30+ Foods That Start with U
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You might be surprised to learn that there are more foods that start with “u” than you think. So, whether you’re seeking to try new dishes or just simply planning to list out as many foods that start with “u” as possible, the list below will definitely help you.
To help you get a general idea of what each dish is about, I will put them in their corresponding categories – main dishes, snacks and desserts, fruits and vegetables, drinks, and herbs. I believe this will allow you to find what you need considerably faster.
30+ Delicious Food That Begins With “U”
Before we get into more details about each food, let me introduce you to the list of 35 foods and drinks that start with the letter “u.”
- Udon
- Ugali
- Ukha
- Ulava Charu
- Unagi
- Uni
- Upma
- Usal
- Uszka
- Uthappam
- Utica Greens
- Ube
- Ukrainian Garlic Bread Rolls
- Umeboshi
- Unglazed Donuts
- U-No Bar
- Uncured Hot Dogs
- Unique Pretzels
- Unsweetened Chocolate
- Upside-down Cake
- Urgelia Cheese
- Ustipci
- Utah Scone
- Utz Potato Chips
- Ugli Fruit
- Ugni Fruit
- Ulluco
- Umbrella Fruit
- Umbu Fruit
- Urad Dal
- Ultimate Blue Frozen Margarita
- Uncle Sam Cocktail
- Up-to-date
- Unicorn Roots
- Urfa Pepper Flakes
I’m sure that a lot of these names sound unfamiliar to you. That’s why I’ll be giving more in-depth information about each and every food named in the list above.
Now, let’s get started.
11 Appetizing And Fulfilling Dishes That Start With “U”
For the main course full of dishes that start with “U,” you can consult this list. From renowned Asian dishes to exotic cuisine from Africa, this list has it all.
1. Udon
When someone mentions Japanese cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is often either Ramen or sushi. While it’s true that Udon might not be the most famous Japanese dish, this noodle, even served hot or cold, is a dish that you should try at least once in your life.
Made from wheat flour, the noodles for Udon are considerably thicker than Ramen noodles. Because they’re made from wheat flour and water, Udon noodles are generally considered to be vegan-friendly.
Udon is an ideal choice for those who prefer simplicity. While Ramen usually has heavy toppings, Udon tends to be made as simple as possible. Due to their thickness, Udon noodles can absorb the broth to yield a more heavenly and fulfilling taste.
2. Ugali
Originating from Africa, ugali is made from cornmeal porridge. This dish can be cooked in either water or milk until it reaches the desired consistency. Simple yet appetizing, ugali is considered to be a staple food in many parts of Africa.
Ugali can be enjoyed with many different side dishes or drinks. These can include butter, milk, vegetables, meat, and stew. Depending on personal preferences, ugali can be eaten hot or cold. For those who’re looking for a crunchier bite, they can fry this dish to their liking.
3. Ukha
Ukha is a clear soup from Russia. While its ingredients may vary from region to region, its main component remains the same – fish. The type of fish for a classic ukha soup can be salmon, sturgeon, bream, catfish, northern pike, or cod.
As ukha revolves mainly around fish, this dish contains only a minimum of vegetables. These vegetables are usually leeks or potatoes. Ukha can be served with green parsley and black pepper for added flavor.
To make the best ukha, you’ll need to use fresh fish. If you use frozen fish, the dish might end up not being as rich and flavorful. Making ukha might sound simple on paper, but in reality, it takes practice to cook this soup – which is one of the best dishes in Russian cuisine.
4. Ulava Charu
This insanely popular Andhra soup is always best served with steaming hot rice. A staple of South Indian cuisine, Ulava Charu is the perfect combination of tamarind water, tomatoes, garlic, peppers, coriander, red chilies, and other spices.
Boasting an earthy flavor with a hint of spices, Ulava Charu is believed to be capable of preventing kidney stones, relieving cough, and reducing phlegm. Maybe it is because of its deliciousness and health benefits, Ulava Charu is usually served at weddings and parties.
