In a restaurant, staff need to speak English clearly to take orders and help customers. First, they should greet customers politely and ask if they are ready to order. When a customer asks for a recommendation, staff can suggest popular Khmer dishes such as Fish Amok, Beef Lok Lak, or Khmer Curry. It is helpful to describe the dishes briefly. For example, Fish Amok is a steamed fish curry with coconut milk and spices, and Beef Lok Lak is stir-fried beef served with rice and vegetables.
Handling dietary requests is very important. Customers may ask for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options or may have allergies. Staff should listen carefully, repeat the order to confirm, and make sure the kitchen prepares it correctly. For example, they can say: “You would like the Fish Amok without chili. Is that correct?”
Polite phrases like “Would you like…?”, “Can I recommend…?”, and “Is that okay for you?” help create a friendly atmosphere. Staff should also be ready to explain the menu clearly and answer simple questions about ingredients or spice levels.
Learning Restaurant English helps staff provide better service, recommend Khmer food confidently, and handle all customer requests professionally. It improves the dining experience for customers and makes the restaurant welcoming and enjoyable.
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Waiter – guest – dialogue:
Waiter: Good evening. Welcome to our restaurant. Here is the menu.
Customer: Thank you. What do you recommend today?
Waiter: May I suggest a traditional Khmer dish? Our Fish Amok is very popular. It is steamed fish cooked with coconut milk, curry, and fresh herbs. It is soft and not very spicy.
Customer: That sounds interesting. Is it served with rice?
Waiter: Yes, it comes with steamed rice. Another good choice is Beef Lok Lak. It is stir-fried beef with vegetables, rice, and a tasty pepper sauce.
Customer: Hmm. Is the Beef Lok Lak spicy?
Waiter: No, it is not spicy, unless you add the pepper sauce. Would you like to try it?
Customer: Yes, I will have the Beef Lok Lak, please.
Waiter: Very good. Would you like a drink with your meal?
Customer: Just water, please.
Waiter: Thank you. So your order is one Beef Lok Lak with rice, and water. Is that correct?
Customer: Yes, that’s correct.
Waiter: Perfect. I will bring your order soon.
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Waiter – guest – dialogue:
Waiter: Hello, welcome! May I take your order?
Customer: I am not sure yet. Can you recommend a Khmer dish?
Waiter: Of course. Many guests enjoy our Khmer Chicken Curry. It is cooked with coconut milk, potatoes, carrots, and mild spices. It is softer than Thai curry and not very hot.
Customer: That sounds nice. Is it good for people who don’t like spicy food?
Waiter: Yes, it is very mild. Another option is Prahok Ktis, a pork and coconut dip served with fresh vegetables. It is a special Cambodian taste.
Customer: Hmm, maybe I will try the chicken curry. Does it come with rice?
Waiter: Yes, it is served with steamed rice. Would you like white rice or jasmine rice?
Customer: Jasmine rice, please. And can I also have a salad?
Waiter: Certainly. So, one Khmer Chicken Curry with jasmine rice and a salad. Would you like something to drink?
Customer: Yes, I’ll take an iced tea.
Waiter: Very good. I will bring your order shortly. Enjoy your meal!
Customer: Thank you.
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Waiter – guest – dialogue:
Waiter: Good afternoon. Here is the menu. Are you ready to order?
Customer: Not yet. Can you recommend a Khmer dish?
Waiter: Certainly. Our most famous dish is Fish Amok. It is a steamed fish curry with coconut milk, lemongrass, and herbs. The texture is soft and creamy, and it is not very spicy.
Customer: That sounds good. Is it a large portion?
Waiter: Yes, it is enough for one person, and it comes with rice. Many visitors say it is the best way to taste traditional Cambodian food.
Customer: Okay, I think I will try the Fish Amok.
Waiter: Excellent choice. Would you like to add a side dish, maybe vegetables or soup?
Customer: Yes, some fried vegetables, please.
Waiter: Very good. And for your drink?
Customer: Just a fresh coconut water.
Waiter: Perfect. So your order is one Fish Amok with rice, fried vegetables, and coconut water. Is that correct?
Customer: Yes, that’s correct.
Waiter: Thank you. I will bring your meal soon. Please enjoy!
Customer: Thank you very much.
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Waiter – guest – dialogue:
Ordering food and recommending Khmer dishes – key words:
1. Greeting & Menu
- Welcome / Hello / Good morning – evening
- “Here is the menu.”
- “Are you ready to order?”
- “Can I take your order?”
2. Recommendations
- Khmer dishes:
- Fish Amok → steamed fish curry, coconut milk, herbs, soft, not spicy
- Beef Lok Lak → stir-fried beef, rice, vegetables, pepper sauce, mild
- Khmer Curry → chicken/vegetables, coconut milk, potatoes, carrots, mild
- Prahok Ktis → pork + coconut dip, vegetables, traditional taste
- Phrases:
- “May I recommend…?”
- “Would you like to try…?”
- “This dish is not spicy.”
3. Customer Questions
- “Is it spicy?”
- “Is it served with rice?”
- “Is the portion big?”
- “Can I add a side dish/salad?”
- “What drink do you recommend?”
4. Confirming the Order
- Repeat order: “So your order is…”
- “Is that correct?”
- “Would you like rice with that?”
5. Polite Closing
- “Thank you.”
- “I will bring your meal soon.”
- “Please enjoy your food.”
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Dialogue: after the meal + dessert recommendation
Waiter: Good evening. I see you have finished your meal. Was everything okay?
Customer: Yes, it was very delicious. Thank you.
