Describe a kind of foreign food you like and you have had: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What the dish is?
Where you tried it?
What ingredients or taste you enjoyed?
And explain why you like it.

170 unique answers with expert feedback

What other dishes from Indian cuisine do you enjoy?

Apart from chicken biryani, I also enjoy dishes like butter chicken, dosa, and paneer tikka. Indian cuisine has a rich variety of flavors and textures, and each dish tells a unique story through its ingredients and preparation methods.

How do you think food reflects culture?

Food is a significant part of culture as it showcases the history, traditions, and values of a community. For instance, the spices used in Indian cooking reflect the region's agricultural practices and trade history, while the communal aspect of sharing meals highlights the importance of family and togetherness.

Have you ever tried cooking biryani yourself?

Yes, I have tried cooking biryani at home. It was a fun experience, but it took a lot of effort to get the flavors right. I learned that the key is in the marination and the slow cooking process, which really enhances the taste of the dish.

Band 7

00:00

So one foreign dish that I like is a white sauce pasta. I first tried it at a friend's birthday party where her mom had made the best white sauce pasta I could have ever tried. The one thing that I like about it is how easy it is to make and it's just so soothing. Something about it is very comforting and therefore I love the dish and I love how I can incorporate a lot of vegetables in it which I usually don't eat on a regular basis. So the vegetables when mixed with the cheese pasta or the cheese sauce with like chilli flakes and oregano, it just gives a good taste and that is something, that is one of my go-to meals. I can either have a vegetarian or non-vegetarian depending on my mood and it is something very comforting and very easy to make and it is like a very unique spin on the normal pastas that you usually have, the ready-to-make kind of pastas. So it is a very easy thing or an easy hands-on cooking experience for someone who's not a very good or a regular based cook.

Follow up questions

What other foreign foods have you tried?

I've tried sushi, which I found fascinating because of the different flavors and textures. I also enjoyed Indian curry, which was rich and spicy. Each dish has its own unique taste and preparation method, making them exciting to explore.

How do you usually learn to cook new dishes?

I usually watch cooking videos online or follow recipes from cookbooks. Sometimes, I ask friends or family who are good cooks to teach me. I find that hands-on experience is the best way to learn, especially when trying new cuisines.

Do you prefer cooking at home or dining out?

I prefer cooking at home because I enjoy the process and can customize the dishes to my taste. However, dining out is great for trying new foods and enjoying a different atmosphere. It really depends on my mood and the occasion.

Band 7

00:00

One type of foreign food that I really enjoy is Japanese Sushi. I first tried it in a restaurant in Delhi and I was really curious because I had heard so much about it. The sushi I had was made of rice, seaweed, fresh fish and some vegetables. I could taste the salty seaweed, the slightly sweet rice and the freshness of fish. All together, the combination was very unique and refreshing. After that, I even tried making sushi at home. To be honest, I didn't do a very good job because rolling the sushi properly was much harder than I expected. Still, it was fun experiencing and I realized how much skill is needed to prepare it well. Apart from sushi, I also love Korean food, especially ramen noodles. Unlike sushi, ramen is easier for me to make at home. I usually cook the noodles and add vegetables, boiled eggs and some spicy seasoning. The flavors are rich, warm and comforting, especially during winters. The reason I like these food is that they are different from Indian cuisine. The spices are also different. They give me a chance to experience new flavors and culture. Also, I enjoy cooking them at home. Even if they don't always turn out to be perfect, eating these dishes makes me feel connected to the other parts of the world and that's something I really enjoy. New flavors, cultural experience, enjoyable cooking is my forte and I love doing it. Cooking is one of my hobbies as well.

Follow up questions

What other foreign foods would you like to try in the future?

I would love to try Thai food, especially Pad Thai and green curry. I've heard they have amazing flavors and unique ingredients. Additionally, I'd like to explore Italian cuisine more, particularly authentic pasta dishes, as I enjoy cooking and tasting different types of pasta.

How do you think cooking foreign food can enhance cultural understanding?

Cooking foreign food allows us to experience different cultures firsthand. It teaches us about the ingredients, cooking techniques, and traditions behind the dishes. This hands-on experience can foster appreciation and respect for other cultures, making us more open-minded and connected to the world.

Do you think it's important to learn how to cook foreign dishes?

Yes, I believe it's important because it broadens our culinary skills and introduces us to new flavors. Cooking foreign dishes can also be a fun way to bond with friends and family, share experiences, and even celebrate cultural diversity through food.

Practice other cue cards

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country .

View answers

Describe Your Favourite Food

View answers

Band 7

00:00

One foreign food that I really liked was Allegheny Pasta. I first had it at the Paul's restaurant in City Walk. It's a very famous, very old Italian restaurant. Since then I've tried it at many different places but nothing in my opinion could beat that particular pasta. The amazing part of this is that it's a sauce-free pasta and you don't need to prepare any sauce. You just boil the spaghetti and cook it with minced garlic and chilli flakes. You can also add veggies if you like like broccoli, cherry tomatoes and zucchini but I don't like a lot of veggies in mine. I've also tried making it at home. I've made it 3-4 times now and I've still not made it as good as Paul's. But practice makes perfect so I'll continue trying my best to make the pasta.

