✔ Updated · 210 foods, sorted by category
Lamb, lasagna, lychee, lemons, legumes and lentils are just the start. Many of the foods and drinks people love begin with the letter L, from lobster rolls and lattes to lemon bars and lo mein.
This list rounds up 210 foods that start with L from all over the world, sorted into ten categories: fruits, vegetables, dishes, desserts, breads and grains, drinks, cheeses, meat and seafood, herbs and condiments, and international foods. A quick A-to-Z list at the end is handy for games and quizzes.
Foods that start with L, from everyday favorites to rare finds. The most popular:
Fruits That Start With L
Citrus, berries and tropical fruits that start with L, from everyday lemons to Andean lucuma.
Lemon
A bright yellow citrus fruit with sour, fragrant juice and zest, essential for lemonade, dressings, baking and seafood.
Lime
A small green citrus fruit, sharper and more aromatic than lemon, used in margaritas, key lime pie, salsas and Thai cooking.
Lychee
Also called litchi, a small fruit from southern China with bumpy red skin, a glossy seed and sweet, floral white flesh.
Longan
A close cousin of the lychee with smooth tan skin and juicy, translucent flesh, often called dragon eye in Asia.
Loquat
A small, apricot-colored fruit from East Asia with tangy-sweet flesh and large seeds, eaten fresh or made into jam.
Get the recipe →Loganberry
A dark red cross between a blackberry and a raspberry, tart and juicy, great in pies, jams and cordials.
Lingonberry
A small, tart red berry from Scandinavian forests, cooked into the sweet sauce served with Swedish meatballs and pancakes.
Langsat
Also called lanzones or lanseh, a Southeast Asian fruit grown in clusters, with pale skin and sweet, sour, segmented flesh.
Lucuma
An Andean fruit with dry, orange flesh that tastes like maple and sweet potato, a favorite ice cream flavor in Peru.
Lulo
Also called naranjilla, a fuzzy orange fruit from Colombia and Ecuador whose green, tangy pulp is blended into juice.
Lilly Pilly
A small pink or purple Australian rainforest berry with crisp, slightly sour flesh, made into jams, jellies and sauces.
Lemon Aspen
A pale yellow Australian bush fruit with an intense lemon and eucalyptus flavor, used in sauces, dressings and desserts.
Limeberry
A small red berry from a thorny Southeast Asian shrub related to citrus, eaten fresh or preserved as jam.
Lemonade Berry
A sticky red berry from a coastal California sumac shrub, soaked in water to make a tart, lemonade-like drink.
Limequat
A small hybrid of key lime and kumquat with an edible sweet rind and very sour juice, used like lime.
Limetta
Also called sweet lime, a pale citrus with low acidity and mild, sweet juice, popular in India and the Mediterranean.
Lapsi
A small, very sour Nepali hog plum, cooked into candy, pickles and the chewy fruit leather sold across Nepal.
Lakoocha
Also called monkey jack, a lumpy yellow fruit related to jackfruit, eaten ripe or used to sour curries in South Asia.
Lowbush Blueberry
The wild blueberry of Maine and eastern Canada, smaller and more intensely flavored than cultivated blueberries, great in muffins.
Lemon Guava
A yellow form of the cattley guava, about the size of a grape, with sweet, tangy flesh and a tropical aroma.
Lady Apple
A tiny, very old French apple variety with red and green skin and crisp, sweet flesh, often used for holiday decorations.
Lady Finger Banana
A small, thin-skinned banana about four inches long, sweeter and creamier than the Cavendish, popular in Australia and Asia.
Lapins Cherry
A large, dark red sweet cherry bred in Canada, firm and juicy, and one of the few self-pollinating sweet cherries.
Lambert Cherry
A heart-shaped, deep red sweet cherry from the Pacific Northwest, rich and firm, closely related to the Bing.
Lemonade Fruit
A New Zealand citrus, a cross between a lemon and a mandarin, with juice sweet enough to drink straight from the fruit.
Vegetables & Legumes That Start With L
Leafy greens, beans, roots and mushrooms that begin with L.
Lettuce
A leafy plant from the daisy family, grown as romaine, iceberg, butterhead and leaf lettuce, the base of most salads.
Leek
A long, mild member of the onion family with a white shaft and green tops, classic in potato leek soup.
Lentils
Small, lens-shaped legumes in green, brown, red and black, quick to cook and used in soups, dal and salads.
Lima Beans
Flat, pale green or cream beans with a buttery texture, also called butter beans and the star of succotash.
