I really enjoyed the concept of pepper lunch, there's nothing like it near me in NorCal. It's like teppenyaki of sorts but diy? I liked being able to cook my meal in my bowl. I ordered the beef bowl and it was so yummy. I definitely did burn my mouth so that made my experience a little less enjoyable but that's on me. It was rlly tasty and I would definitely go again! read more

I usually frequent the one in the sgv but was in the area visiting friends and they've never tried it so we came. The line was long but went by quick. Its more so if there's tables available for you. Pretty small location - in a plaza that has tons of stuff so parking can be so bad. Food was great per usual read more

Tried this place for the first time, and it did live up hype, the beef was tender and the rice was cooked properly, I thought it's going to be too peppery but once you start mixing everything it creates a perfect balance, not sure what the sauce, but I mixed both and it turns out so good! The place is clean and well maintained we were there during lunch time and the wait for the food was not bad at all, this is a budget friendly restaurant to try! read more

Pepper Lunch - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Can easily be made at home. Prices are high for essentially getting a bunch of rice. Very small amount of meat. Flavor and everything is great, just not worth the wait or prices read more

I came here a few weeks ago, and I have been itching to go back!! The food was delicious, but warning because it is super hot. We got the pepper beef and the curry. they were both delicious! And they are super fast with serving food, so it is great for a quick lunch. read more

I like pepper lunch for the sizzling plate because I eat slow and my food stays hot for the whole duration of my meal. I hadn't been in a while and my only qualm was that it seemed like they put less beef than I remember from previous times. Service was quick in a Wednesday night. Our table was missing the sauces so I had to go ask for them and then they pointed me to a self serve station when I saw that other tables had bottles of the sauces, which was confusing. Ambiance is casual. Nice place to go to when you're lazy and don't feel like cooking and don't feel like waiting too long at a restaurant. read more

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

This place is always good. It's a comfort meal at a fast casual dining place. Classic Beef Pepper Rice + cheese- 4/5: Tried it with the cheese topping and it was okay. The cheese didn't add much flavor to the dish and burnt really quickly. Could have done without it. Otherwise the dish tasted great. Curry Beef Pepper Rice- 4.5/5: This one comes with the curry sauce on the side that you pour over. Personally this one is my favorite dish there. I think the curry adds extra flavor. read more

Pepper Lunch - Curry Beef Pepper Rice (sauce comes on side) - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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I like pepper lunch for the sizzling plate because I eat slow and my food stays hot for the whole duration of my meal. I hadn't been in a while and my only qualm was that it seemed like they put less beef than I remember from previous times. Service was quick in a Wednesday night. Our table was missing the sauces so l had to go ask for them and then they pointed me to a self serve station when I saw that other tables had bottles of the sauces, which was confusing. Ambiance is casual. Nice place to go to when you're lazy and don't feel like cooking and don't feel like waiting too long at a restaurant. read more

Had to have this for lunch with the girls on our first day to visit. It's been a fave from Japan and we've been missing it! Got the regular pepper lunch and it hit the spot! Soo good! Service was fast and we got there on time before the line got long. We sat outside because we didn't want to smell like food lol. read more

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

Lunchtime!!! Today, we're having Great Food at pepper Lunch in Irvine! Pepper Lunch is a Japanese "fast-steak" restaurant franchise popular in the Tokyo area! Opened in 1994 and has more than 400 stores all over the world! We ordered a Classic Beef Pepper Rice. Mixed with Corn, Garlic butter, Garlic Sauce, and White Rice. We also ordered Salmon Pepper Rice. Everything was soooo good!!! This place is a Must Try!!! #lunch #greatfood #restaurant #sizzling #sizzlingplate #beef #salmon #rice #august2024 #delectable #irvine #california #socal #socalweekendwalkarounds #weekend #weekendvibes #chow #pinoyfoodie #yelp #yelpelite #pepperlunch #pepperlunchtiktok #japanese read more

First time here and I can only say great things about this place! The quality of the food is amazing! With such a diverse menu, there is something for everyone. Arrived around 12:30 pm on a Sunday and surprisingly the wait wasn't long at all. You stand in line to order and they will ask if you prefer inside or outside seating and will sit you correspondingly. We waited in line for about 10 minutes. We got the kimchi beef with cheese + hamburger/beef curry and both were exceptional! Like how the food comes sizzling and keeps the food hot the entire meal. Food also came out pretty fast. They even offer garlic sauce, salt/pepper, sweet sauce, and chili to spice up your meal. TIP: If you check in, you get a free side! We chose french fries which were just avg tasting fries, nothing special but it was free and complemented our meal nicely. Good amount of seating inside and outside. Umbrellas for outside for shade. Definitely check this place out for your next lunch spot! read more