Follow up questions

What other foreign foods have you tried and enjoyed?

I've tried sushi, which I really enjoyed, especially the salmon rolls. I also like Indian curry, particularly butter chicken. Each of these foods has its unique flavors and preparation styles, which I find fascinating.

How do you usually learn to cook new dishes?

I usually watch cooking videos online or read recipes from cookbooks. Sometimes, I also ask friends or family who are good cooks for tips. I find that hands-on practice is the best way to learn, so I try to cook regularly.

Do you think it's important to try food from different cultures?

Yes, I believe trying food from different cultures is important. It helps us appreciate diversity and understand different traditions. Food is a big part of culture, and experiencing it can broaden our horizons and enhance our culinary skills.

Band 7

00:00

So, the foreign dish which I like the most till now is the Afghani Pulao. Afghani Pulao I have tasted in one of the restaurants in Delhi called Mazar. The dish that is the Afghani Pulao uses a rich variety of spices. It has rice in it. It has dry fruits. It has vegetables. It has the ghee and it has many other ingredients like mutton which is the main ingredient in it. It has curd and it has various other herbs which adds to its taste and aroma. The thing which I like the most in this Afghani Pulao, of course, is rice. Rice is something which is very staple to my family, to my hometown. We eat lot of rice. So, rice definitely is something which I like the most. Over and above, it has the caramelized carrots in it which are just mouth-watering. With just its lingering taste, you can never forget. The raisins, black currants which are used in it is a feathering cap. Moreover, ghee which is very traditional thing consumed in India, it simply adds to its taste.

Follow up questions

What other foreign dishes have you tried?

I have tried various foreign dishes like sushi from Japan, pasta from Italy, and tacos from Mexico. Each has its unique flavors and ingredients, but Afghani Pulao remains my favorite due to its rich spices and comforting taste.

How do you usually find new restaurants to try foreign food?

I usually find new restaurants through online reviews, food blogs, and recommendations from friends. Social media platforms also help me discover trending places that serve authentic foreign cuisine.

Do you prefer cooking foreign food at home or eating out?

I enjoy both! Cooking foreign food at home allows me to experiment with flavors, but eating out gives me the experience of authentic dishes prepared by skilled chefs. It’s a great way to appreciate the culture behind the food.

Show all 170 answers

Cue 1:What the dish is?

Begin by naming the foreign dish you enjoy and give a brief description of it.
Mention any unique features of the dish that make it stand out.

Example

One foreign dish that I absolutely love is sushi. It's a traditional Japanese dish that consists of vinegared rice paired with various ingredients, including seafood, vegetables, and sometimes tropical fruits.

Cue 2:Where you tried it?

Describe the location where you first tried this dish, whether it was a restaurant, a friend's house, or during a trip.
Share any memorable experiences related to that place.

Example

I first tried sushi at a popular Japanese restaurant in my city called 'Sushi House'. I went there with my friends to celebrate my birthday, and the ambiance was vibrant and welcoming, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

Cue 3:What ingredients or taste you enjoyed?

Talk about the specific ingredients that you liked in the dish.
Describe the flavors and textures that made the dish appealing to you.

Example

What I enjoyed most about sushi were the fresh ingredients, especially the salmon and avocado. The combination of the soft, sticky rice with the creamy avocado and the rich flavor of the salmon created a delightful taste that was both refreshing and satisfying.

Cue 4:And explain why you like it.

Explain your personal connection to the dish and why it holds significance for you.
Mention any cultural aspects or health benefits that contribute to your preference.

Example

I like sushi not only for its delicious taste but also because it represents a healthy eating option. It’s light yet filling, and I appreciate the artistry involved in making it. Additionally, trying sushi has opened my eyes to Japanese culture, which I find fascinating.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, sushi is more than just a meal for me; it’s an experience that combines flavor, culture, and health. I look forward to trying different varieties of sushi in the future and exploring more of what Japanese cuisine has to offer.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Being Too Vague

Candidates often provide unclear or general answers without specific details about the dish. This can make the response less engaging and informative.

Tip

Include specific details about the dish, such as its name, ingredients, and unique flavors to create a vivid picture.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Some candidates fail to address all the cues provided, which can lead to incomplete answers and lower scores.

Tip

Make sure to cover all the cues: what the dish is, where you tried it, what you enjoyed, and why you like it.

Lack of Personal Connection

Responses that lack personal anecdotes or feelings can seem flat and uninteresting, making it hard for the examiner to connect.

Tip

Share a personal story or memory related to the dish to make your answer more relatable and engaging.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.