Food That Starts With U: Find The Foods You Crave

Whether you just want to impress your friends, or just have a general interest in all things food, you’ll want to check out our article on foods that start with u. While some of the food items on our list are ethnic foods like Ugali and Ukrainian rolls, you will also stumble upon more common foods like umble pie and unleavened bread. Let’s take a look.

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Foods that start with the letter "u"

1. Udon 

Udon noodles are wheat noodles made from white flour and water and have a chewy texture. Udon noodles can be eaten as a main dish or a side dish. They can also be eaten plain with dipping sauces, or they can be cooked with vegetables and meat to make udon soup or udon stir-fry. They are also usually eaten with soup-based dishes like miso ramen.

It is thought that the name of the dish comes from the Japanese word "udon”, which means "flour paste." It is believed that udon noodles were originally made by pounding dough into thin sheets before cutting them into strips.

These thin wheat noodles were originally served hot, but now cold versions are equally popular. As one of the oldest types of pasta known today, udon noodles originated in China before being brought over to Japan; there they became famous for their smooth texture and delicious broth made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, bonito fish flakes, and kombu seaweed. 

2. Ube Halaya

Ube Halaya is a traditional Filipino dessert, with its main ingredient being purple yam. It is often eaten as a snack or dessert and is commonly served with grated coconut.

Ube Halaya can be eaten in many ways, by itself, with ice cream, or in rice cakes. The most popular way to eat Ube Halaya is to mix the Ube Jam into an ube cake batter. This creates a delicious cake that can feature different toppings.

What makes Ube Halaya different from other similar dessert options is that you don't need any special equipment to make it. All you need is a blender, a pot, and a spatula. Once everything is ready, simply blend the mixture until it reaches desired consistency. Then pour into molds and freeze overnight. 

3. Udo

This Japanese pickled vegetable has been around since the 16th century when people started growing it inside bamboo stalks. Today, this versatile veggie tastes great on its own, in sushi rolls, salads, stir-fries, soups, and more.

It's often compared to green beans because both vegetables come from the same plant family (the legume family), but Udo is slightly sweeter than regular green beans. It is a good source of fiber. Udo can be found in most Asian supermarkets.

4. Ugali

Ugali, also known as nsima, is a staple food across many parts of Africa, including Uganda. It is boiled maize flour cooked with water. When done right, it becomes fluffy and soft enough to cut easily. However, when prepared incorrectly, it may become hard and fibrous.

Also called zwieback, ugali is available in packages, cans, and jars. Since it takes longer to cook, store-bought ugali tends to be thicker, softer, and chewier than homemade varieties. On top of that, buying pre-made ugali significantly cuts down on prep work. 

The word "ugali" comes from the verb "ugala”, which means to grind or mash something. The grain used most often in ugali production is millet, but corn and sorghum are also sometimes used. The dish itself also is of cultural importance for Malawi cuisine, as it was included in the list of intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

5. Ugli fruit

An excellent source of fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, and vitamin C, Ugli fruits are small yellow peaches grown on trees native to Central America. Although they look very tiny, Ugli contains approximately ten large seeds. It is commonly used to create various sauces, jams, jellies, syrups, chutneys, preserves, and candied peelings. Ugli is widely distributed throughout Mexico, Guatemala, and many other South American countries. 

Ugli fruit has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. This helps with weight loss because it reduces inflammation which can cause fat cells to grow larger. Ugli fruit also contains vitamin C which helps with collagen production, which will keep skin looking young and healthy.

6. Umami burger

The umami burger is a modern-day take on the classic hamburger that uses a savory, umami-rich sauce to make it more flavorful. Umami burgers consist of meat products infused with umami flavors such as mushrooms, anchovies, truffles, parmesan cheese, and aged cheddar. Umami burgers are generally enjoyed with red wine. Unlike traditional hamburgers, they are extremely difficult to replicate at home. 

7. Upma

Upma is a traditional South Indian breakfast dish that originated in the coastal regions of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The dish is traditionally cooked with rice and ground split black lentils, and seasoned with spices like cumin seeds, pepper, ginger, and curry leaves. 

Made primarily from rice, Upmas are steamed Indian bread patties seasoned with spices. Traditionally served alongside curry meals, they are sometimes topped with onions, tomatoes, coriander leaves, and cucumber slices. Some recipes call for adding grated carrots, peas, black gram lentils, and potatoes. According to Ayurvedic principles, Upma helps fight inflammation and relieves constipation.

