Foods That Start With U

June 26, 2023

There’s not a lot of food that starts with U that you encounter daily, but once you do, you’ll be surprised how delicious they are. In this article, you’ll learn more about the names of these foods beginning with the letter U, as well as what makes them special.

Table of Contents

Dishes That Start With U

As a vowel, “u” is used more frequently in the languages of India, Japan, and other nations. Most of the dishes listed below are English loanwords from regional and ethnic cuisines.

Upma: Of the two Indian foods that start with U on this list, this one is the most widely known. Upma is a porridge prepared with semolina, rice flour, or corn. If you travel to Sri Lanka, chances are you will be served upma for breakfast.
Unagi Sushi: Anguilla japonica is the name of a freshwater eel species often used as an ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Once thoroughly cured and cooked, unagi is made into sushi rolls, rice, and seaweed. You can enhance the flavor of unagi sushi rolls, which are not overly salty, with teriyaki sauce.
Uni: Another Japanese food worth trying is uni, a culinary delicacy made from sea urchins. You’ve probably already seen it in most sushi bars, as it has a distinct orange color. But what does it taste like? When cooked, it adds a thick and buttery texture. You can also eat it raw and dip it in soy sauce with wasabi!
Uszka: These delicious small dumplings, which translate to “little ears,” are closely associated with Christmas celebrations in Poland. So, what are its fillings? Uszka can have either wild forest mushrooms, minced meat, or a combination of the two.
Udon Noodles: This U dish is thick noodles made from wheat flour and some salt. It lends a chewy texture and is often paired with a broth or soup. Udon noodles can also be stir-fried with vegetables and spices.
Umbricelli Pasta: This type of hand-rolled pasta is known as “pici” in the Tuscan region of Italy. In general, this pasta is about twice as thick as spaghetti. If you visit a trattoria or osteria in the Umbria region, you will be served meat or sausage.
Umami Burger: At first glance, an umami burger looks like your regular burger, but the difference is in the flavor, mainly that the meat is seasoned with umami sauce!
Usal: This Indian breakfast dish is a legume stew that you can make at home with bay leaves, black pepper, curry, onions, and turmeric. When preparing this recipe, soak and stir-fry the lentils or beans first.
Unagi Don: Also known as unadon in the Kanto culinary region of Japan, this meal is essentially baked eel served over rice. When baking unagi, set the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 20 minutes.
Utica Chicken Riggies: This Italian-American baked pasta is heartier than baked ziti. It consists of a creamy tomato-based sauce with chicken cooked in butter and sauteed garlic and onions. Of course, it also has crushed red chili pepper flakes to give it a mild heat.
Uzbek Plov: This variation of rice pilaf differs from other Eurasian versions because it is cooked very slowly. Even though traditional Uzbek plov is made with lamb, meatless versions are very popular.

Fruits That Start With U

A few English words starting with “u” are used to name fruits. Nonetheless, here are some fruits that begin with the letter U:

Ugli
Ume
Ugniberry
Umbu

Vegetables That Start With U

Like fruits, there are limited options for vegetables that start with U. Some of your choices are:

Ulluco
Urad bean
Ube (Purple Yam/Purple Sweet Potato)
Udo

Soups, Herbs, and Condiments That Start With U

This list is slightly longer than the “u” words for fruits and vegetables, but not by much. These are not common words, and most of them have foreign origins.

Umeboshi Paste
Ucuuba Butter
Umami Paste
Urfa Pepper
Umeboshi
Urfa Chili Flakes
Udon Soup
Ulava Charu
Ukha Soup
Uiensoep
Ulava Charu

Drinks That Start With U

“Umbrella drinks” served at all-inclusive resorts and trendy beach bars are not the only “u” beverages. Some of the terms below describe drinks from various parts of the world.

Ume Juice
Umeshu
Ugli Fruit Punch
Unicorn Frappuccino

Desserts That Start With U

Only a few desserts made this list of foods that start with U because they are relatively rare. You are likely already familiar with upside-down pineapple cake; here are more “u” desserts that are savory and delicious: