Formal — to staff
Izakaya · Restaurant
すみません、このお通しは、何ですか? — Excuse me, what is this "otoshi"? (Izakaya · Restaurant, Formal — to staff, JLPT N4)
You
すみません、このお通しは、何ですか?
すみません、このおとおしは、なんですか?
Excuse me, what is this "otoshi"?
Romaji: Sumimasen, kono otōshi wa, nan desu ka? / Reply Romaji: Otōshi wa, o-sekiryō to shite saisho ni o-dashi suru kobachi desu.
Reply
お通しは、お席料として最初にお出しする小鉢です。
おとおしは、おせきりょうとしてさいしょにおだしするこばちです。
The "otoshi" is a small dish served first as a seating charge.
Gesture & etiquette
Point to the small dish on the table.
It's generally not possible to refuse otoshi as it often functions as a seating charge. Trying to cancel it can be considered rude.