菜さい

noun

side dish; vegetable dish

Refers to a dish served alongside the main staple (rice, bread, etc.), often a vegetable or small prepared item. Common in compounds like おかず (お菜) and 総菜.

• 今日きょうの菜さいは、ほうれん草そうのおひたしです。

  Today's side dish is spinach dressed with soy sauce.

• この定てい食しょくには、ご飯はんと味み噌そ汁しると菜さいが二に品ひんつきます。

  This set meal comes with rice, miso soup, and two side dishes.