Food is a universal language, and being able to talk about it in English opens up a world of culinary experiences and conversations. Whether you’re ordering at a restaurant, sharing a meal with friends, or simply discussing food on social media, having a rich vocabulary for describing flavors and dietary preferences is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore 30 ways to talk about food in English, from expressing how a dish tastes to discussing different diets and cooking methods. So, grab a seat at the table and let’s dive into the delicious world of food conversation in English!
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How to Talk about Food in English
In order to help you in various situations involving food, we will provide you with 30 different ways to discuss food in English. These phrases will enable you to confidently order food at restaurants, engage in conversations at dinner parties, and leave comments on your friends’ Instagram food posts.
Ready? Let’s get started!
List of Lesson Topics
How’s It Taste?
- Taste is great!
- Really good!
- Wow, [this food] is amazing!
- Yummy
- Flavorful
- Mouth-watering
- This [food] is too [flavor] for me. / This taste is too [flavor] for my taste.
- It could use a little more / It could use a little less…
- This tastes different. I think I prefer [something else].
What’s Your Diet?
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Flexitarian
- Trying to lose weight
- Low-carb diet
- A balanced diet
What Do You Usually Eat?
- Fast food
- Home-cooked meal
- One-pot meal
- Microwave meal
- Dessert
- To have a sweet tooth
- To eat healthy
How Do You Like Your Chicken?
- Fried or deep-fried
- Grilled
- Roast
- Crunchy
How Do You Like Your Eggs?
- Scrambled
- Poached
- Sunny-side up
- Boiled
How’s It Taste?
1.Taste is great!
Currently enjoying something delicious? Use this phrase to say so.
- I’m so glad I ordered this burger—it tastes great!
- Really good!
Here’s another way to say something is delicious.
- Have you tried the pasta dish? It’s really good!
- Wow, [this food] is amazing!
If something exceeds your expectations in terms of taste, you can use “wow” to convey your surprise. By saying it’s amazing, you’re emphasizing that it’s even better than great or really good.
- Wow, this sushi roll is amazing!
- Yummy
This is an informal way to express that something tastes good. If you find something delicious, you can simply say “Yummy!” or expand upon it with a sentence.
- This ice cream is so yummy. I’m going to have another scoop!
- Flavorful
This adjective is great for describing food that is rich in flavor or has a pleasant taste and aroma.
- I love how flavorful this curry is with all the spices and herbs in it.
- Mouth-watering
This is the perfect word to describe something that is so delicious and flavorful that it makes your mouth water.
- Her homemade cookies are so mouth-watering that I can’t resist having more.
There may be occasions when you don’t particularly enjoy the taste of a certain food. However, you don’t want to simply say “Yuck!” (an informal word expressing dislike) and offend the cook or your hosts.
So, how can you express your opinion without sounding impolite?
- This [food] is too [flavor] for me. / This taste is too [flavor] for my taste.
This is a polite way to explain that the food doesn’t suit your taste without blaming the cook. It’s just a matter of personal preference.
- It’s so kind of you to make this dish, but it’s a bit too spicy for me.
- It could use a little more / It could use a little less…
Use this phrase to suggest that you would prefer the food with slightly different flavors.
- This soup is delicious, but it could use a little more salt to enhance the taste.
- This tastes different. I think I prefer [something else].
If something tastes new or unfamiliar, you can politely mention another food that you prefer or enjoy more.
- This type of tea tastes different. I think I prefer the green tea instead.
What’s Your Diet?
- Vegetarian
A vegetarian diet consists of vegetables, fruits, and non-meat items like tofu, nuts, etc.
- I’ve been following a vegetarian diet for years, and I don’t miss eating meat at all.
- Vegan
A vegan diet is similar to a vegetarian diet, but it excludes dairy products and any food derived from animals, including honey.
- My cousin and I try a new vegan recipe every month.
- Flexitarian
A flexitarian incorporates some meat into their diet but limits its consumption. Their diet is flexible.