5. Unagi
Another amazing Japanese dish for you to try, unagi refers to freshwater eel. Unagi should not be confused with anago, which is a Japanese saltwater eel. You can enjoy unagi with a bowl of steaming rice, or you can eat it with savory-sweet sauce for extra flavor.
Due to the rich and fatty nature of its flavor, unagi will taste exceptionally amazing when grilled. Not only is unagi an appetizing dish, but it is also known to be highly nutritious. You can find a high amount of calcium, protein, as well as vitamin A in unagi.
6. Uni
Considered to be a world-class delicacy, uni originates from Japanese cuisine. As uni is the Japanese word for sea urchin, uni dish refers to the edible part of these sea creatures, which typically is their gonads.
The two types of uni that you will find in a Japanese restaurant are Murasaki and Bafun. Uni can be eaten raw or cooked. You can enjoy it as uni sushi and sashimi, or you can enjoy it in a steaming pot of Ichigo-ni – a type of Japanese hot pot.
As only a small percentage of uni are edible, and the edible parts of each uni aren’t much, it stands to reason that this Japanese delicacy is considered to be a luxury that not many can afford.
7. Upma
Upma, also known as uppumavu or uppittu, is a dish found in India. It is a thick porridge, which can be cooked from either dry-roasted semolina or flour made from rice. For a better flavor and consistency, you can add a wide variety of vegetables as well as seasonings into the dish as you cook.
You can expect to find many variations to this dish in many parts of India, the most common of which is Sooji upma. Besides the typical vegetables and seasonings, you can find beans, peanuts, and cashews in this dish. Some might substitute green chilies with chili powder for a more powerful kick.
8. Usal
This staple dish from Maharashtrian cuisine is made from certain types of legumes such as matki, moth beans, black-eyed beans, black grams, or lentils. Prior to cooking, these legumes are left in water for a day or two to sprout.
Besides legumes, Usal can contain tomatoes, potatoes, coconut shreds, and various herbs. However, one essential ingredient that should not be overlooked is curry leaves, onion, and spices. As a result, Usal is also known as “spicy curry with sprouted beans.”
As the dish consists mainly of legumes as well as various herbs and spices, Usal is considered to be vegan-friendly.
9. Uszka
Due to their unique shape, uszka can be referred to as “little ears.” As one of Polish three main dumplings, this food is a traditional dish for many Polish families during Christmas.
While uszka can be filled with minced meat, these Polish dumplings are more likely to be stuffed with wild forest mushrooms. For a more refined flavor, you might add unsalted butter, onion, parsley, and pepper.
Traditionally, uszka is served with borscht – a combination of beef stock and sauteed vegetables. For those who prefer something simple, uszka can be enjoyed with melted butter and some herbs.
10. Uthappam
Pancakes don’t always have to be served with honey and/or syrup. Originating from South India, Uthappam is a type of crispy pancake. Traditionally, Uthappam is thick and heavy with toppings.
The batter for Uthappam consists mainly of rice and urad dal. Once thoroughly mixed, this combination is left overnight to ferment and rise.
One of the most common toppings for this dish is onions. However, you can add other ingredients such as tomatoes, green chili, carrots, or coriander leaves into the mix.
11. Utica Greens
This Italian American dish gained its popularity in 1980 and has since claimed its title as one of the most commonplace foods found in Italian restaurants. As it features hot peppers, Utica Green is quite spicy.
Other than hot pepper, Utica Green can also contain various sauteed vegetables, escaroles, prosciutto, grated cheese, bread crumbs, garlic, and pepper. In case you can’t handle the spice, you can substitute hot peppers with Sweet ‘n’ Hot peppers for a milder taste.
13 Mouth-Watering Snacks And Desserts With A “U” As A Beginning
A meal can never be truly completed without desserts. Here are some tasty snacks and desserts that start with a “u.”
12. Ube
This Philippine dessert has charmed the hearts of many, and I’m sure that it will soon charm yours too. Made from cooked and mashed purple yams, ube can be added to many tasty treats – ice creams, cookies, macarons, etc.
