Restaurant English · Changing an order · Real-life speaking
Want something changed? Here’s how to ask politely.
You’re ordering a meal, but you’d prefer it less spicy, without onions, or with rice instead of noodles. You don’t have to accept a dish exactly as it’s listed. Ask politely, request a substitute, check whether it costs extra, and confirm the final order.
Start with: “Excuse me, could you make this a little less spicy, please?”
Leave something out
“Could you make it without onions?”
Use without when you don’t want an ingredient included. This is a preference request, not an allergy-safety guarantee.
Swap one item for another
“Could I have rice instead of noodles?”
Use instead of to ask for a substitute. The restaurant may need to check availability and price.
Ten useful phrases for changes and substitutions
| What to say | When to use it |
|---|---|
| “Could you make this less spicy, please?” | Ask for milder food. |
| “Could you leave out the onions?” | Ask to omit an ingredient. |
| “Can I have rice instead of noodles?” | Request a substitute. |
| “Could I change the side dish?” | Ask to swap a side. |
| “Could I have the sauce on the side?” | Ask to serve sauce separately. |
| “Is that substitution possible?” | Check whether the kitchen can do it. |
| “Would that cost extra?” | Ask about an additional charge. |
| “What would the new total be?” | Confirm the price before agreeing. |
| “Could you repeat my order back, please?” | Check what the server recorded. |
| “So that’s mild, no onions, with rice?” | Confirm your final choice. |
A real conversation: making a restaurant order your way
Server: Are you ready to order?
Traveller: Yes, please. I’d like the chicken noodles, but could you make them less spicy?
Server: We can make them mild. Anything else?
Traveller: Could I have rice instead of noodles?
Server: Let me check with the kitchen. There may be an additional charge.
Traveller: Of course. Would you mind checking the cost before I decide?
Server: We can make the change. I’ll confirm the extra charge with you first.
Traveller: Great. I’d also like it without onions, if possible.
Server: That’s fine. So, mild chicken with rice and no onions?
Traveller: Yes, exactly. Thank you very much!
The four-step order-change method
“Could you make this less spicy, please?”
“Could I have rice instead of noodles?”
“Is that possible, and would it cost extra?”
“Just to check: mild, no onions, and rice?”
Natural English: “Could I have…?” and “Could you make…?” sound polite and practical. “Would it be possible to…?” is another friendly option when the change is unusual.
Without vs. instead of: “Without onions” removes an ingredient. “Rice instead of noodles” replaces one item with another. “On the side” means served separately, such as a sauce or dressing.
Check before saying yes: Some restaurants cannot change prepared dishes, and some swaps cost more. Ask: “Is it possible?” and “Would that change the price?” before confirming.
Important for food allergies: Removing an ingredient is not proof that a meal is safe. If you have an allergy, clearly tell staff, check all ingredients and possible cross-contact with the kitchen, and do not order if safety cannot be confirmed. A preference request and an allergy request are different.
What if the restaurant can’t make the change?
Traveller: Could I get rice instead of noodles?
Server: I’m sorry, that dish can’t be changed.
Traveller: No problem. Is there another dish that comes with rice?
Server: Yes, the grilled chicken comes with rice.
Traveller: That sounds good. Could you tell me if it’s spicy?
Server: It’s mild.
Traveller: Perfect. I’ll have that instead, please. Thank you!
Problem → Need → Request
The standard dish is too spicy for my preference.
I need a milder dish with rice.
Could you make it mild and swap the noodles for rice?
Put it together: “I’d like the chicken dish, but I prefer mild food. Could you make it less spicy and serve rice instead of noodles, if possible?”
Your 60-second Practice Mission
- Ask: “Could you make it less spicy, please?”
- Swap: “Could I have rice instead of noodles?”
- Check: “Is that possible? Would it cost extra?”
- Confirm: “So that’s mild, with rice, and no onions. Thank you!”
Surprise round: The server says, “Sorry, we can’t substitute rice.” Ask politely about another dish instead.
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