Translation guide
In Japanese cuisine, a side dish is typically a small, savory accompaniment to rice, often referred to as おかず (okazu). The concept extends to Western-style sides and specific dish types.
The most common, everyday term for any savory food eaten with rice as part of a Japanese meal.
The standard word for a side dish in Japanese cuisine. It refers to any savory food (meat, fish, vegetables, etc.) that accompanies rice. Often used in home cooking and casual settings.
What's the side dish today?
When there are many side dishes, the rice goes down well.
Refers to prepared side dishes, often bought ready-made at supermarkets or delis. It can also mean home-cooked side dishes, but has a nuance of being a prepared food item.
Let's buy some side dishes at the supermarket and go home.
When referring to a side dish as part of a structured meal, such as a teishoku (set meal) or kaiseki.
Literally 'secondary dish'. Used in nutritional contexts or when describing the composition of a balanced meal (main dish, side dish, soup). Common in recipes and dietary guidelines.
Having a staple food, main dish, and side dish improves nutritional balance.
Refers to a garnish or side that accompanies the main item on a plate, such as vegetables next to a grilled fish or a steak. Often used in Western-style or restaurant plating.
When the side dish is a small plate meant to accompany alcohol, similar to tapas.
Snacks or small dishes eaten while drinking alcohol. Not necessarily eaten with rice, but functions as a side dish in a drinking context.
I ordered edamame as a snack with my beer.
A more traditional or literary term for food eaten with alcohol. Often used in the phrase '酒の肴' (sake no sakana).
When referring to a side dish in a Western meal context, such as fries, salad, or coleslaw.
A loanword from English, used in restaurants or when talking about Western food. It is understood but not as common in home cooking contexts.
I chose fries as a side dish for my hamburger.
Also used for Western-style meals when discussing nutritional balance, but less common in casual conversation.
おかず is the everyday word for any savory food eaten with rice. 副菜 is a technical term used in nutrition and meal planning, emphasizing the role of the dish in a balanced meal. 付け合わせ refers specifically to the garnish or side placed next to the main item on a plate, often in Western or restaurant settings.
おかず implies a savory dish. If you want to refer to a sweet side dish or dessert, use デザート or 甘いもの instead.
The steak came with steamed vegetables as a side dish.
This dish is perfect as a snack with sake.
今日の夕食は、メインが魚で、副菜にサラダをつけます。
For tonight's dinner, the main is fish, and I'll add a salad as a side dish.