- Although my older sister is a flexitarian, she tends to choose vegetarian options when we eat out.
- Trying to lose weight
When you’re trying to lose weight, you’re aiming to become thinner.
- I often opt for a salad for lunch because I’m trying to lose weight.
- Low-carb diet
A low-carb diet involves reducing the intake of carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, pancakes, and cookies.
- That slice of pizza looks tempting, but I’m on a low-carb diet.
- A balanced diet
Many people strive to maintain a balanced diet, which includes foods from each of the main food groups, such as grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and meat.
- To stay healthy, I exercise, cycle to work, and maintain a balanced diet.
What Do You Usually Eat?
This is one of the most common questions people ask each other, and it’s always interesting to hear everyone’s responses.
- Fast food
Fast food is readily available at restaurants like McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A. It typically includes items such as burgers, sandwiches, French fries, and soda.
- When Jenny is busy with her job, she usually ends up eating fast food.
- Home-cooked meal
A home-cooked meal is a fresh, delicious dish prepared and enjoyed at home.
- After a long day, I crave the comfort of a home-cooked meal like my grandmother’s famous chicken pot pie.
- One-pot meal
A one-pot meal is a convenient solution for busy evenings. All ingredients are cooked together in a single pot, minimizing dishes and maximizing flavor.
- I love one-pot meals like pasta e fagioli because they’re simple and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Microwave meal
A microwave meal is a pre-packaged food that cooks quickly in the microwave. It’s an easy option for those pressed for time.
- When I’m rushing to work, I sometimes grab a microwave meal for a quick and easy breakfast.
- Dessert
Dessert is the sweet dish that completes a meal. It’s served and eaten at the end of a meal.
- I always save room for dessert, especially when it’s a chocolate ice cream.
- To have a sweet tooth
Someone who has a sweet tooth enjoys eating sweet food very much.
- My brother has a serious sweet tooth. He can’t resist a good slice of chocolate cake!
- To eat healthy
Eating healthy means choosing food that is good for your body and promote well-being.
- To eat healthy, I try to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in my diet.
How Do You Like Your Chicken?
- Fried or deep-fried
Fried chicken is cooked in hot oil, often resulting in a crispy exterior. Deep-fried chicken uses a larger amount of oil than traditional frying. People usually say fried chicken instead of deep-fried chicken because the word is shorter and easier to say.
- Southern-style fried chicken is a classic food. It’s always best when it’s extra crispy!
- Grilled
Grilled chicken is cooked directly over a heated grill, imparting a smoky flavor.
- There’s nothing better than a juicy grilled chicken breast with a side of grilled vegetables.
- Roast
Roast chicken is cooked in an oven, often with herbs and spices for added flavor.
- A roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots is a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Crunchy
If you deep-fry your chicken well, it’ll be crunchy. It will make a crunching, cracking sound when you bite and chew on it.
- That fried chicken I had for dinner was so crunchy and delicious.
How Do You Like Your Eggs?
- Scrambled
Scrambled eggs are cooked by stirring and mixing them together while heating.
- Scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach are my go-to breakfast. They’re quick, easy, and packed with protein.
- Poached
Poached eggs are cooked in simmering water, creating a soft and delicate egg with a runny yolk.
- A poached egg on avocado toast is a delicious option.
- Sunny-side up
Sunny-side up eggs are fried on one side only, leaving the yolk intact and resembling the sun.
- My kids love sunny-side up eggs because they like to see the bright yellow yolks.
- Boiled
Boiled eggs are cooked in boiling water for a set time, resulting in a firm yolk and white.
- Boiled eggs are a perfect snack or a healthy addition to a salad.
Conclusion
Food is an amazing way to connect with others and form friendships. Sharing a meal often leads to lively discussions about food, restaurants, and recipes that can go on for ages. Food is an important topic of conversation to master. With a healthy food vocabulary, you’ll not only have valuable conversations with native English speakers, but you’ll also explore their culture through cuisine.
Remember, the more you practice, the more natural you’ll sound. Happy learning and good luck!
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