Foods that start with U
Among all the alphabet’s culinary letters, “U” might just be the most underrated — yet it’s packed with hidden gems.
From umami-rich Japanese sauces to tropical ugli fruit, and hearty staples like udon noodles, urad dal, and ube, the foods beginning with “U” represent a wonderful mix of cultures and flavors.
This list highlights fruits, vegetables, meats, grains, legumes, herbs, and even beverages that start with the letter U — all alphabetically arranged and explained with delicious detail.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recommends diverse plant-based foods and whole grains, both well represented in “U” foods like urad dal, ugli fruit, and udon.
Let’s dive into this unforgettable, unbelievably tasty “U” collection.
Quick-Reference Table: Foods That Start With U
| Category | Foods That Start With U |
| Fruits | Ugli Fruit 🍊, Umbu Fruit, Uva (Grape) 🍇, Ume (Japanese Plum) 🍑 |
| Vegetables | Ube (Purple Yam) 🍠, Ulva (Sea Lettuce) 🥬, Ulluco (Andean Root) |
| Grains & Starches | Udon, Upma (Semolina Dish), Uruchimai (Japanese Rice) |
| Legumes & Beans | Urad Dal 🫘, Umbrella Beans |
| Nuts & Seeds | Unroasted Peanuts 🥜, Unhulled Sesame Seeds |
| Meats & Poultry | Ukrainian Sausage, Usal (Spiced Lentil Curry), Umble Pie |
| Seafood | Uni (Sea Urchin) 🦪, Unagi (Freshwater Eel), Urchin Roe 🐚 |
| Dairy & Cheese | Unsalted Butter 🧈, Urda Cheese 🧀, Ube Ice Cream 🍦 |
| Herbs & Spices | Ugba (Fermented African Oil Bean), Uziza Leaf, Urfa Biber 🌶️ |
| Condiments & Sauces | Umami Sauce, Umeboshi (Pickled Plum) |
| Oils | Unrefined Coconut Oil 🥥, Unfiltered Olive Oil |
| Beverages | Ugandan Coffee , Ube Milkshake, Umqombothi (African Beer) 🍺 |
| International Dishes & Desserts | Upside-Down Cake, Uttapam (Indian Pancake), Unadon (Eel Bowl) |
Foods that start with U
Foods that start with U
Alphabetical List & Descriptions of Foods that Start with U
Below is the alphabetically ordered list of “U” foods — with cultural, nutritional, and culinary details.
1. Ube (Purple Yam)
A vibrant purple root vegetable popular in Filipino desserts. Its natural sweetness makes it ideal for cakes, ice cream, and puddings.
Rich in antioxidants and fiber, ube symbolizes comfort and creativity in Southeast Asian cuisine.
2. Ube Ice Cream
Made from mashed ube, condensed milk, and cream, this dessert is creamy, colorful, and irresistibly sweet. It’s the signature purple treat of the Philippines.
3. Ugandan Coffee
Known for its robust aroma and low acidity, Ugandan coffee is one of Africa’s finest exports. Balanced and earthy, it’s often used in espresso blends.
4. Ugba (African Oil Bean)
A traditional fermented seed condiment from Nigeria. Used in local salads and stews, ugba offers nutty aroma and probiotic benefits.
5. Ugli Fruit
A hybrid citrus fruit combining grapefruit, orange, and tangerine. Slightly wrinkled but sweet inside — packed with vitamin C and refreshing flavor.
6. Ulluco
A colorful Andean tuber similar to potatoes. Naturally glossy skin in pink, yellow, or purple hues — great in soups and stir-fries.
7. Umami Sauce
A flavor-boosting sauce combining soy, mushrooms, and kelp. Adds depth and savoriness to meats, vegetables, and stir-fries.
8. Umble Pie
An old British dish made from minced meat and spices. The phrase “humble pie” originates here, though it was once considered gourmet.
9. Ume (Japanese Plum)
Small, tart fruit used in Japanese pickles and wines. When salted and fermented, it becomes umeboshi, prized for digestion and flavor.
