Lunchin’ at Pepper Lunch
I remember hearing about the launch of Pepper Lunch in the Philippines and I asked the people who attended the launch about their feedback. The food bloggers I asked were mostly praises for Pepper Lunch so I decided to try it for myself.
Each time I try to dine here, I always see a line extending to the next restaurant outside of Pepper Lunch. At first, I decided to just wait for the crowd to thin out. My mistake, the crowd NEVER thinned out. This alone should give you an idea that there must be something good here that makes people fall in line.
It’s the first of its kind in the country, a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Japanese steakhouse. This means the steak is served on a special hotplate that never goes cold, thus ensuring continuous cooking. If you think your steak is just about ready, remove it from the hotplate and place it on top of your rice or veggies, where the heat remains but the cooking stops. As soon as you come in, you order from the counter, pay for your meal and a service crew member will save you a seat by assigning a number which corresponds to your table.
There are instructions on the side of the hotplate, or you can ask the friendly service crew to help you out. Yes, they will even mix your food for you, doing everything else short of spoon feeding you. Now that’s what I call service! Seen above is my Teriyaki Pepper Chicken, complete with drinks and side veggies for P345.00 (US$7.67).
The Hitokuchi beef steak seen above is only P355.00 (US$7.89) per order. See how happy Noreen is?
Make sure you keep mixing it up until you reach the desired time of cooking. Be careful not to overcook so that the meat doesn’t become too tough to the bite.
My chicken dish came with a sauce, which I poured only after the chicken was tender to the bite.
I have invited some of my co-workers to have lunch at this place, especially on pay day. I suggest you treat yourself to a Pepper Lunch. After a hard day’s work, you definitely deserve it.
This Pepper Lunch branch is located at the basement level of the Power Plant mall, Estrella St. Makati City.
Comments
Comment from Prudence
Time: July 21, 2008, 11:32 pm
I want to see how that hot plate works. Will try this when I go to Powerplant. Thanks for sharing
Comment from Paolo
Time: July 21, 2008, 11:40 pm
I want to try the chicken! What was the sauce for that?
Comment from Arpee
Time: July 21, 2008, 11:58 pm
to fran: the chicken and the salmon plate is also good. too bad i can’t have the salmon. doc’s orders.
to prudence: that hotplate is supposedly something special. some electromagnetic thingy.
to Paolo: sauce for the chicken was teriyaki sauce. not too sweet, just right
Comment from zee
Time: July 22, 2008, 6:01 am
hi arpee, saw this in powerplant one time after having lunch in milkyway. too bad i was so full then so i though i would try it next time. pictures look good.
Comment from jeroen van straten
Time: July 22, 2008, 10:29 pm
Thanks for eating at our resto, we are happy you enjoyed your food!
Please try the Molten Milk chocolate cake a la Mode next time…
Hope to see you in PL again soon!
Cheers jeroen
Comment from Arpee
Time: July 23, 2008, 12:20 am
to zee: you must try to stop by the place one of these days!
to jeroen: i will most definitely give the molten milk chocolate cake a la mode a try next time! you have a good thing going at pepper lunch. more power to you guys at PL!
Comment from shan
Time: July 23, 2008, 4:33 pm
hi! i stumbled on your blog thru a local pinoy food blog 
i’ve been reading a lot about pepper lunch in blogs lately but have yet to try it here in singapore. it looks good though
more power to your blog1
Comment from Arpee
Time: July 23, 2008, 9:57 pm
to shan: nice of you to grace my blog. do try pepper lunch and you will not regret it. thanks again for the visit!
Comment from mercy
Time: July 23, 2008, 11:31 pm
nabusog ako sa kakatingin..(burp)
Comment from Bambi
Time: July 27, 2008, 1:00 pm
Omigod I have yet to try this! 
Comment from cecile
Time: August 9, 2008, 10:18 am
love your post. at first I thought it was scary, but you liked it. so it’s good. thanks for recommending. and great pics.
cecile
Comment from Arpee
Time: August 11, 2008, 12:38 am
to merce: visit the place when you get the chance!
to bambi: it’s really a must-try.
To cecille: find out why there are lines at this place. you’re welcome!
Comment from fran
Time: July 21, 2008, 11:24 pm
i love the chicken and salmon plate!!!