Pepper Lunch Confirms First Las Vegas Expansion

Cult-favorite Pepper Lunch confirms its “sizzle-it-your-way” dining experience is headed to Las Vegas, creating the third U.S. expansion for the Japan-based international chain.

Heading into Chinatown's Shanghai Plaza on Spring Mountain Road, operators Kuni’s Corp. revealed to Forbes.com that the location aims to be ready this summer. Long rumored, construction paperwork has yet to be filed for the project.

The concept is built around a “patented electromagnetic plate” heated up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing diners to quickly cook ingredients to their desired temperature, right at their seat.

Pepper Lunch will join a still growing list of retailers and an impressive collection of pan-Asian restaurants at the plaza, including Yummy Rice, 85C Bakery Cafe, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, Sharetea, and Dagu Rice Noodle.

Pepper Lunch already serves in Irvine and Milpitas, California, with a New York location planned for March, and a move to Houston announced for later this year.

On the California “D-I-Y Teppan” menu, “sizzling plates” of beef, hamburger steak, chicken, pork tonkatsu, tofu, salmon, and Black Angus rib-eye, plus appetizers including calamari, shrimp, oyster, gyoza, and croquette potatoes.

• Countdown to a New Rice Noodle Debut in Chinatown [ELV]

• All Coverage of Coming Attractions [ELV]