25 Unique Foods That Start with the Letter Y

Foods that start with the letter “Y” offer a wide range of flavors, textures, and culinary traditions.

From savory dishes to sweet treats and everyday ingredients to exotic specialties, this list explores 25 foods that will surprise and delight any food enthusiast.

Whether looking for something new or curious about global cuisine, these “Y” foods offer a delicious adventure.

Let’s dive in!

List of Foods Starting with Y

1. Yogurt

Yogurt is a fermented dairy product made by adding bacteria cultures to milk. It’s known for its creamy texture and tangy flavor and is often consumed plain, sweetened, or flavored with fruit.

• Taste: Tangy and slightly sour.
• Texture: Creamy and smooth.
• Use: Eat as a snack, in parfaits, or as a smoothie base.

2. Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin tuna is a type of tuna known for its mild flavor and firm, meaty texture. It’s commonly used in sushi, grilled, or seared as a steak.

• Taste: Mild and slightly sweet.
• Texture: Firm and meaty.
• Use: Served raw in sushi or seared as a steak.

3. Yuzu

Yuzu is a citrus fruit native to East Asia, often used for its juice and zest. It has a tart, tangy flavor that’s a mix of lemon, lime, and grapefruit.

• Taste: Tart and tangy with citrus notes.
• Texture: Juicy and slightly pulpy.
• Use: Used in sauces, drinks, and desserts.

4. Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire pudding is a British dish made from a simple batter of eggs, flour, and milk. It’s baked until golden and crispy and is traditionally served with roast beef and gravy.

• Taste: Savory and slightly eggy.
• Texture: Crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy inside.
• Use: Served as a side dish with roasts.

5. Yabby (Australian Crustacean)

Yabby is a freshwater crustacean native to Australia.

It has a sweet, delicate flavor similar to lobster and is often boiled or grilled.

• Taste: Sweet and slightly salty.
• Texture: Tender and firm.
• Use: Boiled, grilled, or served with butter and lemon.

6. Yellowtail

Yellowtail is a popular Japanese fish known for its rich flavor and firm texture.

It’s often served as sushi, sashimi, or grilled.

• Taste: Rich and slightly sweet.
• Texture: Firm and meaty.
• Use: Served raw in sushi or grilled as a main course.

7. Yautia (Root Vegetable)

Yautia is a starchy root vegetable commonly used in Caribbean and Latin American cuisine.

It has a mild, earthy flavor and is often boiled, mashed, or added to soups.

• Taste: Mild and earthy.
• Texture: Starchy and soft when cooked.
• Use: Used in soups, stews, or mashed as a side dish.

8. Yeast

Yeast is a microorganism used in baking and brewing to ferment dough or produce alcohol.

It’s essential for making bread rise and for brewing beer and wine.

• Taste: Slightly nutty or fermented when used in food.
• Texture: Granular or smooth when activated.
• Use: Used in baking and brewing.

9. Yam Bean

Yam bean, also known as jicama, is a root vegetable with a crisp, juicy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

It’s often eaten raw in salads or used in stir-fries.

• Taste: Mildly sweet and crunchy.
• Texture: Crisp and juicy.
• Use: Eaten raw in salads or cooked in stir-fries.

10. Yellow Beans

Yellow beans are a type of legume similar to green beans but with a yellow hue.

When cooked, they are tender and slightly sweet and can be used in various dishes.

• Taste: Mild and slightly sweet.
• Texture: Tender when cooked.
• Use: Used in salads, stir-fries, or as a side dish.

11. Yokan (Japanese Dessert)

Yokan is a traditional Japanese dessert made from red bean paste, agar, and sugar.

It’s firm and jelly-like and has a sweet, delicate flavor.

• Taste: Sweet with a subtle bean flavor.
• Texture: Firm and jelly-like.
• Use: Served as a dessert, often with tea.

12. Yellow Watermelon

Yellow watermelon is a variation of the common watermelon but with yellow flesh.

It has a similar sweet taste, but some say it’s slightly milder than red watermelon.

• Taste: Sweet and refreshing.
• Texture: Juicy and soft.
• Use: Eaten fresh, in fruit salads, or blended into juices.

13. Yuca (Cassava)

Yuca, also known as cassava, is a starchy root vegetable popular in Latin American, African, and Asian cuisines.

It’s often boiled, fried, or used to make tapioca.

