Enjoy lunch at popular restaurants in Monbetsu, the town of drift ice! 14 recommended lunch spots

Located in the central part of the Okhotsk Sea coast, Monbetsu is famous as a city where you can experience "drift ice," a rare phenomenon seen in only a few places worldwide. In Monbetsu, you’ll find an abundance of seafood nurtured in the cold Okhotsk waters, including crab, scallops, flounder, and salmon! From sushi to hot pots, fish cakes, teppanyaki, and more, this town is a gourmet paradise filled with diverse seafood dishes. In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the best lunch spots in Monbetsu, loved by both tourists and locals alike.

1. Mary-san no Ki

Popular among people of all ages in Monbetsu, Mary-san no Ki is a charming café housed in a Western-style building. At lunchtime, the parking lot gets so crowded that even locals flock to this well-known spot. The lunch menu offers a wide variety, including hamburg steak, curry, doria, pilaf, pasta, and sandwiches.

One of the most frequently ordered dishes is Monbetsu’s specialty, Crab Fried Rice. This luxurious dish features buttery pilaf-style rice generously topped with large chunks of crab meat. The moment you take a bite, the rich aroma of crab fills your mouth. Since crab is a local delicacy in Monbetsu, it’s a must-try.

Other popular menu items include the Omelet Curry, topped with a soft, fluffy egg, the Hamburg Steak Curry, a hearty meal, and the French Toast. Be sure to try their well-regarded coffee, known for its variety and rich flavors. With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, this café is loved by locals, and the delicious food is sure to leave you satisfied.

2. Menya Ohotsuku

With an exterior resembling a lodge-style café, Menya Ohotsuku is a specialty udon shop in Monbetsu that has even been featured in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido edition. Many people are fans of its smooth and chewy udon, and some even visit Monbetsu just for the noodles here. Once you try them, you’ll be hooked!

The most popular dish, also listed in the Michelin Guide, is the Ebi Mochi Bukkake Udon. This dish features crispy tempura shrimp and fragrant mochi tempura, making it exceptionally satisfying. But the real highlight is the udon itself—made from high-quality Hokkaido wheat and free from additives, the noodles have an irresistible springy texture.

You can also take home Nama-Han Udon, a semi-fresh udon set that includes a leaflet with cooking instructions, allowing you to recreate the taste of Menya Ohotsuku easily. It makes for a great souvenir from your Monbetsu trip!

3. Ramen Nishiya

If you want to enjoy lunch while taking in views of Monbetsu’s iconic attractions, such as the Garinko-go, the world's first drift ice sightseeing icebreaker, or the Okhotsk Sea, head to Ramen Nishiya. Located inside Monbetsu Marine Exchange Center, this spot is convenient for a break during sightseeing. With a spacious food-court-like setting, it's an easy place to dine alone.

The most popular dish here is Garam Masala Ramen, available only at the Monbetsu main location. This ramen features a miso-based broth infused with curry flavors and is topped with unconventional ingredients like fried potatoes and broccoli, along with thick slices of chashu and bean sprouts.

For a unique Monbetsu experience, try Drift Ice Draft Beer, made using ice from the Okhotsk Sea. This translucent blue craft beer resembles a Blue Hawaii drink and has a crisp, refreshing taste. Pairing it with the rich ramen makes for an irresistible combination.

4. Yotteke Marutomi

Run by the well-known Marutomi Watanabe Suisan, a seafood supplier in Monbetsu, Yotteke Marutomi is a great place to enjoy fresh seafood at reasonable prices. Loved by both locals and tourists, this eatery prides itself on the freshness and quality of its seafood, making it a must-visit spot for a seafood bowl.

The signature dish is the Seafood Donburi, a luxurious rice bowl topped with Monbetsu’s finest seafood, including Botan Shrimp, Salmon Roe, Scallops, Sea Bream, Amberjack, and Salmon. Since every ingredient is incredibly fresh, you can truly savor the natural flavors of the seafood. A visit to Monbetsu wouldn’t be complete without dining at Yotteke Marutomi.

5. Kado

Café Restaurant KADO (Kado) is a local favorite in Monbetsu. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including ramen, udon, pasta, fried rice, curry, and omelet rice, making it a perfect spot for a casual lunch. The restaurant also serves side dishes and beer, making it ideal for those who enjoy a drink with their meal.

A must-try dish at Kado is the Ebi Miso Ramen, made with original shrimp-flavored seasoning powder and shrimp-flavored soy sauce. Despite its simple presentation, the rich shrimp-flavored broth is so delicious that you won’t be able to stop drinking it. If you want to enhance your Monbetsu dining experience, pair your ramen with a mini salmon roe rice bowl.

