Why is food a common topic in the IELTS exam?

Food is a universal subject that everyone can relate to. It is commonly featured in IELTS Speaking and Writing tasks, as it allows examiners to assess vocabulary range, descriptive ability, and fluency.

How can I improve my food-related vocabulary for IELTS?

You can improve by reading food blogs, watching cooking shows, and practising describing meals in detail.

Can I use idioms in my IELTS Speaking test?

Yes, idioms like “a piece of cake” or “mouth-watering aroma” can make your answers more engaging. However, use them naturally and avoid forcing them into your speech.

What are some common food-related questions in IELTS?

You may be asked about your favourite dish, eating habits, food trends, or whether you prefer home-cooked meals over restaurant food.

Will using complex food vocabulary improve my IELTS score?

Yes, using precise and varied vocabulary helps improve your Lexical Resource score.

Food Vocabulary for IELTS: Words, Meanings, and Examples

Food Vocabulary for IELTS

Food is more than just sustenance—it’s a cultural phenomenon. Food is everywhere, from Gordon Ramsay’s fiery critiques in MasterChef to the mouthwatering dishes showcased in Chef’s Table. That’s exactly why it’s a hot topic in the IELTS exam, too!

Whether you're describing a comforting home-cooked meal or debating the rise of fast food chains like McDonald's, having a strong food-related vocabulary can make your responses more vivid and impressive. For instance, instead of simply saying, “Fast food is unhealthy,” you could say, “While convenient, fast food is often loaded with trans fats and preservatives, making it a less nutritious option for regular consumption.”

See how a pinch of the right words can add flavour to your answers?

But if this sounds like a lot to remember, don’t worry!

We’ve got you covered!

In this blog, we’ll explore essential food vocabulary, covering flavours, textures, cooking techniques, and global cuisines. Plus, you’ll get sample responses and tips to naturally incorporate these words into your IELTS exam answers.

List of Food Vocabulary for IELTS

A strong food-related vocabulary can help you articulate your ideas effectively in the IELTS Speaking and Writing sections.

Below is a categorized list of essential food vocabulary with examples to help you express yourself fluently. Using these words in your IELTS responses will help you sound more natural and well-prepared. Try incorporating them into your speaking and writing practice!

1. Flavors & Taste

Word	Meaning	Example
Sweet	Having a sugary taste	"Mangoes are naturally sweet and refreshing in summer."
Sour	Sharp, acidic taste	"Lemons add a sour kick to many dishes."
Bitter	Sharp, sometimes unpleasant taste	"Dark chocolate has a slightly bitter aftertaste."
Spicy	Strong, hot flavour from spices	"Indian curries are often very spicy."
Savoury	Pleasantly salty or spicy, not sweet	"Pasta with cheese and herbs has a rich, savoury flavour."
Umami	A deep, savoury taste	"Mushrooms and soy sauce add umami to dishes."
Zesty	Refreshingly tangy and lively	"The lemon zest gave the dish a zesty flavour."

2. Textures

Word	Meaning	Example
Crunchy	Firm and makes a noise when eaten	"I love the crunchy texture of nachos."
Crispy	Light and brittle texture	"French fries are best when they are crispy and golden brown."
Soft	Easy to bite and chew	"This cake is so soft and moist."
Chewy	Requires a lot of chewing	"Bagels are dense and chewy compared to regular bread."
Creamy	Smooth and rich in texture	"This pasta sauce is creamy because of the added cheese and butter."
Flaky	Light, thin layers that break easily	"The croissant was perfectly flaky and buttery."
Velvety	Smooth, rich texture	"The chocolate mousse had a velvety texture."
Fibrous	Containing fibres, stringy	"Mangoes have a slightly fibrous texture when overripe."

3. Cooking Methods

Word	Meaning	Example
Boil	Cook in hot water	"You need to boil pasta before adding sauce."
Fry	Cook in hot oil	"She fried the chicken until it turned golden brown."
Grill	Cook over direct heat	"We grilled vegetables for a smoky flavour."
Steam	Cook with steam, without oil	"Steamed dumplings are a healthy option."
Roast	Cook in an oven or overfire	"The roasted potatoes were crispy on the outside and soft inside."
Sear	Quickly cook at high temperature to form a crust	"The chef seared the steak to lock in the juices."
Poach	Gently cook in simmering liquid	"Poached eggs are a healthy breakfast option."
Caramelize	Cook sugar until it turns brown	"Caramelized onions add depth to savoury dishes."
Blanch	Boil briefly, then cool quickly	"Blanching vegetables keeps them vibrant and crisp."