Lady's Finger
Another name for okra, a long green pod named for its slender finger shape, called bhindi in India and fried or stewed.
Lamb's Lettuce
Also called mâche or corn salad, small, tender rosettes of soft, nutty leaves for delicate winter salads.
Lambsquarters
A common wild green, also called goosefoot, with mild, spinach-like leaves that are cooked or eaten young in salads.
Lotus Root
The crunchy underwater stem of the lotus plant, with a lacy pattern of holes when sliced, stir-fried or added to soups.
Long Beans
Also called yardlong beans, slender green beans that can grow over a foot long, stir-fried with garlic in Asian cooking.
Lacinato Kale
Also called Tuscan or dinosaur kale, a dark, bumpy-leaved kale that is tender and sweet in soups and salads.
Little Gem Lettuce
A small, sweet lettuce somewhere between romaine and butterhead, with crisp hearts that hold up well in Caesar salads.
Lollo Rosso
An Italian loose-leaf lettuce with frilly, burgundy-tipped leaves and a mild, slightly bitter taste for colorful salads.
Lemon Cucumber
A round, pale yellow heirloom cucumber about the size of a lemon, with crisp, mild, never-bitter flesh.
Land Cress
A peppery, watercress-like green that grows in soil rather than water, used raw in salads and sandwiches.
Luffa
A ridged gourd eaten young as a tender, zucchini-like vegetable in Asian stir-fries; dried, it becomes a bath sponge.
Lupini Beans
Large, yellow legumes soaked and brined to remove bitterness, a salty Italian and Mediterranean snack eaten out of the skin.
Lablab Beans
Also called hyacinth beans, flat pods and beans grown across South Asia and Africa and cooked in curries and stews.
Lion's Mane Mushroom
A shaggy white mushroom with long, hanging spines and a tender, crab-like texture when pan-fried in butter.
Lobster Mushroom
A wild mushroom turned bright orange-red by a parasitic fungus, with firm flesh and a mild seafood-like taste.
Lotus Seeds
Mild, nutty seeds from the lotus flower, cooked in Chinese soups and sweet pastes or roasted into puffed makhana.
Loroco
Edible green flower buds from Central America with a grassy, floral flavor, famously mixed with cheese in Salvadoran pupusas.
Laver
An edible seaweed cooked into laverbread in Wales and pressed into sheets in Asia, related to Japanese nori.
Lakota Squash
A pear-shaped heirloom winter squash with red-orange and green skin and sweet, nutty flesh for roasting and pies.
Dishes & Meals That Start With L
Dinners, soups and comfort food classics that start with L. Lasagna is a firm favorite in our house.
Lasagna
An Italian baked dish of wide, flat pasta layered with meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan.
Get the recipe →Lasagna Soup
A cozy one-pot soup with all the flavors of lasagna: broken noodles, Italian sausage, tomato broth and a ricotta topping.
Lo Mein
A Chinese-American dish of soft egg noodles tossed with vegetables, a savory soy-based sauce and chicken, beef or shrimp.
Lobster Roll
A New England favorite of chilled lobster meat with mayo, or warm with butter, piled into a toasted split-top bun.
Lobster Bisque
A rich, silky French-style soup made from lobster shells, cream, brandy and tomato, finished with chunks of lobster.
Lobster Thermidor
A classic French dish of lobster meat in a creamy mustard and cognac sauce, baked in the shell under cheese.
Lobster Rangoon
Crisp fried wonton wrappers filled with lobster and creamy, seasoned cream cheese, a richer take on crab rangoon.
Get the recipe →Lobster Mac and Cheese
Elbow pasta baked in a rich cheese sauce with chunks of sweet lobster meat and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
Lamb Chops
Small, tender rib chops cut from the lamb rack, seasoned with garlic and rosemary and grilled or seared to pink.
Leg of Lamb
A large, flavorful roasting joint studded with garlic and herbs, a traditional centerpiece for Easter and Sunday dinners.
Lamb Shank
The lower leg of the lamb, braised slowly in wine and stock until the meat falls from the bone.
Lamb Stew
Chunks of lamb simmered with potatoes, carrots, onions and herbs, the classic base for Irish stew.
Lemon Chicken
Chicken roasted, pan-fried or battered with a bright lemon sauce, found in both Italian kitchens and Chinese-American restaurants.
Lemon Pepper Wings
Crispy fried chicken wings tossed in butter and zesty lemon pepper seasoning, an Atlanta wing shop favorite.