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Keep in mind that this restaurant is in diamond Jamboree Plaza so parking here can be kind of a nightmare sometimes. However food is pretty solid and comes out petty quick. The food portions may be a bit small for some people but it was perfect portion size for me. Another caveat is that the food comes out sizzling hot so you should expect to smell like food when you leave the restaurant. read more

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

My family loves dining at Pepper Lunch when we are in the area! My favorite is salmon pepper lunch. I add onions and mushrooms. It's always busy but the line moves quickly. They choose your table based on availability. I love their garlic and sweet sauces. My only gripe is the parking! It's always packed and it takes time to find a spot. read more

Pepper Lunch - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Been here twice now, I'm SOOO HOOKED!!!! The food is absolutely delicious, friendly staff all around, but Masami and Mel were exceptional, they recommended the steak and chicken skillet, I made it my own by putting add ons along with it. Come here, it doesn't disappoint. Keep up the GREAT work guys!! read more

Finally!!! The food I ate here tastes really identical to all the Pepper Lunch locations I went to in Tokyo!!! Of course for double the price :( but I still love it! Parking was limited because of all the other restaurants located nearby. read more

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Wow, an amazing sizzling entree restaurant! I really enjoyed the food here; it was so flavorful and new. I've never tried anything like this, in a good way! I got the Tofu & Veggie Kimchi Pepper Rice. It was a great vegetarian option in the store. The kimchi added a nice spicy tang to the whole dish and the veggies were well cooked and crunchy, but not soft and over cooked. I highly recommend this menu option when you go here. The line can get a little long so be prepared to wait for a little bit, but it moves very fast. There is inside seating, but again, since it can get pretty busy it can be a little difficult to find a table for your party. They are located in Diamond Jamboree which can get very crowded, especially on weekends, so be prepared for limited parking and a little waiting. Overall, this place was amazing! I can't wait to return. read more

Pepper Lunch - Chicken Karaage Sizzling Curry - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Disappointed No flavor beef smell off Sauces bottle on table doesn't look clean They serve your meat raw The beef thin slice, color look light ?? read more

Pepper Lunch offers delicious sizzling rice and pasta plates. I usually order the kimchi beef rice with cheese, and my food always comes out fast, making it a quick and easy meal. It's also affordable; my meal is about $14, although some dishes can go over $20. I do wish the dishes came with more meat, as the meat-to-rice ratio isn't ideal. I should note that the sizzling plates are quite oily, so this isn't the healthiest option. Overall, it's a convenient spot for a tasty meal. I do appreciate the pet friendly outdoor seating. read more

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

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We love pepper lunch! Foods always great. One of the workers Kara was very sweet and had quick service. Highly recommend! read more

Pepper Lunch - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

This place usually doesn't get crowded and it smells like hot stone beef the moment you walk through the door. You have to order at the front first before seated, and all the staff are really friendly. The foods are excellent. They tend to be oily and there is significant less portion of meat than rice. I like the pepper flavors they added to the rice, but the corn tastes better than the rice because it is sweeter. The beef they used is also fresh, I just wish they gave us more meat considering the price we pay. read more

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

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We came in Monday afternoon and there was no wait. Order system was easy and we ordered jumbo. Thin sliced beef was very tasty and we mixed with rice and sauce at the table. our server Kara was very friendly and attentive. read more

Came here for a work lunch and it was perfect for a quick, tasty meal. The food came out fast and hot, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. I had the shrimp pepper lunch, perfect portion size for 1. The sauce is very flavorful. Quick service, good flavors, and super convenient. Definitely recommend for a casual lunch spot in Irvine! read more

Pepper Lunch - Shrimp Pepper Rice - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Yes. We are back in California and we had to come back for more. It was exactly what I was craving. Not much to say rice, beef and corn and you cook it how you like it. So simple but so good. I highly recommend this place. The service is good it's kinda like a fast food. read more

Pepper Lunch - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Came here around 1:30 PM on a Tuesday, and it wasn't too busy. Plenty of parking in the plaza, so no issues there. Ordering was quick and easy at the front, and there were plenty of seats available. My food also came out fairly quickly. I got a regular Beef Pepper Rice (4/5)--flavor was great, but the portion felt a bit small, especially the amount of beef. Not sure if getting a large means more beef or just more rice, but I'd probably go for the large next time just to be safe. Service was excellent! The staffs were really attentive and kind. As for ambiance, it's more of a fast-food-style spot, so I don't really have much to say there. Overall, I'd rate it 4/5. The food is solid, and I'd definitely come back. Summary: - Food: 4/5 - Service: 5/5 - Ambiance: N/A read more

