Discover 38 Foods That Start with U

While limited, many tasty dishes start with U. From savory pasta and soups to decadent desserts and freshly baked bread, check out the 38 foods that start with U and learn about their origins and flavor.

Ube

Ube, or purple yam, is native to Southeast Asia and features a bright purple center and brownish-purple skin. These unusual potatoes have a mild and sweet flavor and go great in many recipes, from cakes and breads to cocktails and ice cream. They are an ingredient in traditional Pilipino desserts.

Udon

These thick wheat noodles are popular in Japanese recipes. The most popular way to prepare udon is to make a tasty and savory noodle soup, then top with green onions, fish cakes, shrimp, and other ingredients that suit your taste buds.

Uni Pasta

Made with briny sea urchin, white wine, and rich cream, uni pasta is a Japanese spaghetti with rich flavor. As a bonus, it calls for a simple cooking method. Uni is sea urchin, which is the star of the dish. It gives it a slightly sweet, buttery, and salty taste.

Ukha

Ukha is a Russian fish soup beloved for its comforting taste and warmth. Russians have cooked this flavorful soup since the 12th century, and it varies based on the region. However, you typically prepare it using freshly caught fish, potatoes, carrots, and rich broth infused with lots of pepper and bay leaf.

Umble Pie

Also known as “humble pie,” umble pie is a term for a variety of medieval meat pies filled with minced offal, which are animal organ meats, particularly of deer. The word “umble” evolved from the Middle French “nombles,” meaning “deer’s inards.”

Upside-Down Cake

This retro cake might remind you of what grandma used to make. Upside down cake is a popular fruity dessert in America that caught popularity in the 1920s. It features canned pineapples that caramelize as they cook on the bottom of the pan. The cake is warm and buttery and finished with juicy maraschino cherries.

Uttapam

Crispy yet fluffy, Uttapam is a traditional South Indian breakfast food similar to pancakes with a savory twist. Instead of flour and buttermilk, these pancakes consist of fermented rice lentil batter, cooked till golden brown. You can then top them with vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Ugali (Corn Fufu)

This traditional corn meal side dish is popular in several African countries, like Kenya. Ugali is a cornmeal porridge that typically accompanies stews, greens, soups, and curries. This dish is easy to make, filling, and has a soft, satisfying texture.

Unagi

Prized in Japanese culture, unagi is eel renowned for its luxurious flavor and health benefits. These anguillid eels swim in the waters near Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and China, and they are a common ingredient in Japanese cooking, especially when making sushi.

Upma

Upma is a popular breakfast dish in South India. This savory and flavorful meal is the perfect way to start the morning, as it contains nuts and vegetables. Upma includes semolina or cream of wheat, ghee, lentils, onion, ginger, herbs, spices, and your choice of veggies.

Ukrainian Dinner Roll

Pampushki, or Ukrainian dinner rolls, are warm and delicious and go perfectly with a variety of savory dishes. These pull-apart garlic rolls are often served with Ukrainian borsch or soups and drizzled in an herb and garlic sauce. Whether you hail from Ukraine or not, these dinner rolls are a must-try with your next meal.

A Comprehensive List of the 38 Foods That Start With U