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    Sizzling Lunch

    4.1 (110 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Sizzling Lunch Takeout or Delivery

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    SIZZLING LUNCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Sizzling Beef Pepper Rice
    Olivia C.

    First time to this Berkeley location since it had moved from Telegraph Ave. Walked in and the door notified everyone that someone had walked in. There's a wait to be seated sign but I was motioned to the counter since it was just me. I sat down and scanned the QR code to begin the ordering process. A cup of cold water was brought and I quickly ordered my beef pepper rice. There are options to remove items if you don't want green onions or corn, for example. It did take awhile for it to come out given that there was only two people in front of me who hadn't yet received their food. So if you have an hour lunch, this may not be the best place for you to go. That being said, if you have the time, the flavor and experience is worth the try. I would have wanted a few more slices of beef to mix with the rice, corn and green onions to feel more full. The rice however was perfect. Crunchy rice from the sizzling plate was spot on. The plate was hot enough to quickly cook the very thin strips of beef. I also had added on the garlic shoyu and teriyaki sauces that were at the counter. Definitely would recommend for the experience but maybe not if you're hungry and only want to order one dish. Server was polite and the restaurant itself was clean. The restroom is out the back door and is a little dark but also clean. Would I go back? Absolutely if I have the time!

    Onion Beef Pepper Rice
    Alice H.

    I wanted a quick meal, so I ordered the Onion Beef Pepper Rice, which came with Green onions, corn, garlic butter, salt, pepper, and Fried Crispy Onion. The portion size was great, but the flavors felt a bit mild for me. I ended up adding the garlic shoyu and teriyaki sauces, though I could mostly taste the sweetness and saltiness. Overall, it was a mixed experience. But I'll definitely come back to try it again another time.

    Garlic Beef Pepper Rice Cheese Corn
    Kathy N.

    I didn't realize Sizzling Lunch moved to Shattuck! There's only street parking and it can be rough depending on what day and time you go. I stopped by twice in one week (because it was so good). Once on a Saturday around 6pm, I had to drive around for like 15 minutes before I found parking and another time on Monday around 5pm and lucked out on finding parking right in front. When you get seated, you'll scan the QR code to put in your order. You can pay through there or at the register. I ordered the garlic beef and corn cheese. It's definitely recommended to add all of the sauces and seasoning on the table otherwise it's going to taste bland. I wasn't the biggest fan of the corn cheese, I think it cooked too fast and got too crispy at the bottom for my liking. Overall I would obviously come back. Staff are super nice. The restaurant is spacious but can get full.

    Online menu where you place your order online
    cristina p.

    We came for my sister's birthday with a group of 13. Usually it's very overwhelming having to order for everyone and everyone ordering all at once lol. However, the ordering process here made it so easy! You scan a QR code from the table and you just place your order, that's it! No one takes your order, but they are on standby if you need anything! I got the spicy garlic beef pepper rice with an egg and it was very tasty! I like how crispy the rice gets when you just leave it alone for a bit. The spice level was just enough for me. There are sauces that you can add to the dish if you need more flavor. They also offer Sugar Mama Sugarcane! We didn't get any when we came in, but we've had Sugar Mama before and it's one of the best sugarcane drinks!

    Front entrance
    Mary K.

    If you're looking to have a good hot plate sizzling lunch or dinner this is the place to go plenty of seating and no wait unlike other places in the area. Friendly service and food is quick to arrive because the meat choice will cooks on the hot sizzling plate you have to flip and mix everything together a little different but good! The wings had a nice batter crunch. There are no paper menus so you do have to have a phone to scan the barcode to order. The food was good and satisfying. Will definitely be back since it's close walking distance.

    Diana T.

    Yum! I was craving Sizzling Lunch in the middle of a 2 hour car ride and rushed over thinking there might be a long line. Parking was a nightmare but we were seated right away! We sat by the window and was annoyed by the flies but the food made up for it. A hot sizzling plate of food never misses. I'll be back but perhaps will sit somewhere else in the restaurant?

    Takoyaki
    Customer A.