10. Umeboshi
Pickled ume plums preserved with sea salt and shiso leaves. Intensely sour and salty — often served with rice for balance.
11. Umqombothi (African Beer)
Traditional South African beer brewed from maize and sorghum. Cloudy and rich in B-vitamins from fermentation.
12. Unadon (Eel Rice Bowl)
A Japanese dish featuring grilled unagi over steamed rice with sweet soy glaze. Rich, smoky, and satisfying.
13. Unagi (Freshwater Eel)
Popular in Japanese cuisine. High in protein and omega-3s, unagi offers a buttery, umami-rich flavor when grilled.
14. Unfiltered Olive Oil
Olive oil in its raw form, slightly cloudy with extra polyphenols. Adds complexity and stronger fruitiness to dressings and bread dips.
15. Unhulled Sesame Seeds
Whole sesame seeds with the hull intact — more fiber and calcium than the white, polished variety.
16. Uni (Sea Urchin)
A delicacy of the sea. The golden roe of sea urchins — creamy, oceanic, and slightly sweet. Often used in sushi or pasta.
17. Unleavened Bread
Flatbread made without yeast, common in religious and cultural traditions. Think matzo or chapati — wholesome and symbolic.
18. Unrefined Coconut Oil
Pure, cold-pressed coconut oil that retains aroma and nutrients. Great for baking, frying, or skincare.
19. Unsalted Butter
Creamy base ingredient for pastries and sauces. Allows full control of salt levels in recipes.
20. Upma (Semolina Breakfast)
A savory South Indian dish made from roasted semolina, vegetables, and spices. Comforting, filling, and aromatic.
21. Urad Dal
A small black lentil used in Indian cuisine. Rich in protein and fiber — perfect for curries, dosas, and soups.
22. Urda Cheese
Soft Romanian cheese made from whey. Mild and crumbly, similar to ricotta — a wholesome dairy staple.
23. Urfa Biber
A Turkish chili with deep smoky-sweet flavor. Used in stews, meats, and sauces for warmth and complexity.
24. Uruchimai (Japanese Rice)
Short-grain rice with sticky texture used in sushi and donburi. Balanced starch profile ideal for forming rolls.
25. Usal (Spiced Lentil Curry)
A flavorful Indian curry of sprouted beans cooked with coconut and spices. Served with rice or pav (bread rolls).
26. Uttapam (Indian Pancake)
A soft, savory pancake made from rice and lentil batter topped with onions, chili, and herbs. Crisp edges and fluffy centers — breakfast comfort at its best.
27. Uva (Grape)
Means “grape” in Spanish and Italian. Found in wines and fruit salads, uva symbolizes sweetness, vitality, and celebration.
28. Uziza Leaf
A West African herb offering peppery heat. Used to flavor soups and meat stews — aromatic and distinct.
Foods that start with U
Health Benefits of Foods that start with U
- Heart Health: ugli fruit, unfiltered olive oil, urad dal
- Digestive Balance: umeboshi, ugba, upma
- Energy & Protein: unagi, urad dal, usal, udon
- Antioxidants: ube, urfa biber, uva grapes
- Plant Diversity: ulluco, uruchimai, unrefined oils
Foods that start with “U” may seem rare, but they deliver universal nutrition — combining fiber, protein, probiotics, and healthy fats.
Fun Food Facts
- Ube desserts went viral on social media for their vibrant purple color — all natural!
- Ugli fruit was discovered in Jamaica in the early 1900s and trademarked as “UGLI.”
- Urfa biber chili is sun-dried by day and wrapped at night to deepen flavor.
- Umami was officially recognized as the fifth taste in 1908 by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda.
The Bottom Line
“U” may be one of the least-used food letters, but it’s undoubtedly unforgettable. From the creamy sweetness of ube ice cream to the savory depth of udon noodles and umami sauces, foods beginning with this letter prove that culinary exploration can be both delicious and educational.Whether you’re sipping Ugandan coffee, tasting urfa chili, or trying umeboshi for the first time — remember: sometimes the most unbelievable foods hide under unexpected letters.
Foods that start with U
Foods that start with U
