1.
appetizer; small dish served automatically at an izakaya or bar
A small dish of food that is served automatically when you sit down at an izakaya or bar, similar to a cover charge. The customer does not order it.
2.
pushing out; thrusting out
The act of pushing or thrusting something outward. Also used in sumo wrestling for a technique of pushing the opponent out of the ring.
In sense 1, 突き出し refers to the small appetizer dish automatically served at Japanese izakaya and bars. It functions as a cover charge — the cost is added to the bill regardless of whether the customer wants it. This practice surprises some visitors to Japan.
Common collocations
Similar words
- お通し: appetizer — same meaning as sense 1, more common in eastern Japan; 突き出し is more common in western Japan
- 前菜: appetizer — a general term for starters at a restaurant, usually ordered by the customer
Cultural note
The 突き出し system is unique to Japanese dining culture. It typically costs 300-500 yen and serves as both a snack and a seat charge. Some tourists find it confusing since it appears on the bill without being ordered.