    The food was amazing!! I took a video of my partner's and friend's meals but the food I personally ordered were the Tempura Shrimp with Curry Sauce and Takoyaki. The tempura was PERFECT! The best tempura I've ever tasted, it was wonderfully crispy on the outside and the shrimp wasn't rubbery or chewy at all. The curry sauce was a perfect mix and the plate stayed hot for a good while! The takoyaki was also incredible! The octopus wasn't rubbery or overly chewy at all either. :) I look forward to trying this place's food again in the future. The service was nice! There was only one server at the time we came in but she was very accommodating and cordial. When we had an issue with one of our cups, she was quick to help out and resolve the issue by both replacing the cup and drink. The ambiance is good! Decor is simple and nice. One concern is that there were a lot of flies at the window inside the restaurant. And I unfortunately did see one land on two customers' head (two different ones). There was a total of four just sitting on the blinds. Maybe something to keep an eye out for in the future, considering there are many tables near the window.

    Lisa H.

    I was pleasantly surprised at how fast, affordable and tasty the food was! It's a large space with plenty of seating where you order at the table with a QR code. The food came out so quickly, within 5 minutes of ordering and it was indeed sizzling hot. The flavors were delicious for the garlic pepper beef rice and I added lots of the teriyaki and soy sauce. I also got the udon as well and prefer the rice myself because it got crispy on the hot plate. We were in and out in no time. For a fast quick meal I definitely would recommend!

    Garlic Beef Pepper udon
    Aly C.

    ===TL;DR=== - Garlic beef pepper with udon - Garlic beef rice with kimchi ===TMI=== Not sure if it's me, if I grew out of it, or this place is just not hitting the same anymore. Classic sizzling plate meal where you get to add sauces of your choice at the table. It was alright. Flavors were ok. I think they're good for a quick and hassle free meal. iPad orders. When I went, the table and seat was kind of dirty.

    the wings, all but one smaller than my pinky
    Blu M.

    In all honestly, this spot is ok! But nothing to call home about that is for sure. I placed a pick up order at Sizzling Lunch to get a quick dinner to hold me for the night. I already knew that the experience wouldn't be as good considering I was getting everything precooked rather than having the actual sizzling plate experience, so I don't let that hinder my overall score. It took about 50 minutes for my order to be complete. Why? I am unsure! I ordered a garlic beef rice and an order of chicken wings, and the restaurant was not busy at the time (5 pm). So I do not know! The beef rice was definitely the best part. The rice was flavorful and the beef was good. Do wish there was more protein but it is ok. I also enjoyed the sauce that was served with it. Yum! The thing that got me were the wings. What bird was killed to make these? They were SO small and dry! I was hoping that the flavor would at least make up for the negative so far but even that was lacking which is upsetting :( Just not the most tasty moment. I have had sizzling lunch in the past and it has been good, but each experience I have had at this specific location has been leaning towards lackluster :/ I do not think I will return unfortunately!

    Front desk
    Lily C.

    Had the pleasure of dining at Sizzling Lunch recently, and the staff were extremely kind. I ordered the spicy garlic beef pepper rice, and was very excited to receive the quite literally sizzling plate! The food itself was okay -- definitely need to take a pair of chopsticks to flip and cook other sides of the beef while the plate is hot -- and was *very* spicy. By itself, the dish was missing quite a bit of flavor (that or my tongue was just numb from the intense spice), but they have bottles of teriyaki sauce and various other seasonings available to add to your liking. Two cups of iced water later, I left as a full and satisfied customer. Thank you Sizzling Lunch!

    Spicy Garlic Beef Pepper Rice
    Kelly T.

    Wow! I was quite blown away by how delicious the food was here. Back in OC, we have something similar called Pepper Lunch, though it is not as good as it was here. I think what really made this dish so tasty was the seasoned butter that they used!! Really added such nice depth and richness to the rice when mixed all together. The spicy sauce that came on top of the rice was also sooooo good and well seasoned, though it was a LOT spicier than I anticipated. It's the kind of spice that builds up in your mouth the more that you eat it. I also had the potato croquettes and they were perfection. So crispy on the outside, soft and a bit sweet on the inside, it pairs so nicely with the main dish. Would definitely recommend this place!! Portions are pretty big.

    Curry Beef Rice with Cheese
    Elaine C.

    If I could eat here every day without having digestive issues, I WOULD. I looooooove sizzling lunch. Service is incredibly quick--there's barely any wait time between ordering and getting your food. The food arrives on sizzling hot stone pans, and I absolutely adore getting to mix everything up and scraping the crispy bits of rice off the bottom. I usually just order the classic garlic beef pepper lunch, but my boyfriend ordered the curry beef rice with cheese. I tried some and it was MOUTHWATERING. If you are a fan of curry, it is a must try! It's definitely on the heavier side, though, so be prepared to spend some time on the toilet later. The interior is so cute and spacious, and they have a good range of seating options. The bar style tables make it very solo dining friendly. Pro tip: drench your rice in the spicy miso sauce. I can eat that sauce straight.