Is uber more than its captivating look? Yes! Ube boasts a mellow and mildly sweet taste, which makes it the perfect addition to many sweets. Its flavor is good enough that you can ube with a simple bowl of condensed milk.
Ube is also known to be quite healthy. With nutrition values similar to a sweet potato, ube is rich in healthy carbs, vitamins, and fiber. Even better, this pretty yam has been proven to contain a high level of antioxidants as well.
13. Ukrainian Garlic Bread Rolls
Also known as Pampushki, these pull-apart garlic rolls originated from Ukraine. These appetizing rolls usually go with Ukrainian Borsch, Kharcho, and many other dishes. As these rolls are served with a hearty amount of garlic and herbs, Pampushki makes the perfect addition to your meal.
As you can probably guess from images alone, Ukgrainian rolls are exceptionally soft and fluffy. If they are made right, these rolls can feel like they’re melting in your mouth. I can guarantee that garlic bread enthusiasts will find this treat right up their alley.
14. Umeboshi
Umeboshi refers to Japanese pickled plum. Umeboshi is one of the most popular pickled fruits in Japanese. This is probably due to its divine taste – which is the perfect balance between salty and sour.
Some variations of umeboshi also exist, the most popular of which is the sweet umeboshi, which is usually glazed with honey.
Umeboshi can be enjoyed as snacks, or you can use it as a cooking accent to improve the dish flavor. Some might enjoy umeboshi with sochu – a type of Japanese alcohol, or eat it with rice.
15. Unglazed Donuts
When it comes to donuts, many people prefer this snack to be glazed with sugar, honey, or other sorts of confectionery. However, this doesn’t mean that unglazed donuts have fallen into obscurity.
In fact, as many are becoming more aware of their health, more and more people are opting for unglazed donuts so that they can still enjoy their favorite treat without feeling guilty about indulging themselves.
16. U-No Bar
I’m sure you know that U-No bar has nothing to do with Uno card games. It is, in fact, a candy bar made from milk chocolate, cocoa powder, ground almonds, and whey powder.
With its sweet and chocolatey flavor, U-no bar will satisfy your taste buds and curb your hunger. Due to its high fat per gram ratio, this candy bar is more than enough to give you a great energy boost to last through the day.
17. Uncured Hot Dogs
Wait, what does uncured hot dogs mean?
Uncured hot dogs mean that the food does not have sodium nitrite or manufactured salted. Even though uncured hot dogs might not have sodium nitrite, it still contains additives from celery powder.
So, does this mean that uncured hot dogs are still as unhealthy as normal hog dogs? Unfortunately, that is the case. However, there’s nothing wrong with indulging yourself every now and then.
18. Unique Pretzels
Flavored pretzels? Count me in. Unique pretzels sure know how to make a tasty treat. This brand produces pretzels in many enticing flavors. If you ever get your hands on this snack, I can guarantee that you’ll finish the bag even before you can notice it. Yes, it’s that addicting.
19. Unsweetened Chocolate
As the name may suggest, unsweetened chocolate is pure chocolate without any additives such as sugars. Unsweetened chocolate is made from two ingredients only – cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
While unsweetened chocolate might not be as popular, there’s no denying that this treat is exceptionally healthy. Without the sugars to spike your health, unsweetened chocolate is rich in antioxidants and is known to promote better blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
If you find unsweetened chocolate to be too bitter, you can use it for baking. Its robust chocolate taste will improve your recipe and make your baked goods stand out.
20. Upside-Down Cake
How can a cake be upside-down? Does it have anything to do with the Upside Down from the series Stranger Things?
As it turns out, an upside-down cake is a cake that is baked in a pan with the toppings placed in the bottom instead of the top, hence the name. When you serve the cake, you’ll need to place the pan upside-down and remove the cake from it.
You can make upside-down cake with virtually any fruit – strawberries, peaches, bananas, pears, mangos, apricots, apples, etc. However, the most common fruit used for upside-down cake toppings is pineapples.
