Eating out: Expressing your likes and dislikes of food — ESL lesson

Food is a universal language that brings people together, and being able to describe it vividly enhances both communication and cultural understanding. This short guide provides a list of vocabulary for foods, including fruits, vegetables, main dishes, proteins (meats), drinks, and desserts, along with adjectives, cooking styles, and phrases to express preferences.

Whether you’re a beginner learning to share your likes or an advanced learner aiming to describe flavors with flair, this resource equips you with the tools to talk about food confidently and naturally.

Vocabulary for foods

• Fruits: apple, banana, orange, strawberry, mango, pineapple, grape, watermelon, kiwi, pomegranate, persimmon, dragon fruit, papaya, blackberry, peach, fig
• Vegetables: carrot, tomato, potato, onion, lettuce, cucumber, broccoli, pepper, artichoke, asparagus, kale, zucchini, eggplant, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, leek
• Main dishes: rice, pasta, bread, pizza, burger, sandwich, soup, salad, steak, chicken, risotto, sushi, curry, lasagna, stir-fry, quinoa bowl, paella, taco
• Meats/proteins: chicken, beef, fish, pork, lamb, salmon, tofu, shrimp, duck, venison, tempeh
• Drinks: water, juice, milk, tea, coffee, soda, smoothie, espresso, kombucha, herbal tea, sparkling water, latte
• Desserts/snacks: cake, ice cream, chocolate, cookie, chips, candy, tiramisu, macarons, baklava, gelato, granola, dark chocolate, scone
• Adjectives for taste/texture: sweet, salty, spicy, sour, bitter, delicious, tasty, yummy, gross, crunchy, soft, creamy, fresh, savory, tangy, zesty, aromatic, velvety, crisp, succulent, bland, pungent, rich, decadent, refreshing, greasy, earthy
• Cooking styles: grilled, roasted, sautéed, steamed, braised, baked, raw, pan-fried, fried

Phrases to express likes

Beginner phrases

• I like [food]. (e.g., I like pizza.)
• I love [food]! (e.g., I love ice cream!)
• [Food] is delicious/yummy. (e.g., Chocolate is yummy.)
• My favorite food is [food]. (e.g., My favorite food is pasta.)
• I enjoy eating [food]. (e.g., I enjoy eating apples.)

More advanced phrases

• I’m a big fan of [food]. (e.g., I’m a big fan of sushi.)
• I absolutely adore [food]. (e.g., I absolutely adore dark chocolate.)
• [Food] is right up my alley. (e.g., Spicy curry is right up my alley.)
• I have a soft spot for [food]. (e.g., I have a soft spot for homemade pasta.)
• There’s nothing better than [food]. (e.g., There’s nothing better than a warm scone.)
• I find [food] incredibly [adjective]. (e.g., I find gelato incredibly creamy.)

Phrases to express dislikes

Beginner phrases

• I don’t like [food]. (e.g., I don’t like broccoli.)
• I hate [food]. (e.g., I hate onions.)
• [Food] is not tasty/good. (e.g., Fish is not tasty.)
• I don’t eat [food]. (e.g., I don’t eat pork.)
• [Food] is gross. (e.g., Spinach is gross.)

More advanced phases

• I’m not a fan of [food]. (e.g., I’m not a fan of kale.)
• [Food] isn’t my cup of tea. (e.g., Raw fish isn’t my cup of tea.)
• I can’t stand [food]. (e.g., I can’t stand greasy fast food.)
• [Food] leaves a bad taste in my mouth. (e.g., Overcooked vegetables leave a bad taste in my mouth.)
• I’d rather avoid [food]. (e.g., I’d rather avoid pungent cheeses.)
• [Food] doesn’t appeal to me because [reason]. (e.g., Brussels sprouts don’t appeal to me because they’re too bitter.)

Phrases to describe food

• It tastes [adjective]. (e.g., It tastes sweet.)
• It’s too [adjective]. (e.g., It’s too spicy.)
• It’s very [adjective]. (e.g., It’s very crunchy.)
• I like [food] because it’s [adjective]. (e.g., I like cake because it’s sweet.)
• I don’t like [food] because it’s [adjective]. (e.g., I don’t like soup because it’s boring.)
• The flavor of [food] is [adjective]. (e.g., The flavor of risotto is rich and savory.)
• [Food] has a [adjective] texture/taste. (e.g., Baklava has a crisp, sweet texture.)
• It’s prepared in a way that’s [adjective]. (e.g., It’s prepared in a way that’s perfectly succulent.)
• I enjoy [food] for its [adjective] quality. (e.g., I enjoy roasted lamb for its tender quality.)
• The [adjective] aroma of [food] is [adjective]. (e.g., The savory aroma of fresh coffee is invigorating.)
• [Food] strikes a perfect balance between [adjective] and [adjective]. (e.g., This dish strikes a perfect balance between spicy and tangy.)

