snack to have with a drink; side dish
Polite form of つまみ, commonly used for small dishes served with alcohol, such as at izakaya. Also used more broadly for any light snack or side dish.
See also: つまみ
I ordered edamame as a snack with my beer.
All the side dishes at this restaurant are delicious.
おつまみ is the polite, common shop/menu word for drinking snacks, whereas 肴 sounds more old-fashioned or literary and covers non-food 'entertainment' as well.
Applies to each form listed below
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Polite prefix お- added to つまみ, the noun form of 摘む (つまむ, 'to pick up with fingers'), referring to finger food.