Rita’s Kitchen — Restaurant in Yoichi

A restaurant located within the Nikka Whiskey Distillery, named after Rita, the wife of the distillery's founder. As there were no other dining options nearby, the restaurant became the go-to place for visitors exploring the distillery.

Aside from being renowned for its whisky, Yoichi is also famous for its apples. I opted for the apple sandwich with cream cheese, a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors. The apples were incredibly crisp and refreshing, and they paired harmoniously with the cream cheese, creating a unique and enjoyable taste.

Additionally, I ordered the fish and chips, featuring cod sourced from Hokkaido. The fish had a distinct and flavorful taste, while the batter was light and crispy, not overpowering the fish itself. The "chips" were not the typical thick-cut fries but rather roasted potatoes. The highlight, however, was the condiment: a blend of hollandaise sauce with onions and a poached egg. It seemed to complement the whisky theme, and to enhance the flavors, they provided a small bottle of wheat vinegar for me to drizzle over the fish and potatoes. It truly elevated the dish and provided a perfect balance.

To conclude the meal with a whisky-inspired touch, I couldn't resist trying the whisky ice cream. The ice cream was served with a small cup containing approximately 15ml of Nikka Whiskey. With just one sip, the aroma of the whisky filled the air, and when combined with the creamy ice cream, it created an exquisite...

Superb food, exceptional service, reasonably priced. It was a long walk from the Yoichi Station but it was all worth it for three famished tourists. We came all the way from Sapporo and we intended to have lunch, early or late depending on the train schedule, once we get to Yoichi. This is after having read numerous reviews from guests. We ordered the roast beef (boy it was huge!), seafood pasta and fish and chips. Well-prepared with excellent taste. Rita’s Kitchen is a destination in itself apart from the Nikka Distillery and Museum. The staff were also courteous. Highly recommended before going on whisky tasting at...

It was my dream to visit this famed distillery having bittersweet memory 7 years ago. Didn't join the tour but instead walked around under the snowy weather while taking photos. They have tasting room where one can choose to have sample at small fees. After buying some bottles, we went to have a quick meal at Taru Cafe & Restaurant just next to their retail shop. Lamb pie was decent, spaghetti with tomato based sauce & fried pork cutlet was OK but the stood out dish was the braised pork rice. Ordered their whisky...