Mastering IELTS Speaking: How to Expertly Describe Foreign Cuisine You’ve Sampled

The topic of describing foreign food is a common one in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2. It allows examiners to assess candidates’ ability to describe experiences, express opinions, and use vocabulary related to food and culture. This topic has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about food and eating habits. Here are some possible questions and a sample answer for one:

1. Do you enjoy trying new foods?
2. What’s your favorite type of foreign cuisine?
3. How often do you eat out at restaurants?

Let’s consider a sample answer for the second question:

Examiner: What’s your favorite type of foreign cuisine?

Band 6-7 Answer:
I really enjoy Italian food. I love pasta dishes, especially spaghetti carbonara. The combination of flavors in Italian cuisine is always delicious.

Band 8-9 Answer:
I’m particularly fond of Thai cuisine. I find the intricate balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors in Thai dishes to be absolutely captivating. Dishes like Tom Yum soup and Pad Thai never fail to tantalize my taste buds with their complex flavor profiles and aromatic herbs and spices.

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card related to describing a foreign food:

Describe A Foreign Food You Have Tried
You should say:

• What the food was
• Where you ate it
• Who you were with
• And explain whether you liked it or not

Band 6-7 Answer:
I’d like to talk about sushi, a Japanese dish I tried for the first time last year. I ate it at a small Japanese restaurant in the city center with my colleagues during a team dinner. The sushi was served on a wooden board and looked very colorful. There were different types like salmon, tuna, and avocado rolls. I was a bit nervous to try it at first because I’m not used to eating raw fish, but I was surprised by how good it tasted. The fish was fresh, and the combination of flavors was interesting. I especially liked the salmon rolls. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and would definitely eat sushi again.

Band 8-9 Answer:
I’d like to delve into my experience with a quintessential French delicacy – escargot, which I had the pleasure of sampling during a gastronomic adventure in Paris last summer. I was dining at a charming bistro in the Montmartre district, accompanied by my culinary enthusiast friend, Sarah.

The escargot was presented in a traditional manner – six snails nestled in their shells, each swimming in a pool of herb-infused garlic butter. The aroma wafting from the dish was intoxicating, a heady mixture of garlic, parsley, and butter.

Initially, I was somewhat apprehensive about trying this unconventional dish. However, my curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to take the plunge. Using the special escargot tongs and fork, I expertly extracted the snail from its shell and took my first bite.

The texture was surprisingly tender, not at all rubbery as I had anticipated. The flavor was rich and complex – the earthiness of the snail beautifully complemented by the robust garlic butter and the subtle notes of herbs. It was a true revelation for my taste buds.

To my pleasant surprise, I found myself thoroughly enjoying this iconic French dish. The experience was not just about the food itself, but also about immersing myself in French culinary culture. It broadened my gastronomic horizons and left me with a newfound appreciation for adventurous eating.

In conclusion, trying escargot was a memorable culinary experience that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking to expand their palate and embrace new cultural experiences through food.

Traditional presentation of French escargot dish

Follow-up questions:

1. How did the taste compare to your expectations?
2. Would you recommend this dish to others? Why or why not?

Band 6-7 Answer for Question 1:
The taste was better than I expected. I thought it might be bland or have a strange texture, but it was actually quite flavorful and not chewy at all. The garlic butter sauce really enhanced the taste.

Band 8-9 Answer for Question 1:
The taste far exceeded my expectations. I had braced myself for a potentially unpalatable experience, but I was pleasantly surprised by the delicate flavor and tender texture of the escargot. The rich, garlicky butter sauce elevated the dish to new heights, transforming what I had anticipated to be a culinary challenge into a gastronomic delight. It was a testament to the age-old adage that one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a dish by its main ingredient.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: How do you think trying foreign foods can contribute to cultural understanding?

Band 6-7 Answer:
I think trying foreign foods can help us understand other cultures better. When we eat food from different countries, we learn about their ingredients and cooking methods. This can give us an idea of what’s important in their culture and what kind of resources they have. Also, sharing a meal is a good way to connect with people from other cultures and learn about their traditions.

Band 8-9 Answer:
I believe that experiencing foreign cuisines can be a profound gateway to cultural understanding. Food is intrinsically linked to a nation’s history, geography, and social customs. When we partake in foreign dishes, we’re not just tantalizing our taste buds, but also gaining insight into the cultural fabric of a society.

Firstly, the ingredients and preparation methods can reveal a great deal about a region’s climate, agricultural practices, and even its economic situation. For instance, the prevalence of rice in many Asian cuisines reflects its importance as a staple crop in those areas.

Moreover, the rituals and etiquette surrounding food consumption can provide valuable insights into social norms and values. The communal nature of Middle Eastern dining, with its shared plates, speaks volumes about the importance of community and hospitality in their culture.

Additionally, food often plays a central role in religious and cultural celebrations, offering a window into a society’s spiritual beliefs and festive traditions. By participating in these culinary experiences, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of different cultures, fostering empathy and breaking down cultural barriers.

In essence, exploring foreign cuisines is not just about expanding our palate, but about broadening our cultural horizons and promoting cross-cultural appreciation. It’s a delicious form of diplomacy that can bridge divides and promote global understanding.

Diverse international cuisine representing cultural exchange

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Gastronomic adventure /ˌɡæstrəˈnɒmɪk ədˈventʃər/ (noun phrase): An experience of exploring and trying new foods.
   Example: Our trip to Japan was a true gastronomic adventure, filled with unique and delicious dishes.

2. Culinary enthusiast /ˈkʌlɪnəri ɪnˈθjuːziæst/ (noun phrase): A person who is very interested in and passionate about food and cooking.
   Example: As a culinary enthusiast, she always seeks out the most authentic local restaurants when traveling.

3. To tantalize one’s taste buds /ˈtæntəlaɪz teɪst bʌdz/ (idiom): To excite or stimulate one’s sense of taste in a pleasurable way.
   Example: The complex flavors of the Thai curry tantalized my taste buds.

4. Quintessential /ˌkwɪntɪˈsenʃəl/ (adjective): Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
   Example: Escargot is often considered a quintessential French delicacy.

5. To broaden one’s horizons /ˈbrɔːdən həˈraɪzənz/ (idiom): To expand one’s range of interests, experiences, or knowledge.
   Example: Trying new cuisines is an excellent way to broaden your culinary horizons.

Describe a recipe you recently tried can be an interesting topic to explore after discussing foreign foods, as it allows you to delve deeper into culinary experiences.

Examiner’s Advice

To score high in the IELTS Speaking test when describing foreign food:

1. Use a wide range of vocabulary related to food, taste, and texture.
2. Incorporate idiomatic expressions and advanced grammatical structures naturally.
3. Provide detailed descriptions and personal opinions to fully develop your answers.
4. Practice describing various cuisines and dining experiences to improve fluency.
5. Listen carefully to the questions and address all parts in your responses.

Remember, the key to success is not just about knowing the language, but using it effectively to communicate your thoughts and experiences. Regular practice with a variety of food-related topics will help you feel more confident and perform better in the actual test.

Describe a restaurant where you had a special meal could be another relevant topic to practice, as it often involves describing foreign or unique cuisines.

IELTS Speaking test preparation focusing on food description

By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-prepared to discuss foreign foods and culinary experiences in your IELTS Speaking test. Remember, the goal is not just to describe the food, but to use it as a springboard for demonstrating your English language skills and cultural awareness.

Describe a foreign dish you tried is another excellent topic to practice, as it directly relates to the theme of experiencing new cuisines and can help you prepare for similar questions in the IELTS Speaking test.