Pepper Lunch - regular Beef Pepper Rice - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Finally got to try out the FAMED pepper lunch, and thankfully this location has no wait (unlike the Bay Area location). You order and pay first at the cash register, and they bring food out super quickly to a table they assign you. The concept is super easy- you mix the protein and rice/noodles together while the plate is still sizzling, and add pepper, salt and their signature garlic sauce and/or sweet sauce for more flavor. We ordered the jumbo beef rice and yaki beef udon, and both our dishes had lots of pieces of bone, fat and cartilage in the meat which was annoying to pick out. I also thought that the portions could be a bit more generous for the price that we paid, as we walked out satisfied but not completely full (even with the jumbo). Overall, a cool concept, although I've had something similar in the bay with better execution and food quality. I recommend checking them out (if you haven't yet) for the experience, but this probably wouldn't be a spot that I come back to often. read more

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

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This place is seriously slept on! Pepper Lunch is absolutely delicious - the food is packed with flavor and I love that your food cooks right in front of you. The portions are generous, especially for the price, making it a fantastic value. Every dish I've tried here has been great and the interactive cooking experience just adds to the fun. Whether you're dining solo or with friends, this spot hits the mark every time. The service here is pretty good, you order at the counter so it is nothing fancy, and the food is pretty quick to come out. The restaurant is cute and just an easy place to pop in and enjoy some good food. If you haven't been here yet, you're missing out. Pepper Lunch deserves way more recognition - highly recommend! read more

Pepper Lunch - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

The food was solid, the meat portions are as sad as it's always been. Service was decent and the food came out fast read more

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

Pepper lunch may be a bit gimmicky, but the sizzling bowl doesn't disappoint! You order on a tablet, and you get to mix your meat and sauces yourself. It's pretty busy and bustling, but the wait is worth it! Ingredients are fresh, and you'll leave satisfied. read more

Pepper Lunch never disappoints, there I said it! My boyfriend and I usually always get the pork belly pepper lunch at the Santa Barbara location (now called Sizzling Lunch). So being our first time at the Pepper Lunch in Irvine, we didn't see Pork Belly as one of the meats and so we decided to try the Eel Pepper Lunch! It was so so good. We devoured it and loved how our meal stayed hot and sizzled for a long time. read more

Pepper Lunch - Eel Pepper Rice - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

First time here. I think the meal is adequately good. Each order is an independent grill that is prepared in the back and brought out to you sizzling hot. You'll notice a paper wrapper around it to catch hot splashes your way. You'll still get some but it's a nice thoughtful setup. FYI, since its hot grills all around, with limited ventilation, expect to smell like bbq walking out of here. Wife ordered the Kimchi beef which was really good. I'm getting that next time. I ordered the Pepper Salad with Angus Cut Steak. Especially with the table sauce as an ad-in when its sizzling hot, mix that bad boy up and give it a twirl. Flavors comes through very well. All this time visiting DJ and I never gave it thought as an option for a meal. Now, I look forward to a next meal here. Not best to come in with work clothes but afterwards, I'm all for this place. read more

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Likes: + Variety of exotic, delicious dishes. + Highly recommend experiencing the curry menu. And if you've never had chicken karaage sizzling curry, it's a must-try at least once in your life. + Polite, helpful staff. + Decent amount of indoor and outdoor seating. + I like how the curry comes in a gravy boat (aka saucière). Then, they bring out the sizzling meal on a hot stone plate. You wanna drape your meal in that curry while it's hot to enjoy that sizzling phenomenon. Non-likes: - Price gouging outta control. See attached image for detail. Beef curry used to be $12.80. Their new menu now says $13.99, but that's not even the true price. Today the pre-tax price turned out to be $14.89! Karaage curry used to be $16.80. Now the menu says $19.09, but on Grubhub it's a whopping $23.39! (Approaching a $10 price increase!) Makes the Rakuten 4% cash back seem like a joke. This Rakuten saving would reduce the GH price from $23.39 to $22.45, but that's still on the exorbitant side. I mean, if your cash back is gonna be too cheap to cover the price hike, why have it at all? What I'm requesting is for PL's Rakuten-Grubhub to offer a cash back equal to or greater than the price increase. In this case, since a 19% cash back would offset the price increase that's occurring from $19.09 to $23.39, R-GH should offer a cash back of at least 20% to justify the use of online ordering. (Otherwise I'd just order by phone call.) Out of all the restaurants I've seen, prices rise at Pepper Lunch the fastest. Their new menu belies the actual prices. - And of course the chicken pasta: $13.80 became $15.99 (which is $17.23 post-tax) within the past couple years. Prices rising rapidly! - They removed the Yelp check-in offer for a free side if you order two dishes. I miss every lost opportunity to try to counterbalance the price hikes. I had: $16.04 Beef Curry + $17.23 Chicken Pasta = $33.27 read more

