the staff offered great suggestions! If you get a side, the sweet potato wedges dipped in the curry are next level!

    Half Classic beef half hamburg curry
    Felix Y.

    steak with curry sauce, and I was seriously impressed. The patty came out hot, juicy, and full of flavor. The curry sauce was rich and delicious, with a nice little kick that stayed with you after every bite. So satisfying. This is definitely a new favorite on my list of sizzling curry dishes. If you're a curry fan, I highly recommend giving it a try. The service was okay, it's more of a grab-and-go type of place, but the staff were friendly and helpful. If you're looking for a quick lunch that's packed with flavor, this spot won't disappoint.

    Steak and salmon
    Kimberly F.

    It was my first time trying Pepper Lunch, and highly recommend trying it out! We waited about 30 minutes to get seated, but it's totally worth the wait. Highly recommend trying their most popular pepper beef meal or one of their curries. I love that the food is on a sizzling plate, and the serving portions are huge. I can't wait to go back!

    Matthew P.

    Pepper Lunch is always such a yummy and filling meal! I love how big the portion is and how many toppings there are that you can choose from. I love to add corn because it adds that extra crunch to the plate. Everything is always quick and fresh, as when they bring the plate out to you it's still sizzling. I also love the garlic soy sauce they have at the table. Only thing is that the Diamond Jamboree plaza can be crazy in terms of parking but imo it's worth it for this spot!

    Jared K.

    I had Pepper Lunch for the first time and can't believe I was missing out on it this whole time! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Pepper Lunch is a good restaurant, with ample seating located in Diamond Jamboree.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I came on a Friday night, so if you know this area - parking was a mad house! The food was delicious; I ordered the Jumbo Beef Pepper Rice and boy was it good. It came out sizzling on a hot plate and the taste was amazing! The experience reminded me of Benihana just with my own plate lol. The food plate is basic (meat, corn, rice), but you have the options to spice it up more with add-ons like egg, cheese, kimchi, etc. Yes, the ingredients are basic but the flavor is still yummy! I especially liked when I let the rice crispen a little on the plate! The tables are also set with a sweet brown sauce and a garlic soy sauce, just in case you want extra flava. Service was relatively quick after ordering and the servers are nice! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is self-seating with self-serve drinks so you can stay and leave as you please.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I will say they also have some tasty tea's that I enjoyed! I will definitely will be coming back.

    Sizzling Curry - Chicken Karaage
    Jackie B.

    Pepper Lunch is not about fancy decor--it is all about hot, fresh, flavorful food with fast service. The real star is the signature sizzling hot plate, arriving at your table steaming and crackling with an aroma so strong it could turn heads from miles away. I ordered the sizzling curry with shrimp, and it was such a fun experience because the shrimp arrived raw and cooked right on the hot plate. The rich curry gravy was the perfect finishing touch, especially poured over the rice for every savory bite. We often come here when we drive up from San Diego to visit our uncle.

    Katie T.

    the food is really good as always but i do wish the meat portion was more since the dish is a bit pricey but overall it was yummy and the service was good too

    The plate is hot and has a paper on it to remind you it's 500 degrees F! Which would catch paper on fire so no.
    Dustin B.

    I've been aching to try Pepper Lunch ever since they arrived in the OC. I ordered the signature dish of Pepper Beef without any extra toppings. The cashier informed me that corn and green onions are standard. You order at the front and then sit down. The tables are numbered and somehow they know where you sat. The cashier was extremely helpful with ordering and checking on me twice after my food came to explain the dish since I said it was my first time. Apparently you keep turning the meat which sits outside the mound of rice until it's cooked. Then you mix it all up so that the butter under the rice coats everything. You can add fresh ground pepper and garlic soy sauce or brown sauce if you want. It did need more black pepper so I added that. I cleaned my plate as the margarine pepper beef oil that coats everything is addictive. Somehow the dish was not oily either. Some of the rice gets a chewy crispness being against the cast iron dish. It all works but I will have to try different combinations and sizes to discover what I like here. Downsides? Well, the price is a little high considering I wasn't full when I left. You can add $5 and get the jumbo size so I'll see if that's worth it next time.

    Steak
    Rebecca T.

    Have heard lots about Pepper Lunch and was looking forward to trying when I was in Irvine but it was underwhelming, especially for the price. Both the steak my husband got and my combo with beef and salmon were underseasoned, lacked any flavor besides butter, and was overall very bland. We did see a cart of some sauces that we could add ourselves about halfway into the meal but it was still nothing memorable. We ordered a side of fries which were very crispy that were great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Tables were also really sticky and the sauce bottles on the table were dirty.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Located in Diamond Jamboree so parking is always hard to find. For the price, portion, and flavor, we probably would not come back.