8. Urad dal

Urad dal, also known as urad bean, is a pulse grain cultivated mainly in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, and Ethiopia. Like white basmati rice, Urad Dal is considered by many to be a healthy alternative to whole grains. One cup is approximately 100 calories and provides essential nutrients such as folate, manganese, and dietary fiber. 

The urad dal is also known as the black lentil because it has a blackish color and is not as shiny as other types of lentils. It also has more texture than other types of lentils, which makes it more suitable for making dishes like uthappam or sambhar.

9. Unagi

Unagi is a freshwater fish that is native to Japan and has the longest lifespan of any fish in the world. It is a type of eel and it can grow up to 2 meters long. Unagi can be found in many rivers across Japan, but it prefers freshwater lakes or ponds with little salt content.

In Japanese cuisine, A high-protein food, Unagi, is usually served with wasabi. The eel is typically grilled or fried, and may be accompanied by rice, noodles, and vegetables.

10. Umble pie

Umber pie is made with umber, a type of dark brown or black pigment. The color of umber pie is typically a deep, dark brown, and the flavor is like chocolate or coffee. Umber pie is usually made with a pie crust, although some recipes call for a cake or cookie crust. The filling is typically made with umber, sugar, eggs, and milk or cream. Umber pie is often served with whipped cream or ice cream.

11. Ube

Ube is a purple yam that is very popular in the Philippines and is used in many dishes and desserts. Ube, also known as Purple Yam or Taro, comes from the root of a plant called Colocasia Esculenta. The purple color comes from anthocyanin which is a pigment found in plants. 

Ube has been used for centuries in Filipino cuisine, but it has only recently begun to gain international recognition. In the Philippines, ube is used to make desserts like ice cream, cakes, and pancakes. Ube can be found in other products like soaps and shampoos.

12. Umbrella fruit

Umbrella fruit is a type of fruit that grows in warm climates. The fruit is round and has a thick, fleshy outer layer. The inside of the fruit is filled with seeds. Umbrella fruit is often used in salads and it is a good source of vitamins and minerals. The umbrella fruit grows on a tree or shrub and is a round, umbrella-shaped cluster of yellow-orange fruit

13. Unleavened bread

Unleavened bread is a type of bread that does not have any leavening agent in it. It is usually made from flour, water, and salt. Unleavened bread is typically eaten during Passover, a Jewish holiday. It has been a traditional, and somewhat sacred food for Jews for centuries. It is used in other religious traditions as well, such as Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Islam.

There are different types of unleavened bread in different cultures. The most popular ones are matzo and injera. Matzo is a Jewish unleavened bread and it is eaten during Passover. It consists of flour and water, with no fat content at all. Injera on the other hand is an Ethiopian unleavened bread made from teff flour, water, and salt 

14. Ukrainian rolls

Ukrainian rolls are traditional bread typically made from wheat flour, water, salt, and yeast. It is often formed into a long and thin loaf. The finished bread is typically golden in color and has a slightly chewy texture.

Ukrainian roll is typically eaten as a part of a meal, but it can also be enjoyed as a snack. It can be served plain or with a variety of toppings, such as butter, cheese, jam, or honey. Ukrainian rolls can be used as an ingredient in other dishes such as soups or stews.

15. Umbricelli pasta

A symbolic Italian food, Umbricelli pasta is a type of pasta made from semolina flour and water. It is extruded through a die to create its characteristic shape, which is similar to that of a thick spaghetti noodle. This type of pasta is commonly used in Italian cuisine, served with simple tomato sauces or pesto.

16. Uthappam

Uthappam is a type of Indian pancake that is made with a fermented batter of rice and lentils. It is popular in South India and is often served for breakfast or as a snack. Uthappam is usually topped with vegetables, coconut, and spices, and can be made with either fresh or leftover batter.

17. Umeboshi

Umeboshi is a Japanese fruit that is known for its sour taste. It is also called the "ume plum". The umeboshi was originally a medicinal plant consumed by people who had stomach issues and was said to improve digestion. It is still thought to be beneficial today in Japan, where it is eaten after a meal or by those who want an energy boost. 

Umeboshi has been used in many traditional Japanese dishes to provide the taste and texture that people enjoy. It has been known to help with diarrhea, stomach aches, indigestion, and in preventing cancer growth.

Summary

In this installment of our series ‘foods that start with’, we stopped by to explore all the exotic and traditional foods that might taste strange to Westerners. Foods that start with the letter "u" include uthappam and upma, two of the finest dishes originating from India, along with udon and udo, two traditional Japanese dishes. Just like those, there are many different ethnic foods included. Bacon and eggs will only get you so far, so do yourself a favor and try some of these out!