Food Culture

How to enjoy Japanese food with confidence—ordering, etiquette, local specialties, and “what locals do.”

: What “Otoshi” Means in Japan: The Small Starter Served With Your First Drink

2026/3/1

When you sit down at an izakaya in Japan, a small dish may arrive before you even choose any food. That small starter is often called otoshi. If it’s your first time, it can feel uncomfortable—like something you never ordered, or an extra charge you didn’t expect. But in Japan, otoshi is often treated as part of how an izakaya meal begins, especially in places where drinking is assumed. This guide explains when otoshi usually appears (and why lunch feels different), how it connects to the first drink flow, and how many locals think about it. Once you understand the ...

Food Culture