Why an appetizer appears before you order
At many Japanese izakaya—casual pubs where people gather for drinks and shared dishes—a small plate called otoshi arrives soon after guests sit down. It is usually brought without being ordered, and its cost is added to the bill for each person.
The plate is part of the way the pub charges for a seat, not simply a free sample. In Japan, this kind of seating charge is often called sekiryō or otōshidai. Serving a small dish along with it gives the charge something tangible: food to nibble while the group looks over the menu or waits for its first order.
A small dish, with a real cost
Otoshi can be a modest portion of whatever the kitchen is serving—perhaps a vegetable side, simmered food, or another small appetizer. What arrives varies by establishment, and the charge is typically separate from the dishes guests choose later. Because it is customary, staff may bring it automatically rather than asking each person whether they want one.
That custom can surprise visitors who assume every plate on the table was ordered. If you want to know what the otoshi costs, check the menu or ask before settling in; policies and prices differ from pub to pub. The useful thing to remember is that the first little dish may be part of the price of taking a seat, even before the meal itself begins.