Waiter: I’m glad to hear that. Would you like anything else? Maybe a dessert or a coffee?
Customer: Hmm, what dessert do you recommend?
Waiter: May I suggest our Pumpkin Custard? It is a sweet Khmer dessert made with pumpkin and coconut milk. We also have Sticky Rice with Mango, very popular and not too heavy.
Customer: The pumpkin custard sounds interesting. I will try that.
Waiter: Very good choice. Would you like tea or coffee with it?
Customer: Just tea, please.
Waiter: Thank you. May I clear the plates now?
Customer: Yes, please.
Waiter: (clears plates) So, one pumpkin custard and one tea. Is that correct?
Customer: Yes, that’s correct.
Waiter: Perfect. I will bring it shortly.
👉 Useful phrases:
- “Was everything okay?”
- “Would you like dessert or coffee?”
- “May I recommend our pumpkin custard / sticky rice with mango?”
- “May I clear the table?”
- “So your order is … Is that correct?”
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Dialogue: after the meal
Waiter: Good evening. I see you have finished your meal. How was everything?
Customer: It was excellent. The Fish Amok was very tasty.
Waiter: Thank you. I’m happy you enjoyed it. Would you like anything else? We have desserts, coffee, and tea.
Customer: What desserts do you have?
Waiter: Today we have Pumpkin Custard, which is sweet pumpkin with coconut milk. We also have Banana with Sticky Rice, a traditional Khmer dessert wrapped in banana leaf. Another choice is Fresh Fruit Plate with pineapple, watermelon, and mango.
Customer: That sounds nice. Which one do you recommend?
Waiter: The banana with sticky rice is very popular with our guests. It is sweet but not too heavy.
Customer: Okay, I’ll try the banana with sticky rice.
Waiter: Very good. Would you like tea or coffee with that?
Customer: Yes, a coffee, please.
Waiter: Perfect. May I clear your plates now?
Customer: Yes, please.
Waiter: Thank you. So, one banana with sticky rice and one coffee. Is that correct?
Customer: Yes, that’s correct.
Waiter: Wonderful. I will bring it shortly.
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Dialogue: after dessert – bill & payment
Waiter: I see you have finished your dessert. Did you enjoy it?
Customer: Yes, it was very delicious. Thank you.
Waiter: I’m glad to hear that. May I clear your plates now?
Customer: Yes, please.
Waiter: (clears plates) Thank you. Would you like the bill now?
Customer: Yes, please.
Waiter: Of course. Here is your bill. The total is 18.50 USD.
Customer: Okay. Can I pay by card?
Waiter: Yes, we accept Visa and Mastercard. Would you like to pay now?
Customer: Yes, I’ll pay with Visa.
Waiter: Thank you. Please insert your card here and follow the instructions.
Customer: Done.
Waiter: Perfect. Your payment is successful. Here is your receipt.
Customer: Thank you.
Waiter: Thank you for visiting our restaurant. We hope to see you again soon.
Customer: Everything was wonderful. Thank you.
Waiter: You’re welcome. Have a nice evening!
Key phrases – after dessert & payment
- “Did you enjoy it?”
- “May I clear your plates?”
- “Would you like the bill now?”
- “The total is …”
- “Do you want to pay by cash or card?”
- “Please insert your card here and follow the instructions.”
- “Thank you for visiting our restaurant.”
- “We hope to see you again soon.”
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Restaurant English – full service summary
1. Guest enters
- Actions: Greet guest, welcome, offer seating.
- Useful Phrases:
- “Good evening. Welcome to our restaurant.”
- “Do you have a reservation?”
- “How many people are in your party?”
- “Please follow me to your table.”
2. Seating & menu
- Actions: Show guest to table, provide menu, offer assistance.
- Useful Phrases:
- “Here is the menu.”
- “Can I get you something to drink while you decide?”
- “Please take your time.”
3. Taking the order
- Actions: Ask what guest wants, recommend dishes, confirm order, note drinks, special requests, allergies.
- Useful Phrases:
- “Are you ready to order?”
- “May I recommend a Khmer dish?”
- “Our Fish Amok is very popular. It is steamed fish with coconut milk and herbs.”
- “Do you have any dietary restrictions or allergies?”
- “Would you like rice with that?”
- “So your order is … Is that correct?”
4. Serving the meal
- Actions: Bring food and drinks, check comfort, respond to requests.
- Useful Phrases:
- “Here is your Fish Amok.”
- “Is everything okay?”
- “Do you need anything else?”
5. After the meal – dessert / drinks
- Actions: Ask about dessert or coffee/tea, recommend, clear plates, serve dessert/drinks.
- Useful Phrases:
- “Did you enjoy your meal?”
- “Would you like a dessert or coffee?”
- “May I recommend our Banana with Sticky Rice or Pumpkin Custard?”
- “May I clear your plates?”
6. Paying the bill
- Actions: Offer the bill, ask payment method, process payment, return receipt/change.
- Useful Phrases:
- “Would you like the bill now?”
- “The total is …”
- “Do you want to pay by cash or card?”
- “Please insert your card here and follow the instructions.”
- “Here is your receipt. Thank you.”
7. Guest leaving
- Actions: Thank guest, say goodbye, invite to return.
- Useful Phrases:
- “Thank you for visiting our restaurant.”
- “We hope to see you again soon.”
- “Have a nice evening!”
Notes for Staff:
- Use polite phrases at every step.
- Repeat orders to confirm.
- Observe guest comfort and respond quickly.
- Recommend Khmer dishes confidently.
- Handle dietary requests carefully.
- End the service with gratitude and warmth.