21 Phrases for Talking About Food
Food is one of the most enjoyable and popular subjects for conversation in any language! Whether you’re ordering in a restaurant, describing a dish you cooked, or sharing culinary experiences, having a rich vocabulary is key. Mastering these 21 phrases for talking about food will help you describe flavors, textures, and meal experiences like a native speaker.
We’ve organized these phrases into four key areas: Describing Taste and Flavor, Describing Texture and Quality, Expressing Preferences, and Discussing Meals and Dining.
Describing Taste and Flavor 😋
Use these specific adjectives and phrases to go beyond “good” and accurately describe what you are eating.
1. It has a rich, intense flavor. Rich refers to food that is heavy, full, and satisfying, often used for sauces, chocolate, or deep broth. Intense means strong.
- Example: “This dark chocolate cake has a rich, intense flavor; a small slice is enough.”
2. It’s savory. Savory means salty or spicy (not sweet). It’s often used to describe main courses or non-dessert items.
- Example: “The main course was a bit plain, but the sauce was wonderfully savory.”
3. It’s too bland. Bland means lacking flavor, seasoning, or excitement. It is usually a negative description.
- Example: “The boiled chicken was too bland; it needed more salt and herbs.”
4. It has a smoky undertone. An undertone (or hint) is a subtle, secondary flavor that is not immediately obvious. Smoky is a common descriptor.
- Example: “This grilled steak has a smoky undertone, probably from the wood fire.”
5. It’s got a kick to it! This is a casual, energetic phrase meaning the food is spicy or pungent.
- Example: “Be careful with that chili sauce; it’s got a kick to it!“
6. It’s mouth-watering. This means the food looks, smells, or tastes so good that it makes you salivate.
- Example: “The smell of fresh baking bread is always mouth-watering.”
Describing Texture and Quality 🍴
Use these phrases to describe how the food feels in your mouth and its general quality.
7. The meat is tender. Tender means easy to cut or chew; the opposite of tough. It’s a high compliment for meat.
- Example: “The slow-cooked pork is tender and falls apart easily.”
8. It’s crispy/crunchy. Crispy (used for surfaces like fried skin) and crunchy (used for substances like nuts or vegetables) describe food that makes noise when you bite it.
- Example: “The lettuce was fresh and crispy, and the croutons were crunchy.”
9. The texture is smooth and creamy. Smooth and creamy are used for liquids, purees, soups, or desserts that have no lumps or graininess.
- Example: “This tomato soup has been blended perfectly; the texture is smooth and creamy.“
10. It’s quite tough/chewy. Tough means hard to chew (negative, especially for meat). Chewy can be positive (for cookies) or negative (for old bread).
- Example: “The beef was quite tough; I think it needed to be cooked longer.”
11. It’s gone stale. Stale is used specifically for bread, cakes, or cookies that are no longer fresh, usually because they are dry and hard.
- Example: “Don’t eat those cookies; they’ve gone stale.”
Expressing Preferences and Opinions 🤔
Use these phrases to share your personal likes and dislikes about food.
12. I’m trying to cut back on sugar. To cut back on something means to reduce your consumption of it.
- Example: “No dessert for me, thank you. I’m trying to cut back on sugar.“
13. I’m not a big fan of seafood. This is a polite way to say you dislike something without being too negative or dramatic.
- Example: “I’m not a big fan of seafood, but I love chicken.”
14. I could eat this every day. This is a casual, enthusiastic way to say you love a particular dish very much.
- Example: “Your pasta dish is amazing! I could eat this every day.“
15. I’m craving [Food]. Craving means having a very strong desire for a specific type of food.
- Example: “It’s been a hard day. I’m craving a big slice of pizza.”
16. I have a sweet tooth. An idiom meaning you love sweet foods, like candy, cake, and dessert.
- Example: “I can never refuse chocolate; I have a sweet tooth.“
Discussing Meals and Dining 🍽️
These phrases relate to the actions of eating and the general quality of a dining experience.
17. The portion sizes are huge. Portion sizes refer to the amount of food served on a plate. This is often used for restaurant meals.
- Example: “I can’t finish this. The portion sizes are huge here.”
18. I’ll just pick at my food. To pick at food means to eat only small amounts slowly, usually because you aren’t very hungry or don’t like the meal.
- Example: “I ate a big lunch, so I’ll just pick at my food during dinner.”
19. This is comfort food for me. Comfort food is a dish that makes you feel happy, nostalgic, or satisfied, often linked to childhood or difficult times.
- Example: “Macaroni and cheese is comfort food for me.”
20. I’m stuffed. A very casual and common phrase meaning you are completely full and cannot eat any more.
- Example: “That was delicious, but I’m stuffed! I couldn’t possibly eat dessert.”
21. We went out for a bite to eat. To go out for a bite to eat is a casual way to say you went out for a meal, especially a quick or casual one.
- Example: “We were too tired to cook, so we went out for a bite to eat at a local diner.”
Quick Tips for Talking About Food
- Be Descriptive: When using these 21 phrases for talking about food, try to pair adjectives. Don’t just say “The steak was good”; say “The steak was tender and had a smoky undertone.”
- Use Phrasal Verbs: Phrases like “cut back on” and “pick at” sound very natural in everyday conversation.
- Know Your Audience: When using phrases like “It’s got a kick to it” or “I’m stuffed,” ensure you are in a casual setting, as they are not formal.
By practicing these 21 phrases for talking about food, you’ll be able to express yourself clearly and enthusiastically, whether you are hosting a dinner or chatting about your favorite restaurant.
Which phrase best indicates that you really want a specific food item right now?