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    It is so clean here and the staff is fairly quick. I got the beef udon and it was delicious! The corn cheese was okay.

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    Sizzling Lunch Reviews in Other Languages

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    Hana Japan Steak & Seafood

    Hana Japan Steak & Seafood

    2.9
    (886 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$$
    Takes reservations
    Full bar

    In all fairness, we came here because of a Groupon and for me that usually indicates the restaurant…read moreis trying to push for new customers. We made the drive and glad we did it, but it's not enough to make us return. I wish them success because hibachi is totally fun. Our chef was excellent! Entertaining enjoyable, all of the things. That said the restaurant was definitely old and dated but not in the nostalgic way. Food was pretty ok. Pricing is expected but would've been frustrating had it not been for Groupon.

    Completely disappointed. I would never go back. I can't believe they are in business to be honest…read more The ambiance is so dirty and out dated. They haven't put any love into this business in a long, long time. It being a restaurant and a place you eat, it needs to be clean and not smell offensive. Do me a favor and take the elevator up and let me know how it smells, I had to hold my breath. OK so lets start with the food. The salad was literally soggy and not flavorful. I usually give leftovers to the homeless or take home for myself but that salad I wouldn't even give away to the homeless, yes it was that undesirable. The tempura shrimp was not crispy as it should be. The food was just ok and the portions were not equivalent to the price your paying. Im sure plenty of people might be OK with mediocre but unfortunately I am not. The only bright side was the friendly staff which reminds me, Our wings came out way after the food that I even forgot to take a picture of them. The waiter apologized for it and gave us a free drink. Something is better than nothing. I did appreciate that. P.S. the parking lot is run down and unsafe to walk if your in high heals. There is no love or passion left in this joint, only cashing in on the allure of hibachi cooking. No thank you.

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    Hana Japan Steak & Seafood
    Hana Japan Steak & Seafood
    Hana Japan Steak & Seafood

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    Kirala

    Kirala

    3.9
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Still all these decades later, Kirala meets the mark. We sat at the sake bar in the back with two…read morekids and it worked well. Service by Taka was great - attentive and quick. Only lag was when we ordered 2 nigiri at the end and it took a really long time but I think the sushi chefs lost the order or something. Delicious sukiyaki, chicken skewers, cold tofu, salmon rolls, hamachi sashimi, Ikura and uni, tuna and Ikura nigiri, and hamachi Kama (not sure why they charge $21 and then $7 for a large when it is two small dollars that came out though). Decent wine selection - Chardonnay was good. Restaurant itself is fairly loud, especially with a baby that kept crying. But it might have been crying because it was loud. Owners should consider the Constellation System by Meyer Sound to make the dining experience more enjoyable for patrons. As this is a longtime bastion of Japanese food in the Bay, they should really invest in the sound portion of their restaurant. Prices have gone up since the last time I was here but it's not totally unreasonable. Good quality food and service. Love this place.

    Kirala isn't just another Japanese spot for us--it's a reminder of how far we've come. My wife used…read moreto only treat herself to Kirala when she was younger--on special occasions when a bonus check came in. Now, we get to dine here as a family, and that nostalgic treat feels all the more satisfying. Food (4 stars) + Ribeye teriyaki was a hit--tender, cooked to perfection, and the kids loved it! + Lamb chop was a standout--one piece, but perfectly grilled, juicy, and tender. I could eat 2 of these with a bowl of rice and it would be a hearty meal! + Chicken karaage was solid--crispy, good portion, and a nice appetizer. It's basically a Japanese version of chicken strips that is way better than nuggets. + Salmon sashimi for the kids never disappoints. ~ Chirashi bowl was fresh and filling, though standard compared to other spots. There was a lot of rice which if we knew that we probably would've skipped the extra bowl I ordered to eat with my lamb chops. For the somewhat premium pricing, I wish they provided fresh chopped wasabi. ~ Stuffed mushroom skewer was just okay--tasty but nothing special. I guess for mushrooms it does taste kinda like a chicken meatball which could be a good thing. Service/Ambiance (4 stars) + Attentive and thoughtful service, especially accommodating a broken foot. They let my family wait at the bar instead of standing. + Ambiance is that classic Japanese vibe, busy but comfortable. Maybe not high-end, but definitely a place that feels special--especially now that we can afford it!

