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Food & drinkIntermediate

Food is too salty in English

What to say when a dish is too salty and you want a new one.

Full script

Lin
Excuse me, I think this soup is a bit too salty.
Them
Oh, I'm so sorry! Let me check with the chef.
Lin
Thanks. Could I get some water too?
Them
Of course. Would you like a new one?
Lin
Yes, please. Less salt this time.
Them
Got it. Less salt. And it's on the house.
Lin
Really? Then I hope everything else is salty too!
Them
Ha! Nice try.

Key phrases

The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.

polite
✓ It's a bit too salty.

Use this to complain softly.

a bit makes it softer; too spicy, too sweet

request
✓ Less salt, please.

Use this when ordering or asking again.

No salt, please. = ask for zero salt

to the server
✓ Could I get a new one?

Use this to ask for another dish.

replace = get a new one

the restaurant pays
✓ It's on the house.

The restaurant pays for this.

on the house = free from the restaurant

Quick answers

polite: what to say in English

Say “It's a bit too salty.” — use this to complain softly. a bit makes it softer; too spicy, too sweet.

request: what to say in English

Say “Less salt, please.” — use this when ordering or asking again. No salt, please. = ask for zero salt.

to the server: what to say in English

Say “Could I get a new one?” — use this to ask for another dish. replace = get a new one.

the restaurant pays: what to say in English

Say “It's on the house.” — the restaurant pays for this. on the house = free from the restaurant.

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