4. Types of Cuisine

Word	Meaning	Example
Italian	Known for pasta, pizza, and cheese-based dishes	"Italian cuisine features dishes like risotto and lasagna."
Chinese	Popular for stir-fries, dumplings, and rice dishes	"Chinese food includes dim sum, fried rice, and hot pot."
Mexican	Spicy dishes with beans, tortillas, and salsa	"Mexican tacos are filled with seasoned meat and fresh vegetables."
Mediterranean	Fresh, healthy ingredients like olive oil and seafood	"Mediterranean cuisine includes dishes like hummus and falafel."
Thai	Uses coconut milk, lemongrass, and spices	"Thai curries are known for their balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors."

5. Meals & Courses

Word	Meaning	Example
Appetizer	Small dish before the main course	"We started our meal with a light appetiser of bruschetta."
Main Course	The largest part of a meal	"For the main course, I had grilled salmon with vegetables."
Dessert	A sweet dish after the meal	"Chocolate cake is my favourite dessert."
Side Dish	Served alongside the main dish	"Garlic bread is a popular side dish with pasta."
Beverage	Drinks such as tea, coffee, or juice	"Lemonade is a refreshing summer beverage."
Entrée	The main course of a meal	"For my entrée, I had grilled sea bass."
Palate Cleanser	A light dish to refresh the taste buds between courses	"A sorbet was served as a palate cleanser."

6. Dietary Preferences & Eating Habits

Word	Meaning	Example
Vegan	No animal products	"She follows a vegan diet and avoids dairy and meat."
Vegetarian	No meat, but may include dairy and eggs	"Vegetarian meals often include plant-based protein sources."
Gluten-free	No wheat or gluten-containing foods	"Gluten-free bread is made with rice or almond flour."
Dairy-free	No milk, cheese, or dairy products	"Many people choose dairy-free milk like almond or soy."
Organic	Grown naturally, without chemicals	"Organic vegetables are healthier as they have no pesticides."
Gastronomy	The study and appreciation of food and cooking	Molecular gastronomy experiments with unique food textures and flavours."

To enhance your IELTS preparation, book a call with Yocket Prep experts for personalized advice, expert tips, and tailored strategies.

Food Vocabulary IELTS: Phrases & Collocations

Instead of relying on basic words, using food-related phrases and collocations can make your responses sound more natural and fluent. Incorporating idiomatic expressions and common word pairings can help you demonstrate lexical range and score a desired band.

Below are some useful phrases and collocations related to food:

1. Common Food-Related Collocations

Collocation	Meaning	Example
Hearty meal	A large, satisfying meal	"After a long hike, we enjoyed a hearty meal of grilled steak and mashed potatoes."
Balanced diet	A diet with the right mix of nutrients	"Maintaining a balanced diet is key to staying healthy."
Home-cooked meal	A meal prepared at home	"I prefer home-cooked meals as they are healthier and more flavorful."
Fast food	Processed food served quickly	"Fast food is convenient but often lacks nutrition."
Junk food	Unhealthy, processed food	"Children should avoid eating too much junk food."
Light snack	A small amount of food between meals	"I had a light snack of fruit and yoghurt before dinner."
Gourmet cuisine	High-quality, sophisticated cooking	"The restaurant is known for its gourmet cuisine and fine dining experience."

2. Phrases for Talking About Taste & Flavour

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Bursting with flavour	Very flavorful	"The fresh mango smoothie was bursting with flavour."
Rich and creamy	Having a thick, smooth texture	"The chocolate mousse was rich and creamy."
Mildly spiced	Lightly flavored with spices	"I prefer my curry to be mildly spiced rather than too hot."
Mouth-watering aroma	Delicious smell	"The bakery was filled with the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked bread."
Subtle hint of	A light taste of something	"This dish has a subtle hint of garlic that enhances the flavour."
Overpowering taste	A flavour that is too strong	"The garlic was too strong and gave the dish an overpowering taste."

