Clarifying Menu Items/Allergens
The customer asks questions about specific menu items, ingredients, or discloses allergy concerns.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
vegetarian
This means food without meat or animal products, like plants and veggies. Use it when ordering plant-based dishes.
spicy
Describes food that has a hot, burning taste from peppers or spices. It's common in Asian cuisine to ask about spice levels.
allergic
Means your body reacts badly to something, like getting sick from certain foods. Always disclose allergies when ordering to stay safe.
mushroom
A type of fungus used in cooking, like shiitake or button mushrooms. Some people are allergic, so check ingredients carefully.
omit
To leave out or remove something from a dish. Use this politely when customizing your order, like 'omit the onions.'
nuts
Edible seeds like peanuts or almonds that can cause allergies. Restaurants often ask about nut allergies for safety.
cross-contamination
When allergens from one food mix into another during cooking. It's important to ask about this if you have allergies.
precautions
Steps taken to prevent problems, like separating allergy foods. Use in contexts like 'We take precautions for allergens.'
thorough
Means careful and complete, checking every detail. Praise staff with 'I appreciate you being thorough' to show thanks.
adjust
To change something to fit your needs, like spice level. Say 'Can you adjust the salt?' when customizing food.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I'd like to place an order for delivery.
This is a polite way to start a phone order. 'I'd like' is a soft form of 'I want' for being courteous. Use it when calling restaurants.
Can you tell me more about your vegetarian spicy noodles?
This asks for details on a menu item. 'Can you tell me more about' is a common phrase for seeking information. Great for clarifying dishes.
Just to confirm, does it contain any kind of mushroom?
'Just to confirm' means double-checking politely. The question uses 'does it contain' for yes/no about ingredients. Useful for allergies.
I'm allergic to certain types.
This discloses a health issue simply. 'Allergic to' follows with the allergen. Always say this early in food orders to avoid risks.
Let me double-check for you.
Offers to verify information helpfully. 'Double-check' means check twice. Staff use this to show care; learners can use it too.
Would you like to omit them, or perhaps choose another dish?
Suggests options politely. 'Would you like to' is conditional for choices; 'omit' means remove. Good for handling custom requests.
Please omit the shiitake mushrooms.
Directly requests removal. Use imperative 'please omit' after confirming. It's practical for allergy modifications in orders.
We take precautions to avoid cross-contamination.
Explains safety measures. Present tense 'take' for ongoing actions. Reassures customers; learn to discuss food safety.
I really appreciate you being so thorough.
Expresses thanks for careful service. 'Appreciate' means grateful; 'being so thorough' praises detail. Use after good help.
How spicy would you like it?
Asks for preference on heat level. Question form with 'how' for degree. Common in spicy food orders; respond with 'mild' or 'medium.'
The total is $15.50, and the estimated delivery time is 30-40 minutes.
Gives order summary. 'The total is' for price; 'estimated' means approximate. Essential for closing food delivery calls.