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    Kirala
    Kirala
    Kirala

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    Shirasoni Japanese Restaurant

    Shirasoni Japanese Restaurant

    3.2
    (766 reviews)
    5.9 mi
    $$

    We can for my brother's birthday. The service was great, the show was fun and the food was…read morestandard. I think the food itself is probably 3.5 stars- consistent, but nothing to write home about. But our cook- Memo is the reason this gets bumped up to a 4. Interactive, fun and a memorable dinner to celebrate my brother's birthday! Also the amount of food was VERY generous!!! Pretty much everyone in our group had leftovers to take home- some of us had full meals!!

    Pretty bad experience last night at Shirasoni Japanese Restaurant Alameda last night. Granted, it…read morewas Valentine's day, but still . 1. I wanted a particular seat so I could stretch out my right leg due to recent knee replacement surgery. The staff member refused to do it because they didn't want empty seats between us and another party that was already seated. Except there wouldn't have been any empty seats, because there was another party about to be seated at the same time as us; it was just a matter of where we, and the other still-standing party, would sit. They actually had to get a manager involved so I could sit where I wanted to. 2. We had a coupon for a free appetizer, up to $12 value. The only restriction was that it couldn't be combined with other offers. Nothing on the coupon said anything about restrictions for Valentine's Day. Staff said they weren't sure and would check, but did NOT say we couldn't use it when they took the order, so we ordered an appetizer. And then at the end of the meal, they refused to honor the coupon. 3. None of the single teppanyaki dishes were available; you could only get combo dishes (e.g. chicken & filet mignon). Issue is not a limited menu for V-Day, because chicken, filet mignon, shrimp, we're all still available. You could modify a combo dish to get two of the same item, but doing so was a lot more expensive than the regular price for a single dish. 4. The kid's order of filet mignon tasted funny. . Overall, a really negative experience.

    Photos
    The grill
    The grill
    Banzai (Steak/ Chicken / Shrimp
    Banzai (Steak/ Chicken / Shrimp
    Pomegranate Martini - Made with Ketel One. Absolutely delicious!

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    Pomegranate Martini - Made with Ketel One. Absolutely delicious!
    Ippuku

    Ippuku

    3.9
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    Yesterday was my first time at Ippuku. My friends and I were a group of 8 and they were able to…read moreaccommodate us but in 2 separate tables - I believe their large table was already reserved. This worked out fine for our group. The menu had various options and eye-catching beverages! My table ordered 3 versions of the Chu-Hi's. Quite pleasant. I liked my Meyer Lemon Hi, it came with half of a lemon which I freshly squeezed and poured into my drink. I thought that was very fun! The quality of each dish was cooked well. My favorites were the crab croquettes, chicken heart, one of the marinated skewers (I can't recall the name of it), gizzards, and the squid ink fried rice. I'm definitely curious to try the bacon-wrapped mochi at a future visit. The only downfall was that the kitchen was extremely backed up during our visit. It took well over what felt like 20-30 minutes from our 1st order to our 2nd Chef's Choice dish. That negatively impacted our experience, but it happens. I'd like to try Ippuku again and hope there will be less of a delay. Our server was nice & attentive, came around a few times to refill our water.

    Came back here and it was just as amazing as the first time…read more This time we tried the : daily specials which was fried fish ( in place of their fried oysters), Neck, bacon wrapped asparagus And we got the Ippuku Salad and Squid Ink Rice again because they're so good! Amazing will be back Monique served us again and she is just wonderful and it's nice to see her again.

    Photos
    Cool shochu dispensers
    Cool shochu dispensers
    Sashimi combo: tuna, fatty tuna, sea urchins and ?
    Sashimi combo: tuna, fatty tuna, sea urchins and ?
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    Beer and sake
    Benihana - San Francisco

    Benihana - San Francisco

    2.9
    (2k reviews)
    10.7 mi
    $$$
    Kid friendly
    Full bar

    We had great service. The guy was a little short at first but he warmed up. I think he was…read moreoverwhelmed by the amount of people on his first day back. He didn't know about the Memorial Day special for veterans. So he had to talk to the manager. Our meals were excellent and made exactly as we requested. We tipped big because of this. The chef was super entertaining and enthusiastic. Loved the personality of Roberto! Parking is only in the mall or street. We walked from our resort and it took us about 25-30 minutes. We also made a reservation ahead of time. Hibachi steak dinner is sooo yummy.