21. Urgelia Cheese
Originating from Spain, Urgelia cheese is made from pasteurized cow’s milk and cured for a short amount of time. It boasts a semi-firm consistency, creamy texture, and a mildly perforated interior.
Due to its robust flavor and how it can hold its shape well, even in extreme temperatures, Urgelia cheese is mainly used for baking and grilling. However, you can serve this salty cheese with salads; or you can enjoy it with a cup of beer.
22. Ustipci
Also referred to as fried mini bread, ustipci is deep-fried dough balls. In many parts of the world, ustipci is considered to be a Christmas treat. If you take a bite of this, you’ll understand why – the sweet, savory taste of ustipci is hard to rival with.
Ustipci is usually served with Kaymak – a creamy dairy food not unlike clotted cream. Some might prefer to enjoy this treat with powdered sugar, whereas others might pour honey or syrup onto this tasty snack.
23. Utz Potato Chips
Utz potato chips come in various flavors for you to choose from. Whether you’re looking for something spicy, something sweet, something salty, something sour, Utz has it all.
Aside from their impressive variety of flavors, Utz is also known for their quality. I have never seen anyone say anything bad about Utz potato chips. Yes, they’re that good.
24. Utah Scone
Utah scones, also known as fried scones, are a mouth-watering dessert that any sweet tooth will love. Served with honey and a pinch of powdered sugar, this treat is tasty enough that it will keep you coming back for more.
Made from carefully kneaded dough, Utah scones are extremely fluffy and soft. Due to its light texture, this fried scone can be served to virtually anyone of any age.
6 Fruits And Vegetables Beginning With A “U”
You don’t mention food without thinking of fruits and vegetables. So, let’s list out some fruits and vegetables that begin with a “u.”
25. Ugli Fruit
True to its name, “ugli fruit,” this citrus food from Jamaica surely might not be pleasant to look at. Known to some as Jamaican tangelo, the ugli fruit is a crossbreed of an orange with a grapefruit. Perplexing as the combination may sound, the resulting fruit is delicious enough that most will not give its strange origin a second thought.
So, how does an ugli fruit taste? Well, this fruit has strong citrusy notes. Unlike some grapefruits, which can be bitter, an ugli fruit has a hint of sweetness. Aside from that, an ugli fruit also boasts a pleasantly fragrant rind.
26. Ugni Fruit
Ugni fruit, or more commonly referred to as “strawberry myrtle,” is a native plant in Chile. Very small in size, ugni fruit can be used to make jams or as an ingredient for desserts.
Depending on the type variation, ugni fruits can have a wild-strawberry-like taste or a flavor similar to spicy guava.
Upon first glance, ugni fruit may look assuming. However, this strawberry-like fruit boasts several health benefits, such as reduction of cancer risks, improving cardiovascular health, as well as relieving gastric and duodenal ulcers.
27. Ulluco
Ulluco is one of the most widely harvested root crops in South Africa. The tuber part of ulluco has been proven to be rich in calcium, protein, fiber, as well as carotene. Aside from that, ulluco tubers also contain a high amount of carbs, making them an exceptionally nutritious vegetable.
28. Umbrella Fruit
Umbrella, aka ambarella, is a tree commonly found in tropical or equatorial regions. This tropical tree bears crunchy, sour-tasting fruits. Once these fruits fully ripen, they can have a hint of sweetness and a pineapple-mango flavor.
Umbrella fruits can be enjoyed in various ways, depending on each specific region. In Vietnam, umbrella fruit is eaten with shrimp paste; some Vietnamese might prefer the fruit with salt and chili. In Fiji, umbrella fruits are usually made into jam. In Samoa and Tonga, it is the main ingredient for otai – a kind of drink.
29. Umbu Fruit
Indigenous to Brazil, umbu fruit has a distinctly soft and juicy texture, and it is sweet and aromatic. Once ripened, umbu fruits can appear yellow. Due to its soft and vulnerable texture, the fruit can damage easily and, therefore, needs to be harvested by hand.
