Table fees. What in the world is that? You may notice it as a small print on some foreign
First, a quick Japanese lesson
Don’t try and put that word in Google Translate, it won’t work. You’ll need to head over to Jisho.org, which if you are learning Japanese, you should have saved in your favorites. お通し (Otoshi – long middle “o”) simply means appetizer. Over in Kansai, apparently, they use 突出し (tsukidashi) instead but it means the same thing. However, it means so much more than just appetizer.
What is Otoshi?
You’ll most likely receive Otoshi in izakayas. Yes, receive. Don’t be that weird foreigner that tries to turn it away. Rare occasions it might be just some edamame. They are usually something special the shop made and amazing. Most places in Japan are very tiny, there’s normally one or two people working and that means they’re doing everything. Having food with your drinks is customary and you’re food might take awhile so otoshi is there to tide you over.
This happens to be one of my favorite otoshi. Cabbage, cucumber and miso paste. It’s from Jitokko Kokumiai, one of my favorite chain izakayas. They are owned by a conglomerate that makes farm-to-table a priority in their business model. Specializing in food from Miyazaki prefecture, this miso paste is some of the best you will ever try.
Some places will have a small salad (think macaroni), I’ve seen small fish dishes, meatballs, the like. Think of it like bread at an Italian place or chips at a Mexican place in the states. Except you are paying for it and it’s not going to kill your appetite but wet it.
So, how much is the “fee”?
The Otoshi at Jitokko is 360 円 a person. Usually it will be around 300 – 700 yen depending on what you get. Remember though, you don’t tip in Japan so you could consider it to be like that. However, not everywhere has one and I’ve seen some places that flat out just charge you for sitting. That was in Tokyo and I don’t blame them when the rent is so high.
What are your thoughts on this custom? Leave me a comment below.