おかず

Writing

Can be written as 御菜(おかず) or 御数(おかず), but hiragana is most common.

Japanese meal structure

A traditional Japanese meal consists of:

• ご飯(はん) (rice) - the main staple
• 汁(しる)物(もの) (soup, e.g., 味噌汁(みそしる))
• おかず (side dishes) - the accompaniments

Common expressions

• ご飯(はん)のおかず (side dish for rice)
• おかずになる (to serve as a side dish)
• 今日(きょう)のおかず (today's side dish)

Related words

• 惣菜(そうざい) (prepared dishes, deli food)
• 副菜(ふくさい) (side dish - formal)
• 主菜(しゅさい) (main dish)