Pepper Lunch - I ordered chicken. They gave me hamburg. Still good food though. - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

First time eating here and the food was great! Ashley was my server and was very nice and I was impressed by her customer service. Will be eating here again, thank you! read more

I came with a group who one of which very highly recommended. It was easy to find, easy to park in their lot and very clean with plenty of seating inside. Something important to me was clean restrooms and there's was very clean. You order and then sit and your food is brought out to you. It's very hot and sizzling when it comes! The quality of the food was good BUT for my personal preference, it was far too seasoned. It makes sense, considering their name has "pepper" in it and it seems by the menu that it's a staple part of the food so I don't think it was prepared wrong...it was just way too much for me. If driving through again, I may stop in but I'd ask for zero seasoning. The 3 others in my group didn't think it was as overwhelming as I did and two out of the 4 in our group really loved the food. read more

Went here yesterday with a group of 4. Our friend recommended this place since we were in the area. It was around 4pm and it wasn't very busy. When you walk in, you order and pay first, then your food is served to you. It's honestly worth each plate around $15-$16 and they serve the hot plates to you. On the table is some sweet sauce and some garlic sauce. My group ordered the Beef & Hamburg Curry rice because it was the most recommended. I ordered the Beef Pepper Rice. Food: honestly 5/5. I'm so surprised this place doesn't have 5/5 rating. The portions were very good and it may be spicy to some because of how much pepper is used. Personally I like the flavor, just be careful to not burn your tongue! I recommend adding the sweet sauce and some togarashi powder that's provided on the table. For my party, they had the curry to cook into their hot plate. Service 5/5. The workers moved swiftly and our food came out in less than 5 mins! So convenient. Overall, this dish was so delicious and needed on a rainy cold day!! We will definitely be coming back. Note: there are only 1 person bathrooms, one for male one for female. read more

Pepper Lunch - Beef and Hamburg Curry Pepper Rice - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

I remember trying this place a few years ago quite often, so I was excited to have been able to try it again recently. It's just as good as I remember! I came on a Thursday afternoon around 2pm, and there were still some people eating there. We first ordered and paid at the counter and then were directed to a table. Initially they didn't seem to have a table for 3 indoors (there's also outdoor seating), but they were eventually able to clear a table for us. Service was good and quick. I got the classic beef pepper rice and used the Yelp check in for a free regular/premium side which I got the miso soup. The food came quickly, and was super hot and sizzling. I liked how long it stayed hot so I was able to enjoy it fully. The beef pepper rice was already really flavorful when mixing the rice with the beef and corn but there was additional pepper and other sauces available on the table to use. Portion size was just right for me and it's not too expensive. The miso soup is your typical kind, so you can't go wrong with ordering it. Overall, I would definitely recommend trying this place! I hope to come back again soon and get the other options that I used to get back then as well try the ones I haven't gotten before. read more

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This was on my list to try and I finally was able to do so. I went with my sister and loved it. This location is within a pretty busy plaza so if you time it right, parking can be easy. You order first and then you are assigned a seat if dining in. This made it a whole lot easier than trying to fight for a table. Entrees come on a sizzling plate, so be careful. They give a paper wrap around for safety. I loved this! We ordered the classic beef pepper rice and a sizzling curry. By itself, the beef was plain, to me it needed extra sauce or something. The table offers different sauces so you can try it. I liked the additional pepper flakes they had. The curry was so good, but it came on the side so it wasn't super hot. I mixed it in with the rice so it was perfect. Staff were quick with taking orders and cleaning tables. Plenty of seating inside and out. Also, if you check in on Yelp, you get an extra side. read more

Pepper Lunch - Sizzling Curry - Ebi Shrimp (curry was on the side and not in photo) - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Absolutely amazing food. And our service from Izzy was amazing. I highly recommend this place read more

Pepper Lunch - Pepper lunch - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

One of my favorite spots to grab lunch. Only a few of these spots in Cali. Food sizzles and pretty quick to cook. Service was quick after ordering and everything we needed was close in vicinity. I usually grab the classic beef pepper rice and sometimes a curry Hamburg. Never disappoints. I'll definitely be back if I'm in the area. read more

The service was average, I wasn't sure if we were able to get our fountain drink cups from the server or ourselves. My brother ended up getting it 1 min after being seated. The food was pretty good, my bro and I had high hopes for this place considering it was our first time setting foot into a Pepper Lunch location. Will probably go back but not anytime soon. read more

Pepper Lunch - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Excellent and fast service. Food was excellent and price was great too. Will definitely be back