Only the Walters Gang would leave the United States to move to China, vacation in Thailand and while there find a great Japanese restaurant, Pepper Lunch. While staying in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok we found a mall bursting with activity and places to eat. This mall offered food from around the world, it seemed. I could practically see Aubrie’s heart leap out of her chest when we spotted a Dunkin’ Donuts. There were also a few steak and sushi places, many smaller places selling more traditional Thai food, and a few gourmet dessert boutiques. We made a few laps around, reading menus and looking at pictures and finally decided on one of the busier restaurants, Pepper Lunch.
Hot? Like, spicy or temperature?
When we look for a good place to eat, one of first things we consider is how busy establishments are. If many of the tables are full, it’s a good sign. If employees are asleep in the booths, we will look elsewhere. Pepper Lunch had a steady turnover. The air around and in the place smelled like tasty meat. Seated customers were hungrily and happily shoveling food into their mouths. We couldn’t wait to join them.
Something we noticed as we looked around were the clouds of steam and smoke coming from the tables. Nearly each customer had a sizzling iron plate nestled in a wooden charger in front of them. I have the chronic condition/problem/handicap/habit of putting food in my mouth just a minute or two before it’s logically cool enough to eat. Often, I use the reverse-blow technique to cool the food while it’s in my mouth instead of blowing on it while it’s still on the fork or chopsticks. Upon seeing all these flaming plates of food, I silently wondered if I could correct my habit and save myself a third-degree burn.
Eastern Sizzlin’
We were seated more quickly than I anticipated, given how busy the restaurant was. We browsed the menu, deciding on sizzling skillets of meat, vegetables and rice. I had chicken and mushrooms with cheesy egg cooked over rice. Kim and Aubrie had teriyaki chicken, mixed vegetables and egg on rice. All three came out, cooking on their way to our table. I could see that the eggs were still raw and runny. Their chicken wasn’t thoroughly cooked when it landed but after several minutes, when the sizzle simmered to a, well, a simmer, everything looked ready.
And I was able to keep my mouth closed while the food cooked on my plate! I waited while it bubbled and sizzled and we all dug in when we thought it was safely possible. We were not disappointed. Our respective meats were tender and juicy. The vegetables were perfect.
It’s a Japanese secret
Allow me (or Google, if I’m honest) to translate this page of the menu for you: “With its unique patented design, the iron plate and special electromagnetic cooker are part of the successful formula of Pepper Lunch. The iron plate will heat up to 500ºF in 70 seconds and remain hot at approximately 175ºF for more than 20 minutes. Meat that is grilled at this temperature range remains tender and juicy. The iron plate also keeps food warm for a longer time hence customers can enjoy full flavors of the dish.”
Electromagnetic cooker?! The kitchen at Pepper Lunch was small but very efficient, with two chefs back there pumping out dishes for a restaurant that accommodates 75 people at a time. Two chefs that had no trouble keeping up with orders during a busy meal time. These two chefs did have science on their side, after all.
Hats off to the Iron Plate Chefs!
To summarize, if we are near a Pepper Lunch again, I would happily go. And I know I am capable of patiently waiting for the sizzle to cool down!
Yummmlooks delish! Also healthy- eating from am iron skillet has health benefits for woman- we get an extra dose of the iron transferred from the dishs cooked in them- super important as we loose iron stores.
What a bunch of smart cookies checking out how busy a place is – a great indicator of how good the food will be ! Happy adventuring friends !
Bobo! I hadn’t even thought of residual iron servings…that’s great! And the next time we’re contemplating between a Pepper Lunch and another place, I’ll say, “But we get a dose of iron if we eat here….” Thanks for the knowledge!