• Taste: Mild and starchy.
• Texture: Firm and starchy when cooked.
• Use: Used in fries, mashed, or ground into flour.

14. Youngberry

Youngberry is a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry, with a sweet, tart flavor.

It’s often eaten fresh or used in jams, pies, and desserts.

• Taste: Sweet with a tart finish.
• Texture: Juicy and slightly seedy.
• Use: Used in pies, jams, or eaten fresh.

15. Yellow Corn

Yellow corn is a versatile grain used in everything from tortillas to cornmeal.

It’s sweet and crunchy when fresh and becomes soft when cooked.

• Taste: Sweet and mild.
• Texture: Crunchy when fresh, soft when cooked.
• Use: Used in soups, salads, and side dishes.

16. Yakhni (South Asian Broth)

Yakhni is a flavorful broth made from meat (usually chicken or lamb), bones, and aromatic spices.

In South Asian cuisine, it’s often used as a base for soups, stews, and curries.

• Taste: Savory with aromatic spices.
• Texture: Light and clear.
• Use: Served as a broth or used in soups and stews.

17. Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skewers)

Yakitori is a popular Japanese dish consisting of grilled chicken skewers.

The chicken is usually marinated in a savory sauce and grilled over an open flame.

• Taste: Savory with a slightly sweet glaze.
• Texture: Tender and juicy.
• Use: Served as an appetizer or snack in Japanese cuisine.

18. Yiros (Greek-Style Kebab)

Yiros, also known as gyro, is a Greek-style kebab made with seasoned meat (usually lamb, pork, or chicken) cooked on a vertical rotisserie and served in a pita with vegetables and tzatziki sauce.

• Taste: Savory, tangy, and slightly spiced.
• Texture: Juicy meat with soft pita bread.
• Use: Eaten as a street food or main dish.

19. Yolk

Yolk is the yellow part of an egg that contains most of the egg’s fat and nutrients.

It’s rich and creamy and is used in both sweet and savory dishes.

• Taste: Rich and creamy.
• Texture: Soft and runny when uncooked, firm when cooked.
• Use: Used in cooking, baking, and sauces.

20. Yali Pear

Yali pear, also known as Chinese white pear, is a crisp, juicy fruit with a mild, sweet flavor.

It’s often eaten fresh or used in salads and desserts.

• Taste: Mild and sweet.
• Texture: Crisp and juicy.
• Use: Eaten fresh or used in salads and desserts.

21. Yellow Zucchini

Yellow zucchini is a vibrant, golden variety of zucchini.

Its flavor is similar to green zucchini but slightly sweeter.

• Taste: Mildly sweet and fresh.
• Texture: Tender and slightly firm when cooked.
• Use: Used in stir-fries, salads, or roasted as a side dish.

22. Yellow Rice

Yellow rice is rice that’s been colored and flavored with turmeric or saffron, giving it a bright yellow hue and a slightly earthy flavor.

It’s a staple in many cuisines, particularly in Latin American and Indian cooking.

• Taste: Mild with earthy undertones.
• Texture: Fluffy and light.
• Use: Served as a side dish or base for main dishes.

23. Yardlong Beans

Yardlong beans are a type of green bean that can grow up to a yard in length.

They have a mild flavor and are often used in stir-fries or curries.

• Taste: Mild and slightly sweet.
• Texture: Crisp when cooked.
• Use: Used in stir-fries, soups, and curries.

24. Yak Butter

Yak butter is made from the milk of yaks and is a staple in Himalayan cuisine.

It has a rich, creamy flavor and is often used in tea or cooking.

• Taste: Rich, creamy, and slightly salty.
• Texture: Smooth and soft.
• Use: Used in cooking, baking, or traditional yak butter tea.

25. Yam Fries

Yam fries are a delicious alternative to regular fries, made from sliced yams that are fried or baked until crispy.

They have a slightly sweet flavor and pair well with various dips.

• Taste: Sweet and savory.
• Texture: Crispy on the outside, soft inside.
• Use: Served as a side dish or snack with dips.

Conclusion

From sweet fruits to savory dishes, these 25 foods that start with “Y” showcase a diverse range of flavors and textures from around the world.

Whether you’re enjoying a refreshing yogurt parfait or savoring the rich taste of yak butter, this list offers something for every palate.

So, why not try something new and explore the unique foods that start with “Y”?

You might just discover a new favorite!