    Wait is still very long from sitting down until the chef would arrive at your table, expect an hour…read morebefore the chef comes. Make sure you are not hungry or in a rush. We had good experiences with Chef Eric before. The last experience for a birthday dinner was unpleasant. Other than the wait, the chef quickly connected and bonded with the couple at the table and his focus had been on them, joking, and laughing with them to a point their laughed at whatever jokes he had. Some jokes felt inappropriate (spoke softly then laughed loudly) or they appeared to be teasing one of us asking for less butter, or the reactions from the children. I took it as different people may have different sense of humor but definitely felt uncomfortable to be sharing table with those feelings. When it came to cooking, the chef gave the couple two $9 chicken fried rice when we previously heard them saying it's too expensive and they did not want it. He gave them free fried rice and there was not enough rice to put into a bowl for my paid order. I had to tell him that I ordered one. Then, he tried to brush it off. It already made me more guarded to see if he would offer our food to the couple again. He did it again after he finished the couple's orders. When he was cooking the shrimps, he offered to give the couple shrimps. The coupld said no , then those shrimps came to my son's plate. This this point, I was very offended by his actions. I did not want to say it out loud and ruined a birthday dinner. The food was also very salty and overcooked as he was distracted talking and laughing with the couple. It felt like the whole world was just him and the guy from that couple. Food was not tasty (even the children commented about that), felt he cheated with our paid food by giving it out to the other customers, and uncomfortable experience overall. At the end, I couldn't help but asked our server if the couple ordered any fried rice in case I wrongfully accused anyone. She confirmed that the couple did not order any fried rice. The manager was also very attentive. She came and inquired what happened. She provided service recovery as much as she could and she said she would address it with the staff. I appreciate both our server and the manager. Thank you!

    Photos
    Benihana - San Francisco
    Benihana - San Francisco
    Benihana - San Francisco

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    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    3.9
    (442 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    Top contender for Japanese cuisine in Berkeley--equal parts sophisticated and scrumptious…read more Highlights include: - Sea Bean & Corn Tempura: a savory funnel cake worthy of a Michelin star thanks to its texture and the side of matcha salt - Salmon sashimi: succulent with fresh wasabi - Wagyu Shime Special: insane price for insane flavor--a generous portion of veggies and wagyu in a big ol' iron bowl of bubblin' broth

    Ate Christmas dinner here with my mom as our celebration tradition is usually a Japanese…read morerestaurant. The ambience was intimate and cozy yet elegant, and the staff was very attentive and kind. I loved the decorations, the plates and silverware, and the food was just as intentional in flavor and selection. For appetizers we had: Anchovy Stuffed Olives Tempura - Tempura Spanish alives stuffed with anchovies $9 Kombu Tsukudani - Premium Hokkaldo kelp, say sauce, bonito, shiso, sesame seeds, enjoy with sake or rice $6 For our meal we had: Saba Bouzushi - House-cured saba mackerel bouzushi - stick-shaped sushi, also called battera, served with shiso, sesame, scallions, topped with Hokkaido shiraita kombu, ten pieces $29 Gindara Yuanyaki - Local black cod marinated in soy sauce and shikuwasa Okinawan citrus juice served grilled $34 Steelhead Trout Nabe - Norwegian ocean trout raised sustainably in the clear, cold ford where the seawater meets fresh meltwater from the glaciers in the mountains. Enjoy the rich flavored, melt-in-your-mouth fish, hotpot with dashi broth, mushrooms, napa cabbage, burdock, clear noodles, tofu, mizuna, scallions, yuzu kosho $39 We've been to many izakaya spots and this place had some of the most unique flavors I've tasted. The Saba Bouzushi stood out to me because it reminded of Filipino paksiw but as a roll! The Gindara was buttery and soft and had a yummy smoky flavor. The Nabe was perfect for a rainy evening - hearty, fresh, and so well balanced in flavor (I loved the yuzu kosho the had us add for a citrusy, peppery flavor)

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Chicken Karaage
    Chicken Karaage
    Takeout Basque Cheesecake ($15) - good but the slice is very small. Doesn't have a strong cream cheese flavor.

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    Takeout Basque Cheesecake ($15) - good but the slice is very small. Doesn't have a strong cream cheese flavor.

    Sizzling Lunch - teppanyaki - Updated June 2026

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