Get the recipe →Lemon Rice
A South Indian rice dish tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, peanuts and turmeric, brightened with lemon juice.
Lentil Soup
A hearty, budget-friendly soup of lentils simmered with onion, carrot, celery, garlic and cumin, eaten worldwide.
Lettuce Wraps
Crisp lettuce cups filled with savory minced chicken or pork, water chestnuts and hoisin sauce, eaten by hand.
Liver and Onions
A traditional diner dish of thin slices of liver pan-fried with sweet caramelized onions and served with gravy.
Get the recipe →Loaded Baked Potato
A fluffy baked potato topped with butter, sour cream, shredded cheddar, crispy bacon and chopped green onions.
Loaded Fries
French fries piled high with melted cheese, bacon, jalapeños, sour cream or chili, a sharable bar and game-day snack.
London Broil
An American dish of marinated flank or top round steak, broiled or grilled hot and sliced thinly against the grain.
Lancashire Hotpot
A northern English casserole of lamb and onions topped with overlapping sliced potatoes and baked slowly until golden.
Lobscouse
A meat and vegetable stew once eaten by northern European sailors and still loved in Liverpool, where it is called scouse.
Linguine with Clams
Linguine alle vongole: pasta tossed with fresh clams, garlic, white wine, olive oil, chili and parsley.
Lyonnaise Potatoes
A French side dish of sliced potatoes pan-fried with caramelized onions and parsley, named after the city of Lyon.
Lighthouse Inn Potatoes
A Connecticut side dish of tender potato cubes baked in cream and butter under a golden breadcrumb crust.
Get the recipe →Desserts & Sweets That Start With L
Cakes, cookies, pies and candy that start with L, with plenty of lemon. Lemon bars are my bake-sale standby.
Ladyfingers
Light, dry sponge biscuits shaped like fingers, soaked in coffee for tiramisu or used to line charlottes.
Lamington
An Australian sponge cake square dipped in thin chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut, sometimes with jam inside.
Lane Cake
A Southern layer cake from Alabama filled with a boozy mix of pecans, raisins, coconut and bourbon, mentioned in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Lady Baltimore Cake
A white Southern layer cake filled with chopped dried fruit and nuts and covered in fluffy white frosting.
Lava Cake
A small individual chocolate cake baked just long enough to leave a molten, gooey center that flows when cut.
Layer Cake
Any cake built from stacked sponge layers with frosting or filling between them, from birthday cakes to Smith Island cake.
Lebkuchen
Soft German spiced Christmas cookies made with honey, nuts and candied peel, often glazed or coated in chocolate.
Lekvar
A thick Central European fruit butter, usually prune or apricot, used to fill hamantaschen, kolaches and other pastries.
Lemon Bars
A buttery shortbread crust topped with tangy lemon custard and baked, then dusted with powdered sugar and cut into squares.
Lemon Curd
A smooth, tangy spread cooked from lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs and butter, for scones, tarts and cakes.
Lemon Drizzle Cake
A British loaf cake soaked with lemon syrup while still warm, giving it a crackly, sugary, citrus crust.
Lemon Icebox Pie
A Southern no-fuss pie of lemon juice and sweetened condensed milk in a graham crust, chilled until set.
Lemon Loaf
A moist, dense lemon pound cake baked in a loaf pan and topped with a thick, sweet lemon glaze.
Get the recipe →Lemon Meringue Pie
A pastry crust filled with tart lemon custard and piled with sweet, toasted meringue, a diner classic.
Lemon Posset
A silky English dessert made by boiling cream with sugar and setting it with lemon juice, no eggs needed.
Get the recipe →Lemon Sandwich Cookies
Crisp lemon cookies sandwiched with sweet, tangy lemon cream filling, a bright partner for afternoon tea.
Lemon Tart
A French tarte au citron of crisp sweet pastry filled with smooth, sharp lemon cream, often finished with powdered sugar.
Linzer Torte
An Austrian tart from Linz with a buttery, nut-rich crust filled with red currant or raspberry jam under a lattice top.
Linzer Cookies
Nutty sandwich cookies with a cutout window showing raspberry jam inside, dusted with powdered sugar for the holidays.
Licorice
A chewy candy flavored with licorice root extract, black and anise-like, though red licorice is a popular fruit-flavored cousin.
Lollipop
A hard sugar candy on a stick, also called a sucker or lolly, sold in countless colors and flavors.
Lemon Drops
Small, sugar-coated hard candies with a sweet and sour lemon flavor, an old-fashioned candy-store classic.
