1.
deli; prepared-food shop; side-dish store
A shop that sells ready-made dishes and side dishes for takeout. These stores typically offer a variety of cooked foods such as fried items, salads, simmered dishes, and rice balls.
駅前の総菜屋で買い物をした。
I shopped at the deli in front of the station.
あの総菜屋のコロッケはとても人気がある。
The croquettes at that deli are very popular.
忙しい日は総菜屋で夕飯のおかずを買って帰ることが多い。
On busy days, I often buy side dishes for dinner at the deli on my way home.
Compound of 総菜 (side dishes, prepared food) + 屋 (shop/store). Refers to shops specializing in ready-made dishes for takeout.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 総菜屋で買う: to buy at a deli
- 町の総菜屋: neighborhood deli
- 手作り総菜屋: handmade-food shop
CULTURAL NOTE:
Traditional 総菜屋 have long been a staple of Japanese neighborhoods, offering affordable home-style cooking. While supermarket deli sections (惣菜コーナー) and convenience stores have taken over much of this role, independent 総菜屋 remain popular for their quality and personal touch.
SIMILAR TERMS:
- 惣菜: the prepared food itself (惣 and 総 are variant kanji)
- 弁当屋: boxed-lunch shop