    Beef Aglio Olio Pasta
    Alice M.

    We came in around 2PM on a Sunday and were pleasantly surprised that there was no wait. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a casual setup - you order at the counter and seat yourself.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The worker also gave us a stamp card that offers free items and a free meal after 10 stamps (valid for six months after the first stamp), which was a nice bonus. FOOD We ordered the Hamburg & Beef Curry and the Beef Aglio Olio Pasta. It was satisfying watching the dishes arrive sizzling on a hot plate. Both dishes were flavorful, though I personally preferred the sliced beef over the hamburg. Next time if I'm craving curry, I will probably order the Beef Sizzling Curry instead. I'd recommend mixing the noodles right away while they're still sizzling. I spent a little too long taking photos and the noodles ended up getting crispier than I would've liked. SERVICE The worker was friendly and helpful. Our food came out quickly after ordering, which made the experience even better. OVERALL Even without the stamp card, I'd definitely come back to try more dishes.

    Classic Beef Pepper Rice
    Steve Y.

    This place brought back childhood memories for my wife of eating at Pepper Lunch in Japan, so we had to give it a try. We ordered two Pepper Beef plates -- one with cheese and one with an egg. The food came out fast and piping hot (seriously, be careful -- that skillet is no joke). Everything was cooked fresh right in front of us, which we liked. Flavor-wise, it was a little on the bland side at first, but they have sauces on the table so you can season it exactly how you like. Once we added a bit more sauce, it really came together. We also ordered the onion rings. They were nicely fried and crispy, but the seasoning was a bit heavy for our taste. Overall, it's a solid spot for a quick and easy meal, especially if you're craving that nostalgic Pepper Lunch experience. Would definitely come back when we're in the mood for something fast and satisfying.

    Classic Beef Pepper Rice & Kimchi Beef with Cheese Pepper Rice
    Ben M.

    Came for a Pepper Lunch and got the Jumbo Kimchi Beef and Cheese. They serve it on a hot skillet so if you have kids be sure to have hands off the table. The sizzling food gives a delicious aroma. Once it is cooled down a bit and the beef is cooked, it is ready to be devoured. The corn burst in your mouth with every bite which gives it that extra kick to the spicy kimchi, beef and rice. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a hot day today so we decided to eat inside which cooled us down a bit.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The restaurant is overall clean and the staff is fine.

    Beef Aglio Olio Teppan Pasta
    Shirley S.

    My first time and I thought this place was fun and yummy. The server was very helpful and came from the counter to help me place my order. I was questioning the menu but good to know they are willing to help those that are not tech savvy. I tried the Beef Aglio Olio Teppan Pasta I added an egg and kimchi and it was delicious. My friends ordered their signature Beef Pepper Rice and Salmon Cream Teppan Pasta. We ate it all. I added a side of Onion Rings and they were done well. However the Karaage Chicken was a bit overcooked. It was the only item we didn't demolish. I would definitely come back to try the dish with rice and curry,

    Classic Beef Pepper Rice with Egg and Cheese

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    Pepper Lunch Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pepper Lunch

    Do they take cash here?

    Yes, when I was there they accepted cash and cards.

    Is this restaurant dog-friendly?

    Not inside as usual, but there are plenty of tables available outside and they can serve you there too.

    Do any of their food contains nuts?

    Is the meat you guys serve is halal?

    I don't think so since they are originally from Japan

    Is there a outdoor area for lunch?

    Yes, there is outdoor seating. During the weekends sometimes these tables could be taken up by big parties.

    Is indoor dining available?

    Yes indoor dining is available as well as outdoor. About a week ago it seemed liked 50 percent capacity indoor.

    Are the phones not working?

    Phones ARE working. Got my phone call order for lunch today. :D

    Are they open for indoor dine-in?

    No, only outdoor seating for now.

    How will a pepper rice plate be packaged and prepared for a to go order?

    It will be cooked by the servers in the front on the counter. Then you will get the food along with both the garlic and sweet sauce and plastic utensils in a bag.

    Halal or kosher?