3. Idioms & Expressions Related to Food

Idiom	Meaning	Example
A piece of cake	Something very easy	"Passing the IELTS exam will be a piece of cake if you prepare well."
Spill the beans	Reveal a secret	"He spilled the beans about the surprise party."
Have a lot on one’s plate	To be very busy	"I have a lot on my plate with work and IELTS preparation."
Bite off more than you can chew	Take on too much responsibility	"Trying to study for IELTS and work full-time is biting off more than you can chew."
Food for thought	Something that makes you think	"Her lecture on climate change gave us a lot of food for thought."
Not my cup of tea	Something you don’t like	"Spicy food is not my cup of tea."

Food is a common topic in the IELTS Speaking test, and being prepared with relevant vocabulary can help you score higher in lexical resource and fluency. Below are some sample questions you might encounter in different parts of the IELTS Speaking test, along with useful vocabulary and phrases to help you respond effectively.

IELTS Speaking Sample Questions Part 1

These are simple, personal questions about your daily food preferences and habits.

Sample Questions and Useful Phrases for Responses:

What kind of food do you like to eat?

"I have a sweet tooth, so I enjoy desserts like chocolate truffle cake and cheesecake."

Do you prefer home-cooked meals or eating out? Why?

"I prefer home-cooked meals because they are more nutritious and I can control the ingredients."

How often do you eat fast food?

"I try to eat fast food in moderation as it’s convenient but not the healthiest option."

What is a popular dish in your country?

"A traditional dish from my country is biryani, which is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish with spices and meat."

IELTS Speaking Sample Questions Part 2

These are long turn questions where you will be given a topic and asked to speak for 1-2 minutes.

Sample Question: Describe a memorable meal you had.

Answer Structure: "One of the most memorable meals I’ve had was a traditional South Indian thali during my trip to Kerala. Served on a banana leaf, it included sambar, rasam, avial, and crispy papadum with steamed rice. The flavours were rich, with a perfect balance of spices and coconut. I had this meal during Onam at a small local eatery in Kochi with my family. The festive atmosphere, the warmth of the people, and the experience of eating with our hands made it truly special. It wasn’t just about the food, but the cultural experience that I’ll always cherish."

IELTS Speaking Sample Questions Part 3

These are more complex questions that require detailed explanations and opinions.

Sample Questions and Useful Phrases for Responses:

How has globalization affected food choices in your country?

"Globalization has introduced a variety of international cuisines, making food more diverse and accessible.”

Do you think traditional diets are healthier than modern fast food?

"Traditional diets, often rich in whole foods and natural ingredients, tend to be healthier than fast food, which is high in trans fats and preservatives."

What role does food play in social gatherings and cultural events?

"Food is a central part of social events, as sharing a meal brings people together and strengthens cultural bonds."

Should governments take measures to promote healthy eating?

"Governments can promote healthy eating by imposing taxes on sugary drinks and encouraging food education in schools."

How do food trends change over time?

"With social media influencing lifestyles, we see trends like veganism and plant-based diets gaining popularity."

Be Descriptive Instead of Basic: Using detailed descriptions makes your responses more engaging. Instead of saying, “The food was nice,” you could say, “The biryani had a rich, aromatic flavour with perfectly spiced, tender meat.” This not only enhances your vocabulary but also shows a better command of language.
Use Food Collocations Naturally: Certain words go well together, making your speech sound more fluent. Saying, “The bakery had a mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked bread,” sounds more natural than “The bakery smelled good.”
Incorporate Idioms for a Conversational Tone: If asked about cooking skills, instead of saying, “I can cook well,” you could say, “I’m no MasterChef, but whipping up a quick meal is a piece of cake for me.”
Structure Your Answers Properly: Well-structured answers help maintain clarity. If asked, “Do you prefer home-cooked meals or restaurant food?” a strong response would be: “I prefer home-cooked meals because they are healthier.
Practice with Real-Life Exposure: Reading restaurant reviews, watching cooking shows, and even describing your meals aloud can help. The more you use food-related words in daily conversations, the more naturally they will come to you during the IELTS exam.

Suggested: IELTS Sample Paper 2025

From the Desk of Yocket

Enough food for thought—now it’s time to put it into practice! Food is more than just a necessity; it’s a reflection of culture, lifestyle, and personal preferences. That’s exactly why it plays a significant role in the IELTS exam, especially in the Speaking and Writing sections.

At Yocket Prep, we know that mastering IELTS vocabulary is key to boosting both fluency and confidence. This guide has provided you with a structured approach to learning essential food-related words, phrases, and idioms, along with practical tips to help you use them naturally. Keep practising, stay consistent, and soon, talking about food in English will be as effortless as savouring your favourite dish!