Hawaii’s dining scene is about to sizzle, literally, with the arrival of Pepper Lunch, a popular Japanese restaurant concept offering interactive meals under $20. Known for fast, hot, iron-plate dining, the brand is set to launch its first three Hawaii locations within the next 12 months, with a long-term plan to expand across all the islands.
What is Pepper Lunch?
Founded in 1994, Pepper Lunch is a fast-casual Japanese eatery with more than 500 locations across 17 countries. It remains one of Japan’s most successful homegrown fast-casual dining concepts. Its approach features steak, chicken, seafood, tofu, or vegetables served raw on a sizzling iron plate that diners cook to their liking at the table. The experience is quick, customizable, and meant to deliver a hot meal in under 20 minutes.
While well-known in Asia, Pepper Lunch remains under the radar for many U.S. travelers. That novelty, paired with its price point and presentation, could make it a hit in Hawaii—where sit-down meals under $20 are increasingly rare, particularly in popular visitor zones.
First locations and statewide expansion plans
The first Pepper Lunch in Hawaii will open at Moanalua Shopping Center, followed by new locations at the Hyatt Centric Waikiki and Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu. This marks the beginning of a plan to open ten locations across the Hawaiian Islands.
Of course, we’ve seen many chains float similar ambitions before. “Statewide” plans often stop cold at Ala Moana. Whether this one makes it to Hilo or Lihue depends on how well the concept holds up in Hawaii’s real-world dining economy—where rent, wages, and supply chain realities have outpaced plenty of big-name entries.
Why this matters for affordable dining in Hawaii
With meal costs surging statewide, visitors and residents are struggling to find satisfying food at reasonable prices. In popular areas like Waikiki, lunch for one can easily cost double that—even for basic fare.
Pepper Lunch aims to change that by delivering hot, flavorful meals in a sit-down setting without pushing diners past the $20 mark. It may especially appeal to families, solo travelers, and workers seeking a fast, unique, and memorable dining option.
This comes as our readers are increasingly searching for affordable dining in Hawaii. It also builds on interest in Honolulu restaurants recognized by the James Beard Foundation and two reasonably priced Honolulu restaurants from a past James Beard Award winner, both of which show that quality and cost-consciousness can go hand-in-hand in Hawaii.
What makes it different from a Hawaii plate lunch?
While Hawaii’s plate lunch culture is iconic—mixing protein, rice, and mac salad in a takeout box—Pepper Lunch offers a new spin with a DIY teppan-style presentation. As the hot plate arrives at your table, a canvas of fresh, uncooked ingredients awaits your touch. Then, you stir everything together and add the sauce.
It also reflects a shared dining experience that resonates in Hawaii. The format is ideal for families or groups looking for something interactive, and the quick in-and-out service fits busy travel schedules.
@pepperlunchrestaurants Ready for a another DIY delight?🍴🥩 Join COO Mark as he showcases a personal spin on the beloved Beef Pepper Rice. Explore our diverse menu further and discover how our proprietary Garlic Margarine and signature Soy Sauce compliment each dish you create. Visit a location near you to you sizzle it your way! 🔥⚡️ #MarksMenu #FoodieFeature #TeamFavorite #SizzleItYourWay #DIYTeppanyaki #RestaurantFranchise
♬ original sound – Pepper Lunch
What reviews say about Pepper Lunch
Pepper Lunch consistently earns 4.0 to 4.5 stars on Yelp and TripAdvisor in the U.S. and abroad. Diners praise it for affordability, speed, and novelty—often highlighting the sizzling plate as a standout experience.
Comments from California and Las Vegas locations include “affordable for steak and rice,” “quick and fun,” and “great for a fast meal without feeling like fast food.” The brand is equally popular among locals and tourists in Japan and is known for its flavor, consistency, and value.
Some reviews, however, mention limited seating or modest portions for larger appetites, and it’s worth watching whether the $20 pricing model holds up once Hawaii operating costs come into play. Still, for a brand few visitors have tried, and even fewer locals have heard of, it’s arriving with more traction than most.
How does it compare to other Hawaii options?
Fast-casual dining with international flair is gaining traction in Hawaii as visitors look beyond traditional resort restaurants and legacy fast food chains. With rising costs and shrinking value, many are seeking alternatives that feel unique without breaking the budget.
Pepper Lunch might fill that niche. Unlike many sit-down restaurants, where hidden costs add up, the pricing is upfront, and there’s no expectation for tipping. Compared to plate lunches, poke bowls, or beachside cafes, it offers a rare hot, complete meal with table seating and an interactive dining experience.
That difference could matter, especially for travelers used to spending $30 on something that comes in a compostable container with a plastic fork.
