主菜(しゅさい)

しゅさい
noun
main dish
foodcooking
1. main dish, main course, entrée
The primary dish in a meal, typically featuring protein such as meat, fish, or tofu. The centerpiece of the meal.
今日(きょう)の主菜(しゅさい)は焼(や)き魚(ざかな)です。
Today's main dish is grilled fish.
主菜(しゅさい)は肉(にく)か魚(さかな)が多(おお)い。
Main dishes are often meat or fish.
主菜(しゅさい)と副菜(ふくさい)のバランスを考(かんが)えて献立(こんだて)を作(つく)ります。
I plan the menu considering the balance of main and side dishes.
和食(わしょく)の献立(こんだて)は主菜(しゅさい)と副菜(ふくさい)のバランスが大切(たいせつ)です。
In a Japanese meal plan, the balance between the main dish and side dishes is important.
今日(きょう)の夕食(ゆうしょく)の主菜(しゅさい)はとんかつにしようと思(おも)って、買(か)い物(もの)に行(い)きました。
I went shopping because I was thinking of making tonkatsu as tonight's main dish.

主(しゅ) = main, 菜(さい) = dish or side dish. The 主菜(しゅさい) is the protein dish of a meal: meat, fish, eggs or tofu.

Cultural note

A standard Japanese meal is described as 主食(しゅしょく) (the staple, rice or bread), 主菜(しゅさい) (the main dish), 副菜(ふくさい) (vegetable side dishes) and 汁物(しるもの) (soup). Nutrition guides and school lunches use these terms.

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 前菜(ぜんさい) (appetizer)
Antonym: 副菜(ふくさい) (side dish)
Related: 主食(しゅしょく) (staple food)
Related: おかず (side dish)
Compare: メインディッシュ (main dish)
Related: 一汁三菜(いちじゅうさんさい) (one soup, three dishes (traditional meal))
core
Added 2026.1.14 22:31 · Revised 2026.9.29 18:11
04500/04995_shusai