    I doubt that eel is kosher

    View All 14 Questions

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    Tabi-Ji Japanese Cuisine

    Tabi-Ji Japanese Cuisine

    4.6
    (1.3k reviews)
    7.6 mi
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    Family-owned & operated
    48 years in business

    HIDDEN GEM. Always impressed with the service, food and…read moreexperience. Tonight we sat at the teppanyaki grill & celebrated our anniversary. Once the whole party was seated & our order was taken, we received our delicious ginger salad and miso soup quickly. When our chef arrived he was ready to put on a show! He was so fun, engaging and very genuine. All of the food was amazing. I got the filet mignon steak w/ fried rice and my husband gets the sumo steak. The filet mignon is definitely worth it but if you prefer more meat, the sumo steak is the way to go. The drinks are affordable and compared to other teppanyaki places, the food is affordable and absolutely worth it. They also offer a happy hour in the dining room only - does not include the teppanyaki grill area. Truly one of our favorite places!!

    3.5/5 Stars - Nice Experience, But Some Service and Timing Issues…read more We visited Tabi-Ji Teppanyaki for my husband's birthday and had an overall decent experience, though there were a few things that would make us think twice before returning. We chose the dining room seating rather than the teppanyaki tables. The staff did offer us the teppanyaki experience, but since we don't eat red meat or chicken from certain places and weren't sure how the food preparation process worked with mixed ingredients, we opted for a regular table instead. One downside was the seating arrangement. We were seated away from most of the other guests, and it often felt like the staff forgot we were there. Our original host/server was attentive and friendly, but once they were busy with other tasks, it became difficult to get assistance. It was also not busy for a Tuesday evening. We found ourselves waiting for long periods or having to wave someone down, which wasn't ideal, especially for a birthday dinner. As for the food: * Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll (4/5): Fresh, good quality fish, and a generous portion. A solid sushi roll. * Garlic Edamame (4/5): Flavorful and exactly what you'd expect from a good appetizer. * Lobster Duo with Miso Soup, Salad, and Fried Rice (3/5): Unfortunately, the lobster was quite chewy and seemed overcooked. The miso soup and fried rice were both enjoyable and helped make up for it. * Unagi Donburi (4/5): My husband's meal came with white rice, miso soup, salad, and fried rice. It was his first time trying eel, and he really enjoyed the soft texture and flavor. He said he'd definitely order it again. Our biggest disappointment was the timing of the food. The Unagi Donburi arrived significantly later than everything else. By the time it came out, we had already eaten most of the appetizers and other dishes and were pretty full. It's unfortunate because it seemed like a dish that would have been much better enjoyed fresh, but we ended up taking most of it home. Overall, the food ranged from good to very good, and being able to reserve through Resy and use our Amex dining benefit definitely helped offset the cost. However, considering the price point, we expected more attentive service and better pacing of the meal.

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    Tabi-Ji trio family meal (4 people ) $99.95 + tax
    Tabi-Ji trio family meal (4 people ) $99.95 + tax
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    Benihana - Newport Beach

    Benihana - Newport Beach

    3.2
    (2.4k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$
    Kid friendly
    Full bar

    Came here to celebrate Father's Day with the wife and kids, everyone loved it. To start, I'm so…read moreglad they have valet. Without the valet there would be no where to park. The valet attendants were extremely friendly and professional young men, got us in right away at the front door. My kids loved the show from our chef and were entertained from start to finish. Food was amazing, wagyu steak was ridiculously tasty, comparable to any top of the line steak houses in the area. Kids couldn't get enough of the fried rice and have mentioned going back almost everyday since. 10/10 experience from the valet to our chef. I will be back!

    Visited Benihana's in Newport Beach on a Monday for dinner. We made reservations for 7PM but…read moretruthfully we didn't need to because it was a walk-in. Our servers and chef were amazing. For drinks, we ordered a Mojito and a Long Island. My Mojito was delicious and made well. My Husband's Long Island drink was okay but could've used a lil' more kick. As for our meals, we ordered the "Rocky's Choice" and we added the chicken fried rice. The chicken fried rice is an extra charge. Rocky's Choice comes with steak and chicken and includes shrimp as an appetizer. It also includes soup and salad and let's not forget the dessert at the end, which is a choice of ice cream. Usually the flavors are green tea, rainbow sherbet, or I believe, vanilla. We always enjoy visiting Benihana's for either a casual dinner or a fun celebration and would highly recommend this location for either.

