Otsumami: The Snack-like Origin of the Word "Sakana"

Sakana (肴^?) or shukō (酒肴^?) is a Japanese term referring to food eaten as an accompaniment to alcohol. Sakana may also be referred to as otsumami; this term usually applies to smaller dishes. Because fish, especially dried fish, was a popular choice for these dishes, over the years the term sakana also came to mean "fish".

Listed below are some common sakana.

• Yakitori - grilled skewers of chicken and chicken parts
• Kushiyaki - grilled skewers of meat or vegetables
• Sashimi - slices of raw fish
• Tsukemono - pickles
• Kimchi - spicy Korean pickles

Small snacks

• Atarime / Ika Ichiya-boshi - Dried squid
• Ei-hire - dried skate
• Seaweed
• Cheese
• Peanuts
• Arare - crackers made primarily from rice flour with other ingredients
• Tatami Iwashi - small dried sardines pressed into a cracker-like square form.