Neighbor island outlook.
Although the first three locations are confirmed for Oahu, Pepper Lunch’s Hawaii rollout includes plans for all major islands. No official announcements have been made yet for Lihue, Kahului, Kona, or Hilo, but with seven more restaurants, expansion beyond Honolulu is part of the strategy.
For residents on neighbor islands, this could mean a much-needed new dining choice that goes beyond national fast food chains and offers better value without the high price tag. Then again, if history is any guide, we’ll wait for a signed lease before calling it statewide.
A familiar name with a fresh approach.
Pepper Lunch may already be known to some Hawaii travelers who encountered it in Japan, Korea, or California. But for many, it remains a discovery.
Hawaii needs more economic lunch options, and Pepper Lunch might arrive at the perfect time—or at least close enough. Its value pricing, interactive dining experience, and statewide ambitions make it worth watching, especially as the first openings approach. Whether this sizzle has staying power, we’ll be here to see—and likely taste—for ourselves. Stand by for our review when it opens.
Have you tried Pepper Lunch?
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There’s a lot of plate lunch places in Oahu that’s less than $20 so what’s the gimmick with this one to attract customers?
They ain’t gonna find that much workers to work at those type of establishments, when every one else here already been complaining in finding workers. Its a head scratcher, hourly pay and benefits Vs. the cost of living here!
No tip required. Lets see how far this goes with the need tip, where’s the tip, we need tip to survive on Hawaii, attitude goes. With all the food inspection problems on Hawaii I’d be afraid if the meat was tainted or bad. If the customer cooks their own food then what responsibility of under cooked food does the restaurant have? None.
$20 for you to cook your own meal at which the restaurant has little to no liability. IMO not the best choice.
NOPE … “Pepper Lunch” was a minor league franchise just beginning to expand in the mid-late ’90s when I was still flying the HNL-NRT route … and nowhere near $20 taking inflation into account.
My crews and I tried it a few times in Tokyo; it was O.K. – but we were not overly impressed. They got some flak in Japan from local press re: food-poisoning incidents (raw food, folks cooking their own – now what could go wrong?) but nothing approaching the Chipotle horror stories of a few years back on the US Mainland.
When in ‘da Islands? For me, it’s still a plate lunch and huli-huli chee-e-e-eekin’ all day long …
If you have a chance and happen to be in the Pearl City area – look for a brightly colored green, yellow, and red van parked next to a huli trailer Popolo Boi’s – It’s Money – I swear the chicken is addictive…
Best Regards
Thanks for the head’s up, Bruddah’ … I go through the area semi-regularly and will keep my eyes open and head on a swivel for that van … pulled it up online “Tube” so I’ll have a positive I.D.
Rated 4.6 out of 5 and that’s pretty good in anyone’s book …
Mahalo, thanks, and gracias …
Sounds more like the fad/gimmickery indicative of American franchises. At least the fare seems to be a lot healthier than al the fast food crap offered at American establishments.
I was curious if their price increases for dinner time consumption ?
Curious how long the $20 price point will hold up once they’re dealing with island rents and labor costs. Work in process.
We tried this once—never again. We ended up with bland, over cooked food, and skimpy portions to boot. We didn’t have our kids with us, or it would have been even worse. My idea of going out for a meal is to get a break from cooking. So no thanks!!
No tipping? That alone makes this worth checking out. I’m tired of 25% tip prompts on $30 lunches.
Interesting concept, but do visitors really want to cook their own meal on vacation? I guess it depends on the sizzle factor. Lol. Not entirely sold.
Finally, something under $20 that doesn’t involve a food truck or a long wait. I’ll be watching to see if they make it to Maui.
Cooking chicken at your table to pretty risky. Also I go out to eat so I don’t have to Cook! No thank you!
If Pepper Lunch is coming to the islands, will it please come to Vancouver Island. Aren’t we part of the Hawaiian Archipeligo?
🇨🇦❤️
Nice concept, been to one in Japan. The reviews are correct in terms of portion sizes – they’re Japanese sized and may not meet the expectations of many folks in Hawaii who tend to lean towards portion size vs quality in their restaurant preferences. I expect they’ll get slammed at first and that’s where seating availability comes into play – expect comments on that as well. There are plenty of Teppanyaki places already in the Waiks area so the price and portion size will be the driving factor once the initial rush to try dies down. I wish them success.
Best Regards
Great until the first lawsuit because someone’s kid burned themselves by touching the plate. Liability laws and societal norms around responsibility are very different.
Good point, this is the United States of Litigation, after all. Look for a ‘legalality’ surcharge coming soon to an American franchise!