Like many fruits, the umbu fruits can be either eaten fresh or made into jam. For instance, in Sertão, the umbu is cooked until the flesh is separated from the peel. Afterward, this liquid is cooked with sugar until the mix becomes jam. In some other regions, this fruit can be made into drinks such as fruit juice.
30. Urad Dal
You might notice that urad dal has already been mentioned in the section above. That’s right; urad dal is an ingredient for making uthappam. These beans are also used for making other Indian dishes, such as urad dal soup.
Aside from its impressive flavor, urad dal is popular in India due to its several health benefits. These beans are known to be capable of improving digestion, protecting your heart, and boosting your energy. There is also proof that urad dal can improve bone health, promote your nervous system, and control diabetes.
3 Intoxicating Drinks That Start With The Letter “U”
What about drinks? Is there any drink that starts with the letter “u”? Well, the up-to-date is here to complement your list.
31. Ultimate Blue Frozen Margarita
These margarita slushies will be the perfect refreshing drink for your sweet lover friends. Aside from its gorgeous blue color, the drink usually has a generous amount of moscato – a sweet wine that virtually anyone (of age) can drink.
The sweetness from moscato will pair exceptionally well with a touch of fresh lime juice and tequila. If you don’t want your drink to be too sweet, you can ditch moscato altogether.
32. Uncle Sam Cocktail
This might not be the most popular cocktail out there, but it certainly is a nice drink when you want to reminisce about the past and feel like a kid again. This drink consists of Pop Rocks on the rim, a splash of Coke and Kool-Aid, then pour some Bourbon in.
When tasting this drink, you’ll notice the fizzling of Pop Rocks – a treat every child loves. The combined sweetness from Coke and Kool-Aid somehow will bring out the smooth notes of your Bourbon. The drink can be mellow, but it sure tastes good.
33. Up-To-Date
The up-to-date might be at least a hundred-year-olds, but let it be said that this cocktail is a still fashionable drink – a drink that is still up-to-date. Although the reason for its seemingly everlasting popularity still eludes many, there’s no denying that this sherry-based drink makes the perfect companion for a party.
The up-to-date cocktail is a flexible drink. You can switch Sweet Sherry for Amontillado, bourbon and rye are virtually interchangeable, or you can opt for orange bitters instead of Angostura bitters. Whatever choice you might make, the resulting drink is still a strong cocktail that will leave the unsuspected dizzy.
2 Herbs With “U” As The First Letter
As there are quite a lot of herbs out there, it’s understandable that there would be at least one type of herb with “u” as its first letter.
34. Unicorn Root
Sometimes referred to as colic root, perhaps its name comes from the fact that this plant is rather elusive and hard to find. It tends to bloom during the summer; during this time, you can find unicorn roots in various habitats, including rich woods and open prairies.
As it has a slightly bitter taste, unicorn root tends to find its place in a pharmacy rather than the kitchen. Back in the 19th century, the plant was used as a primary treatment for colic. However, Native Americans also found that unicorn root can relieve gastrointestinal problems and dysentery.
35. Urfa Pepper Flakes
This Turkish pepper has a smoky, sultry flavor with a subtle note of sweetness that makes it go well with treats such as chocolate chip cookies. In Turkish cuisine, Urfa pepper is served with meat and other savory foods. You can also add this pepper to various vegetables.
To make Urfa pepper flakes, you need to sun-dry the peppers before tightly wrapping them at night. This “sweating” process is for infusing the dried pepper with the remaining moisture inside the flesh. As a result, Urfa pepper flakes can have deep maroon or purple colors.
Do Yummy Foods That Start With “U” Surprise You?
As you can probably notice, there are many types of foods that start with “u. They can be sweet; they can be sour. They can be spicy; they can be salty. Whatever their taste might be, I’m certain that you will enjoy many of the foods listed above.
I hope that my list has been helpful to you in expanding your knowledge of different cuisines and dishes around the world. If you like this list, don’t forget to share it with your family and friends so they can learn more about the cuisine of the world as well.