Example sentences

• I’m a huge fan of grilled artichokes because their smoky, earthy flavor is simply divine.
• I can’t stand overly greasy foods like fried chicken; they feel heavy and unappealing.
• There’s nothing better than a velvety tiramisu to end a meal on a decadent note.
• Sushi isn’t my cup of tea due to its raw texture, but I respect its artistry.
• The tangy zest of a well-made kombucha is incredibly refreshing on a hot day.
• I find roasted cauliflower delightful because it brings out a nutty, caramelized flavor.
• I’m a huge fan of grilled artichokes because their smoky, earthy flavor is simply divine.
• I can’t stand overly greasy foods like fried chicken; they feel heavy and unappealing.
• There’s nothing better than a velvety tiramisu to end a meal on a decadent note.
• Sushi isn’t my cup of tea due to its raw texture, but I respect its artistry.
• The tangy zest of a well-made kombucha is incredibly refreshing on a hot day.
• I find roasted cauliflower delightful because it brings out a nutty, caramelized flavor.

Idiomatic expressions and collocations

• To have a taste for: I’ve developed a taste for exotic fruits like dragon fruit.
• Mouth-watering: The sight of freshly baked macarons is absolutely mouth-watering.
• Hit the spot: A cold smoothie really hits the spot after a workout.
• An acquired taste: Blue cheese is an acquired taste, but I’ve grown to love it.
• Sick of: I’m sick of eating bland, overcooked vegetables.
• Crave: I’m craving something savory, like a bowl of spicy ramen.

Example dialogues

Beginners

• Person A: Hi! Do you like pizza?
  Person B: Yes, I like pizza! It’s yummy. My favorite food is pizza with pepperoni.
  A: Nice! I love pizza too. It’s very tasty. Do you like spicy pizza?
  B: No, I don’t like spicy food. It’s too spicy for me. What’s your favorite food?
  A: My favorite food is pasta. I enjoy eating creamy pasta.
  B: Mmm, pasta is delicious!
• A: Do you want to get lunch?
  B: Sure! I’m in the mood for a sandwich.
  A: Great! I like sandwiches because they’re crunchy and fresh. Do you like chicken sandwiches?
  B: Yes, I love chicken sandwiches! But I don’t eat pork.
  A: No problem. Let’s go to a café. They have good chicken sandwiches.
  B: Sounds yummy!
• A: What food do you like?
  B: I like rice and chicken. But I don’t like broccoli. It’s gross.
  A: Really? I love broccoli! It’s very crunchy. Do you like other vegetables?
  B: Yes, I like carrots. They’re sweet. What food do you hate?
  A: I hate onions. They’re not tasty.
  B: Haha, I don’t like onions either!

More advanced

• A: What kind of food are you into these days?
  B: I’ve been obsessed with Mediterranean dishes, especially hummus with its creamy, nutty flavor. What about you?
  A: I’m not big on spicy foods, but I can’t resist a well-made paella. The combination of saffron and seafood is just divine.
  B: Oh, paella’s amazing! I’m not a fan of overly fishy flavors, though, so I prefer chicken-based ones.
• A: Do you want to go get something for lunch?
  B: Sure. What are you in the mood for?
  A: I’ve got a taste for Mexican food.
  B: Oh, that sounds good. I really like Mexican.
  A: Sounds great. Let’s meet at Abuelita’s Mexican Restuarant at one.

Tips for learners

• Practice with a partner: Read the dialogues aloud with a friend or language partner to build confidence.
• Add your own preferences: Personalize the dialogues by using your real likes and dislikes.
• Use gestures or tone: Emphasize words like “yummy” or “gross” with enthusiastic or exaggerated tones to make it fun and natural.
• Practice using adjectives to describe specific qualities (e.g., “savory” instead of “good”).
• Incorporate idiomatic expressions like “not my cup of tea” to sound more natural.
• Use complex sentences with “because,” “although,” or “since” to explain preferences (e.g., “I love risotto since it has a rich, comforting texture.”).
• Experiment with describing preparation methods (e.g., “I prefer grilled salmon over baked because it’s crispier.”).
• Ask questions like: “What dish do you find irresistible?” or “Is there any food you can’t stand?”

Conclusion

Mastering food-related vocabulary opens the door to richer conversations and a deeper appreciation of culinary experiences. By practicing the words, phrases, and idiomatic expressions in this guide, you can express your tastes with precision and personality. From describing the succulent aroma of grilled artichokes to confessing your aversion to pungent cheeses, these tools will help you navigate food discussions with ease. Keep experimenting with new flavors and phrases, and soon you’ll be sharing your culinary passions like a native speaker! Questions or comments? Use the comment section below.