Cooking & Markets

1. Where is the local market?

   Usage

   Used to find a local food market to buy fresh ingredients for cooking

   Grammar Note

   "Where is ~?" asks for a location. "Local" means from the area, not imported

2. What is this ingredient called?

   Usage

   Used at a market or cooking class to ask the name of an unfamiliar ingredient

   Grammar Note

   "What is ~ called?" uses a passive structure. "called" is a past participle

3. Is this dish very spicy?

   Usage

   Used to check the spice level before ordering or tasting a dish

   Grammar Note

   "very" is an intensifying adverb. "spicy" is an adjective used predicatively here

4. Can you recommend a cooking class?

   Usage

   Used to ask hotel staff or locals to suggest a cooking class

   Grammar Note

   "Can you ~?" is a common request form, slightly more casual than "Could you ~?"

5. How do you prepare this dish?

   Usage

   Used to ask a cook or chef about the preparation method of a dish

   Grammar Note

   "How do you ~?" asks about method. "prepare" means to get food ready for eating

6. Where can I buy fresh vegetables?

   Usage

   Used to find where to buy fresh produce for cooking

   Grammar Note

   "Where can I ~?" asks both about location and the ability to do something there

7. I'd like to learn to cook local food.

   Usage

   Used to express interest in learning the local cuisine

   Grammar Note

   "I'd like to ~" is more polite than "I want to ~". "learn to cook" uses chained infinitives

8. Do you have vegetarian ingredients?

   Usage

   Used at a market or food shop to check for vegetarian-friendly items

   Grammar Note

   "Do you have ~?" is the standard question form for asking about availability

9. What spices are used in this dish?

   Usage

   Used to find out which spices are in a dish, for allergy or preference purposes

   Grammar Note

   "What ~ are used?" is a passive-voice question. "used" is the past participle

10. Can I try a sample?

    Usage

    Used at a market or food shop to request permission to taste something

    Grammar Note

    "Can I ~?" is an informal request for permission. "May I ~?" is more formal

11. Salt

    sɔːlt

    Usage

    For asking for it, or for asking that less be used

12. Sugar

    ˈʃʊɡər

    Usage

    Sugar in food or drink; also used to ask for it to be left out

13. Black pepper

    blæk ˈpɛpər

    Usage

    "Pepper" alone can also mean a bell pepper or a chilli, so say "black pepper"

14. Cooking oil

    ˈkʊkɪŋ ɔɪl

    Usage

    Edible oil; "oil" alone can also mean fuel or machine oil

15. Vinegar

    ˈvɪnɪɡər

    Usage

    Vinegar as a seasoning

16. Butter

    ˈbʌtər

    Usage

    Also useful when checking for dairy

17. Honey

    ˈhʌni

    Usage

    The food; note "honey" is also an affectionate way to address someone, so use it in a food context

18. Garlic

    ˈɡɑːrlɪk

    Usage

    Also used to ask for a dish without it

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