Glossary > Otoshi (tsukidashi)

What is Otoshi (tsukidashi)?

お通し おとおし / otoshi

A small appetizer that many izakayas bring to the table when you sit down, without being ordered. It is counted as a table charge, so you pay for it per person at the end. The dish changes daily; it is also called tsukidashi.

How to order and eat it

It is not a free snack and you cannot normally refuse it at a shop that charges for it. The fee is usually a few hundred yen per person. If you are unsure, ask the staff when you are seated.

Dietary notes

It can contain anything, often seafood, pork or alcohol. If you cannot eat it, tell the staff right away.

This is a general description, and recipes vary by shop. If you have an allergy or follow a diet, ask the staff before you order.