Other notable dishes include Mixed Fry Platters and Ankake Yakisoba (Stir-fried Noodles with Thick Sauce), both of which highlight the rich flavors of Monbetsu’s seafood. With a diverse menu catering to all ages, Kado is a go-to restaurant for any occasion.

6. Marina

Located inside Hotel Okhotsk Palace Monbetsu, which offers stunning views of the Okhotsk Sea, Marina is a restaurant where you can enjoy exquisite dishes featuring local ingredients from the region. One of the highlights here is the Okhotsk Monbetsu White Curry, a famous local specialty.
The Okhotsk Monbetsu White Curry is a dish prepared according to ten specific rules, such as using scallops from Monbetsu and milk from the Okhotsk region, serving the curry separately from the white rice, and arranging the ingredients on top of the rice. It is available at seven restaurants across Monbetsu, with each establishment offering its own unique version.

At Marina, the White Curry features a mild, seafood-infused roux and is beautifully garnished with crab, shrimp, scallops, oysters, as well as colorful vegetables like pumpkin, broccoli, lotus root, and eggplant. A retort-packaged version of this dish is also sold at the shop, making it a popular souvenir from Monbetsu.

7. Ando

Restaurant Ando is a long-established Western-style restaurant that is well-known among Monbetsu locals. This restaurant is a popular choice for special occasions, including dates and anniversaries, offering a refined selection of authentic Western dishes. The retro yet elegant ambiance and outstanding hospitality make for a truly enjoyable dining experience.

If you visit for lunch, the lunch-time service menu’s Hamburg Steak is a must-order. The juicy patty is complemented by a rich wine-infused sauce, and the side vegetables reflect seasonal flavors. The set includes soup, bread (or rice), dessert, and coffee, making it a hearty meal.

Although the price is slightly higher for a lunch dish, the quality and generous portions make it worth every yen. If you're looking for a luxurious lunch experience, this is the place to be. While Monbetsu is famous for its seafood, if you're craving a satisfying meat dish, be sure to visit the long-standing Restaurant Ando.

8. Namaste Nepal

Namaste Nepal is a specialty curry restaurant where a Nepalese chef prepares authentic Nepalese curry. If you're looking for something different from Monbetsu’s usual seafood dishes, this is the place to enjoy a spicy and flavorful lunch. The restaurant is particularly popular during lunch hours for its affordable set menus, which offer three different options.

The set menu includes a lighter "A Set", which comes with one type of curry, naan, turmeric rice, and salad; the "B Set", which includes two types of curry; and the "C Set", which adds a lassi drink. In the B and C Sets, you can choose only one type of curry, but with so many delicious options available, it can be hard to decide!

Another must-try dish besides the lunch sets is the Nepalese Soup Curry. While Hokkaido is famous for its soup curry, here it’s given a Nepalese twist, with fresh local vegetables cooked by the skilled Nepalese chef. Enjoy the fusion of Hokkaido and Nepalese flavors right here in Monbetsu!

9. Monbetsu Fisherman's Restaurant

If you’ve traveled all the way to Monbetsu, you simply must try the local crab! For the ultimate crab experience, head to Monbetsu Fisherman’s Diner. This eatery, designed to resemble a fishing boat, features both a souvenir shop and an eat-in section where you can enjoy fresh seafood bowls and grilled crab.

If you’re unsure what to order, go for the Zuwaigani Don (Snow Crab Rice Bowl), which is the most popular menu item. Another recommended dish is the Hon-Zuwaigani Kora Mori—a luxurious serving of crab shell filled with rich crab miso, shredded crab meat, and large pieces of crab leg. Both dishes are truly indulgent seafood experiences.

The Kora Mori (Crab Shell Deluxe) is also available as a take-home souvenir and can be shipped across Japan using refrigerated delivery. There’s even a set that includes both snow crab and horsehair crab, making it a perfect Monbetsu souvenir for family and friends.

10. Restaurant Neuf

Restaurant Neuf offers authentic French cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients from Monbetsu. The white-themed exterior and interior create a charming atmosphere that makes you forget you're in Monbetsu. With spacious seating arrangements, it is an ideal spot for those who want to enjoy a leisurely lunch. The affordable pricing is another appealing feature.

The lunch menu consists of four set meal options: Hamburg Steak, Pasta, Steak, and Seafood. The Pasta Set includes salad and coffee, while the other sets also come with bread (or rice) and soup. Each dish reflects a strong commitment to using high-quality Hokkaido and Monbetsu ingredients, making it easy to understand why the restaurant has so many repeat customers.

In addition to its delicious cuisine, Neuf is also known for its extensive wine selection. The restaurant offers over 20 varieties of wine from Germany, Chile, and France, along with a wide range of aperitifs and digestifs. Choosing the perfect wine to pair with your meal can elevate your lunch experience into a refined and elegant dining occasion.