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    The Unruly Grill

    The Unruly Grill

    5.0
    (75 reviews)
    9.0 mi

    Okay, so let me just start off by saying I have been to just about every teppanyaki restaurant,…read more (Benihanas, shogun, ichibiri, etc.), and because the in-person experience is primarily what you're paying for, often times I found that my fried rice was overcooked because the cook wants to throw rice into everyone's mouths. But when it comes to the Unruly Grill, it is very clear that they have the experience as I've never been let down even after 5 visits. Don't get me wrong, the in-person experience is great for a night out, but when you're looking to relax at home or in the comfort of your car where you can go to town, I personally think this place exceeds the quality of any other place I've been to for teppanyaki. The pricing, for what you're getting, is honestly very good. I eat a good amount of food as I'm a growing young adult, and I am able to stretch a plate out into 3 different meals Another huge difference between this establishment and others is the fact that I am able to go multiple hours after eating before needing to use the restroom. While teppanyaki is delicious, if you've ever watched how it's all done then you'd know that a good amount of butter is involved. I feel that everything is measured out here instead of eyeballed here, or the chef is just a teppanyaki god, as the quality has been the same every single time. One thing I was very skeptical about at first was if it'd arrive at my doorstep exactly how I ordered it, as I've had burgers and steaks cook further during delivery. Nothing but perfect medium rare steak every single time! I also love how they hook you up with extra sauces, compared to other places where you have to ask or are limited to one little container. If you've been looking for something new to add to the weekly rotation of meals, then I would highly recommend adding this place to that list!!!

    Absolutely wonderful, the food was very delicious, the set up was amazing! They brought everything,…read moreall we had to do is just sit down and enjoy the show and the food! I highly recommend them! This company was very professional from the first call I made to inquire about their service till the end of the event! Wow, I have never had such a pleasant experience and I have had a lot of parties and have dealt with so many companies and by far, this was the BEST experience I have had! My guests and I were very impressed!!!

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    Setup
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    Teppanyaki Grill Supreme Buffet

    Teppanyaki Grill Supreme Buffet

    3.1
    (904 reviews)
    10.0 mi
    $$

    We finally made it to the restaurant to try Teppanyaki Grill Buffet…read more We were all surprised with the selection and variety of dishes. Unfortunately, they do not serve crab legs on the buffet stations. I called to confirm before we came so were aware of it and not expecting it. Foods were tasty and plentiful. I would say 4.5/5 because no crab legs, but everything was great. Of course, I didn't try the Mongolian grill nor the sushi station but all the cooked food was fine and my sisters and their husbands loved it. The place was super busy on the weekend and table spaces are tight.

    I'm writing this review whilst driving in hopes that I die in a raging fire car accident because of…read morethe gut wrenching slob I had to put in me mouth. The crab legs were a lie. I'm typically a "whole pizza" type of guy, but my party and I each couldn't finished two plates before feeling sick. After leaving the establishment, I felt robbed. Not only was the crabs a lie, the establishment under a Japanese pseudo name, is actually ran by the Chinese. Fortunately, it was easy to locate the exit. The vibe was off, as the food was slowly ripping my two cheeks apart. If you decide to go here, go somewhere else. If you have the courage to ignore my warnings, you should still go some where else. However, If you do somehow get forced to eat here, go somewhere else. Unless, if you have no where else to go, go somewhere else.

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    NOV. 2025
    NOV. 2025
    Assortment of sushi
    Assortment of sushi
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    Hanami Teppanyaki Grill

    Hanami Teppanyaki Grill

    4.3
    (419 reviews)
    21.1 mi
    $$
    Free parking
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    I ordered the fillet and jumbo shrimp plate and upgraded with chicken fried rice and garlic…read morenoodles. I wanted to try a lot of things she did not want to waste of space for the veggies although they did look good. I ordered the chili oil and the garlic butter. The garlic butter easily was shared between the fillet and the shrimp adding a nice umami flavor. The garlic oil was smoky and not too hot. The chicken fried rice in my opinion was better than Benihana's or just as good. Although the garlic noodles were a little sweet from my liking, I was evil easily able to alter them to something. I enjoyed with some chili oil and soy sauce. It tone down the sweet. Simple, clean decor. Several ways to see the menu on the wall LCD or by the counter. The service was very good, quick and kind. The quality of the product was very good. The fillet almost melted in your mouth, and the shrimp was cooked well without being rubbery. I spent $52 here to upgrade two chicken fried rice and garlic noodles. They have plenty of parking a huge parking lot, limited seating, maybe eight tables or so, mostly four tops.

    This place is quite small but it can hold a group of 6,7 people if it is not busy…read more The service was ok. Just know it takes about 30-45 minutes to get your food. The food is actually really really flavorful the lobster I had was very tender and juicy and the jumbo shrimp were a good l size. I would have ordered the chowmein though instead of the rice because the chowmein was way better! After discussing with the family we enjoyed it but it is 4 stars since it does take quite a while to have your meal and the customer service could be better. The food itself carries this place but 5 stars if they can improve service!

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    Hanami Teppanyaki Grill
    Hanami Teppanyaki Grill
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    Pepper Lunch - teppanyaki - Updated August 2026

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