Lardy Cake
A rich English yeast cake from Wiltshire, layered with lard, sugar and dried fruit and baked until sticky.
Lemon Ice
A refreshing Italian ice of lemon juice, sugar and water, scooped from carts and shops in New York summers.
Breads, Pasta & Snacks That Start With L
Flatbreads, pasta shapes, grains and snacks that begin with L.
Lavash
A thin, soft flatbread from Armenia and the Middle East, baked against the walls of a clay oven and used for wraps.
Lefse
A soft Norwegian flatbread made from potatoes, flour and butter, rolled thin, griddled and spread with butter and sugar.
Limpa
A Swedish rye bread sweetened with molasses and flavored with orange zest, anise and fennel, a classic at Christmas.
Lángos
Hungarian fried flatbread, crisp outside and chewy inside, topped with garlic, sour cream and grated cheese.
Laobing
A Chinese pan-fried flatbread with flaky layers, often rolled with scallions or folded around savory fillings.
Lepinja
A soft, puffy Balkan flatbread split open and stuffed with ćevapi, onions and kajmak, a Bosnian street-food staple.
Laufabrauð
Icelandic leaf bread: paper-thin rounds cut with intricate patterns and fried crisp, made by families before Christmas.
Lagana
A flat, oval Greek bread topped with sesame seeds, baked specially for Clean Monday, the first day of Lent.
Lard Bread
An Italian-American loaf from Brooklyn studded with salami, prosciutto, black pepper and cheese, baked with lard.
Linguine
A flat, narrow pasta wider than spaghetti, from Liguria in Italy, and classic with pesto or seafood sauces.
Lumache
Snail-shaped pasta shells with an open end that scoops up chunky meat sauces, creamy sauces and melted cheese.
Lanterne
A ridged, lantern-shaped pasta with curved edges that trap sauce, a newer shape often used for baked dishes.
Lorighittas
A rare Sardinian pasta of thin strands twisted by hand into braided rings, traditionally made for All Saints Day.
Long-Grain Rice
Rice with slender grains that cook up fluffy and separate, including basmati and jasmine, ideal for pilafs and stir-fries.
Linseed
Another name for flaxseed, small brown or golden seeds added to breads, granola and oatmeal for a nutty crunch.
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin
A tender bakery muffin flavored with lemon zest and dotted with crunchy poppy seeds, often topped with a lemon glaze.
Lotus Biscoff
Crunchy Belgian caramelized speculoos cookies served with coffee, also sold as a sweet, spreadable cookie butter.
Drinks That Start With L
Coffees, teas, cocktails and soft drinks that start with L.
Latte
An espresso drink with lots of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam, mellow and creamy, often flavored with syrups.
Lemonade
A refreshing drink of lemon juice, water and sugar, still in the US and sparkling in Britain, a summer staple.
Limeade
A sweet and tart drink made like lemonade but with fresh lime juice, sometimes with cherry syrup or sparkling water.
Lassi
A chilled Indian yogurt drink, salted with cumin or sweetened with sugar and fruit, mango lassi being the most famous.
Limoncello
A bright yellow Italian lemon liqueur from the Amalfi Coast, made by steeping lemon zest in alcohol and served ice-cold.
Lynchburg Lemonade
A Tennessee whiskey cocktail of lemonade, triple sec and lemon-lime soda, named after the home town of Jack Daniel's.
Get the recipe →London Fog
A tea latte of Earl Grey with steamed milk and vanilla syrup, created in Vancouver, Canada.
Get the recipe →Long Island Iced Tea
A strong cocktail of vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec with sour mix and a splash of cola, though it contains no tea.
Lemon Drop Martini
A sweet and tart vodka cocktail with lemon juice, triple sec and simple syrup, served in a sugar-rimmed glass.
Lychee Martini
A fragrant, floral cocktail of vodka, lychee syrup and lychee liqueur, garnished with a whole peeled lychee.
Lime Rickey
A tall, bubbly drink of fresh lime juice, sugar and soda water, a soda fountain favorite with or without gin.
Last Word
A Prohibition-era cocktail of equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice, revived in modern bars.
Lapsang Souchong
A Chinese black tea from Fujian whose leaves are dried over pine fires, giving it a bold, smoky flavor.
Lager
The world's most popular beer style, fermented cool and slow with bottom-fermenting yeast for a crisp, clean taste.
Lambic
A tart, wild-fermented Belgian beer from near Brussels, often aged with cherries as kriek or blended into gueuze.