11. Katsubokuan

Katsubokuan is a well-known soba restaurant in Monbetsu that has even been featured in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido edition. The interior is filled with the warmth of natural wood, reflecting the owner’s passion for woodworking, and jazz music plays in the background, creating a unique ambiance not typically found in soba restaurants. A glass partition allows diners to watch the soba-making process in action.

Katsubokuan takes pride in serving freshly milled, freshly kneaded, and freshly boiled soba. The menu features five different types of soba: Standard Soba, Coarse Ground Soba, Thick Noodles Soba, Sarashina Soba, and Hyoshou Soba (available on certain days only). Among them, the Coarse Ground Soba, made from 100% buckwheat flour, is the most popular. While some may find pure buckwheat soba dry in texture, Katsubokuan’s version is firm, smooth, and full of aroma, making it an exceptional experience.

It’s no surprise that this highly praised soba has earned a place in the Michelin Guide. Though soba is typically a light meal, the generous portions here ensure you leave feeling completely satisfied.

12. Moka Shokudo

When it comes to Monbetsu’s must-try dishes, "Wakadori-yaki" cannot be overlooked. Moka Shokudo is famous for its Wakadori-yaki, a bold and impressive dish consisting of a half-cut young chicken deep-fried to perfection. The skin is crispy, while the inside remains juicy, bursting with flavorful meat juices with each bite. Despite its large portion, even women reportedly finish it effortlessly due to its exceptional taste.

In Monbetsu, families often enjoy Wakadori-yaki for special occasions like birthdays and New Year's celebrations, so Moka Shokudo also offers takeout options. This dish pairs well with rice as a meal, or as a snack alongside a drink. The Wakadori-yaki Teishoku (set meal), which comes with soup and rice, is highly recommended.

Aside from the signature chicken dish, Moka Shokudo offers a variety of options including seafood bowls, sushi, katsudon, curry, ramen, and soba, making it a versatile choice for any dining occasion.

13. Ajidokoro Azuma

A long-established restaurant specializing in fresh seafood from the Okhotsk Sea, Ajidokoro Azuma is best known for its weekday-only "One Coin Lunch" menu. Diners can choose from three options: the Daily Special Set Meal, the Hot Spring Egg Steak Bowl, or the Seafood Bowl, each offering outstanding quality despite the budget-friendly price.

One of the most popular dishes on the Daily Special Set Meal is the Curry Rice. Although Azuma is famous for its seafood, many locals visit specifically for this curry. The rich, flavorful roux contains generous chunks of beef, and what's even better is that extra curry sauce is free of charge. The portion sizes range from small, medium, to large, but even the standard serving is incredibly filling.

Beyond the one-coin lunch menu, Azuma also offers a variety of seafood dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Seasonal specialties include Fugu Nabe (pufferfish hot pot), Oyster Nabe, and Salmon Hot Pot, while the sukiyaki and shabu-shabu feature high-quality beef from Monbetsu’s Komukai Farm. No matter what you choose, you’re guaranteed a satisfying meal.

14. Toankuru

With a spectacular oceanfront view of the Okhotsk Sea, Café & Restaurant To Uncle is a popular lunch spot in Monbetsu. The retro-style interior is cozy and welcoming, and at lunchtime, it fills up with local women enjoying their meals. From the windows, you can see the Okhotsk Sea, the giant crab monument, and Okhotsk Tower—and if you're lucky, you might even spot drift ice floating on the sea.

The menu at To Uncle features a variety of Western-style dishes, with a monthly ranking board showcasing the most popular menu items to help diners choose. One dish that consistently ranks every month is the Grilled Chicken, a local favorite for lunch in Monbetsu.

This dish features tender chicken thigh meat covered in a slightly spicy, flavorful sauce that adds a gourmet touch. The sauce is so delicious that some fans even pour it over their rice! With a selection of desserts and coffee, To Uncle is a great place to enjoy a leisurely meal from lunch through to tea time.

◎ Summary

From cafés with breathtaking ocean views to restaurants serving the freshest seafood and beloved Western-style eateries, Monbetsu is home to a variety of exceptional lunch spots. While the city is famous for its winter drift ice, Monbetsu also offers a range of activities such as canoeing on Lake Komuke and fishing cruises aboard the Garinko II icebreaker. Both food and adventure in Monbetsu are deeply connected to the gifts of the Okhotsk Sea and its vast landscapes. So, after indulging in a delicious lunch, make the most of your time exploring Monbetsu’s attractions!

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Enjoy lunch at popular restaurants in Monbetsu, the town of drift ice! 14 recommended lunch spots