Food items that start with the letter "U" are not as common as others, but there are several.
1. Ube: This is a type of yam that is native to the Philippines. Ube is bright purple in color and is often used in sweet dishes, including pastries, cakes, and desserts.
2. Udon: A type of thick wheat noodle used commonly in Japanese cuisine. Udon can be served either hot as noodle soup or cold and typically garnished with negi (green onions).
3. Ugli Fruit: This is a citrus fruit that originated in Jamaica and is a hybrid of a grapefruit, orange, and tangerine. Despite its less-than-attractive exterior, its taste is said to be quite sweet and tangy.
4. Urap: This is a salad dish from Indonesia made of steamed vegetables mixed with seasoned and spiced grated coconut for dressing.
5. Ulava Charu: A thick horse gram soup from Andhra Pradesh, a southern state in India.
6. Ukoy: A type of Filipino fritter made from shrimp, pumpkin, and sweet potato.
7. Upma: This is a thick, porridge-like breakfast dish from southern India. It is typically made from dry-roasted semolina or coarse rice flour, and may include vegetables, nuts, and spices.
8. Urfa Biber: A variety of dried Turkish chili pepper of a dark burgundy color, often described as having a smoky, 'raisin-like' taste.
9. Umami Burger: A high-end fast-food burger restaurant based in California, or any burger intended to maximize the flavor of umami (a savory taste, one of the five basic tastes).
10. Ugli Fruit: A Jamaican form of tangelo, a citrus fruit that has a unique sweet flavor.
11. Unagi: This is a term for freshwater eel in Japanese cuisine. Unagi is often grilled and served over rice.
12. Uttapam: A type of dosa from South India, which is a thick pancake with toppings cooked right into the batter.
Each of these food items provides a unique taste or culinary experience, showcasing the rich diversity that exists in global food culture.