Liebfraumilch
A semi-sweet German white wine, mostly from the Rhine, hugely popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Lillet
A French aperitif wine from Bordeaux, blended with fruit liqueurs and served chilled with orange or used in a Vesper.
Limonana
A Middle Eastern frozen lemonade blended with lots of fresh mint, a favorite summer drink in Israel and Lebanon.
Liqueur
A sweetened spirit flavored with fruits, herbs, spices, nuts or cream, often served with or after dessert.
Cheeses & Dairy That Start With L
Strong, mild and creamy cheeses that start with L.
Limburger
A soft, washed-rind cheese from the old Duchy of Limburg, famous for its strong smell and surprisingly mild taste.
Liederkranz
A soft, pungent American cheese created in New York in the 1890s as a milder take on Limburger.
Lancashire
A crumbly, buttery English cheese from Lancashire, mild when young and sharper when aged, great for toasting.
Langres
A soft, orange-rinded French cow's milk cheese from Champagne with a sunken top, sometimes filled with champagne or brandy.
Livarot
A pungent washed-rind Normandy cheese tied with strips of reed, nicknamed the colonel for its five stripes.
Laguiole
A firm, tangy French cow's milk cheese from the Aubrac plateau, related to Cantal and used in aligot.
Leyden
A Dutch cheese from Leiden spiced with cumin seeds, made with partly skimmed milk and aged until firm.
Lappi
A mild, semi-hard Finnish cheese with small holes, made from cow's milk and good for melting on sandwiches.
Leerdammer
A mild, nutty Dutch cheese with large holes, similar to Swiss Emmental, sold sliced for sandwiches.
Lincolnshire Poacher
A hard English cheddar-style cheese from Lincolnshire, made with raw milk and aged for a deep, nutty flavor.
Labneh
Thick, tangy strained yogurt from the Middle East, spread on bread with olive oil and za'atar or rolled into balls.
Lor
A fresh, crumbly Turkish whey cheese similar to ricotta, used in boreks, pastries and breakfast spreads.
Meat & Seafood That Start With L
Shellfish, fish, sausages and cuts of meat that begin with L. I save lobster for special occasions.
Lamb
Tender meat from young sheep, roasted, grilled or stewed worldwide; meat from older sheep is called mutton.
Lobster
A large marine crustacean with sweet, rich meat in its tail and claws, boiled, steamed or grilled with butter.
Get the recipe →Langoustine
Also called Dublin Bay prawn or scampi, a small, slim orange lobster with very sweet and delicate tail meat.
Langouste
The French name for the spiny or rock lobster, which has no big claws, so its meat is all in the tail.
Lingcod
A North Pacific fish, also called buffalo cod, with mild, flaky white meat that is great for fish and chips.
Lemon Sole
A European flatfish with delicate, sweet white flesh, usually pan-fried in butter or baked whole.
Lake Trout
A large freshwater char from the Great Lakes and northern North America, with rich, oily flesh for smoking or grilling.
Lake Whitefish
A mild Great Lakes fish, famous smoked in Michigan, baked on a plank or turned into whitefish salad.
Littleneck Clams
The smallest size of hard-shell quahog clam, sweet and tender, eaten raw on the half shell or steamed.
Limpets
Cone-shaped shellfish that cling to coastal rocks, grilled with garlic butter in Portugal's Madeira and the Azores as lapas.
Lumpfish Roe
Small, crunchy fish eggs, dyed black or red, sold as an affordable caviar substitute for canapés and garnishes.
Lox
Thin slices of salt-cured salmon, a Jewish deli classic served on a bagel with cream cheese, capers and onion.
Liver
Nutrient-dense organ meat from calves, lambs, chickens and other animals, pan-fried, braised or blended into pâté.
Liverwurst
A soft, spreadable German-style sausage made from pork liver and spices, eaten on rye bread with onion and mustard.
Leberkäse
A Bavarian meatloaf of finely ground pork and beef baked in a loaf pan, sliced thick and served in a roll.
Lebanon Bologna
A dark, tangy, smoked and fermented beef sausage from Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty.
Landjäger
A dried, smoked German and Swiss sausage pressed into flat sticks, a chewy, shelf-stable snack for hikers.
Lap Cheong
A sweet, dried Chinese pork sausage seasoned with rice wine and soy, sliced into fried rice and clay pot dishes.
Linguiça
A smoked Portuguese pork sausage seasoned with garlic and paprika, popular in New England, Hawaii and Brazil.
Lomo
Spanish cured pork loin seasoned with paprika and garlic, air-dried and sliced paper-thin like ham for tapas.
