Shokugeki no Soma Is it too much

90% of the series is food preparation, slice of life, etc. The 10% ecchi is mean to communicate the taste: the ecchi is more Japan being comfortable in their sensuality by comparison to Americans. It's tasteful and expressive: just because it makes you uncomfortable doesn't mean it's bad storytelling or such.

Ecchi pop-up? Like panty shots? Or are you referring to actual dirty scenes and stuff?

The scenes referred to, if I had to describe them, would be tasteful nudes that have the implication of sensual experiences that are comparable to those in an erotic sense. Food has an impact on people to an extent they have these visions related to the flavor and such.

Of course, there are also emphases on certain characters in regards to their bodies being very attractive, like the senior who wears just an apron most of the time or the meat specialist chef who wears a bikini top and short shorts and has a prominent chest.

If it's making you feel uncomfortable why bother with it? Food anime are a dime a dozen.

Are they? I don't recall that many in the last decade, let alone the last 5 years. Yakitate comes to mind, but I don't think there's been a lot. Koufuku Graffiti was nice, though it was half the length Soma is planned for.

Instead, watch Ultra-man Max. It's family friendly, and has real people, too!

I like it.

It honestly wasn't as bad as I was expecting

If you quantified it, there's easily much more food preparation and and such than the eroticism that people might stereotype it as having lots of. It's there, of course, but in moderation and proportionate to the situation.