Lunch at Bistrot le Cochon

Whenever we have the opportunity we are quick to jump at the chance of lunch at Bistrot le Cochon in Kutchan. Their 900¥ pasta set lunch and 1000¥ set lunch are extraordinarily good value.

We’ve been there so many times now as we don’t even get asked what we would like, we always go for one of each. There is one starter to start both sets. Today it’s a generous slice of set pork rillettes. It’s so full of flavor, a little bit salty and held together with all that delicious fat. The slice sits on a mountain of nicely dressed mixed leaves.



Then there's the bread. Warmed crusty baguette sitting in a little basket lined with a blue-and-white check towel, that is re-filled continuously throughout the meal.



The pasta today is spaghetti with tomato and chilli. So simple, but when done this well, it’s an outstanding dish. The spaghetti is cooked just so, a little on the tooth, and coated in a rich roast tomato sauce laced with chopped onions and plenty of garlic with just enough chilli to elevate it to sublime. It’s topped with freshly grated parmesan, cracked black pepper and a parsley pistou.



The other, a lamb braise.   Tender chunks of lamb that indeed taste like they’ve been cooked for hours in a rich meaty and tomato broth. There are tender chunks of broccoli and cauliflower underneath as well as some TAFE precision turned potatoes. There’s also a bit of parsley pistou water falling it’s way down through the pieces of meat.



We just love the little Ricard bottles of water placed on the table, everything about this place is superb.



As the mains are cleared there are two tea’s prepared for us (they also know this thanks to our numerous visits).



And today’s dessert, for a whopping 200¥, is a finger of banana tart. There’s a crumbly short crust base and then the soft banana’s encased in a frangipane like almond filling. Drizzled with a little chocolate, a very nice finish to another outstanding lunch enjoyed at Cochon.



Bistrot le Cochon, closed Tuesdays
1-9, nishi 1 cyo-me, kita 3jyo
Kutchan-cho
Abuta-Gun
Hokkaido
Ph: 050 3549 0034
Mob: 080 5494 0966