Lardons
Small strips or cubes of pork fat or bacon, crisped and added to salads, quiche and French stews.
Loin
A tender cut of meat from the back of the animal between the ribs and the hip, sold as roasts, chops and steaks.
Herbs, Spices & Condiments That Start With L
Seasonings, fats and sauces that start with L.
Lemongrass
A tall, fragrant grass with a lemony, gingery flavor, essential in Thai curries, tom yum soup and Vietnamese marinades.
Lemon Balm
A mint-family herb with a gentle lemon scent, steeped into tea or chopped into salads, fruit and desserts.
Lemon Verbena
A shrub with narrow leaves and a strong, sweet lemon aroma, used in teas, syrups, sorbets and baked goods.
Lemon Thyme
A thyme variety with a bright citrus scent that pairs well with chicken, fish, vegetables and lemony desserts.
Lovage
A tall herb with a strong celery-like flavor, whose leaves season soups and stews and whose stems are candied.
Lavender
Fragrant purple flowers used sparingly in baking, teas, lemonades and the French herbes de Provence blend.
Laurel
The bay laurel tree, whose dried leaves, known as bay leaves, flavor soups, stews, sauces and braises.
Long Pepper
A slender, catkin-like spice related to black pepper, hotter and sweeter, used in Indian and Indonesian cooking.
Licorice Root
The sweet, anise-flavored root of the licorice plant, used to flavor candy, teas and some traditional drinks.
Lemon Pepper
A seasoning of cracked black pepper and dried lemon zest, sprinkled on chicken, fish, wings and vegetables.
Loomi
Dried black limes from the Persian Gulf, used whole or ground to give stews and rice a sour, smoky flavor.
Lime Pickle
A spicy, sour Indian condiment of limes preserved in oil with chili, mustard seeds and fenugreek, served with curries.
Liquid Smoke
A seasoning made by condensing real wood smoke into water, used to add barbecue flavor to sauces and marinades.
Lard
Rendered pork fat, soft and white, prized for flaky pie crusts, tender tamales and frying.
Lao Gan Ma
A best-selling Chinese chili crisp sauce from Guizhou, full of crunchy fried chilies and fermented soybeans.
Lyutenitsa
A Bulgarian relish of roasted red peppers, tomatoes and eggplant, spread on bread or served with grilled meat.
International Foods That Start With L
Global dishes that start with L, from the Philippines to Peru.
Latke
A crisp, golden pancake of grated potato, onion and egg, fried in oil for Hanukkah and served with applesauce or sour cream.
Laksa
A spicy noodle soup from Malaysia and Singapore, with rich coconut curry broth or sour tamarind broth, topped with seafood.
Larb
A Lao and Thai minced meat salad with lime juice, fish sauce, chili, herbs and toasted rice powder.
Lahmacun
A thin, crispy Turkish and Armenian flatbread topped with spiced minced lamb or beef, rolled with parsley and lemon.
Lumpia
Filipino spring rolls filled with ground pork and vegetables, fried until crisp and served with sweet chili sauce.
Lechon
A whole pig spit-roasted over charcoal until the skin is glassy and crackling, a festive dish in the Philippines and Cuba.
Leche Flan
A dense, rich Filipino custard made with egg yolks and condensed milk, steamed under a layer of dark caramel.
Lokum
Turkish delight: soft, chewy cubes of starch and sugar flavored with rosewater, lemon or pistachio and dusted with sugar.
Loco Moco
A Hawaiian plate of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg and plenty of brown gravy.
Lomo Saltado
A Peruvian stir-fry of beef strips, onions, tomatoes and soy sauce, served with both french fries and rice.
Locro
A thick Andean stew of corn, squash, beans and meat, a national dish in Argentina eaten on patriotic holidays.
Lutefisk
A Nordic Christmas dish of dried cod soaked in lye, giving it a jelly-like texture, served with butter and potatoes.
Lomi Lomi Salmon
A Hawaiian side dish of salted salmon massaged with diced tomatoes and onions, served chilled at luaus.
Laulau
A Hawaiian dish of pork and salted butterfish wrapped in taro leaves and ti leaves, then steamed for hours.
Lahpet Thoke
Burmese tea leaf salad of fermented tea leaves with crunchy fried beans, peanuts, sesame, tomato and cabbage.
Lagman
A Central Asian dish of hand-pulled noodles in a spicy stew of lamb, peppers and vegetables, popular in Uzbekistan and Xinjiang.
Lobio
A Georgian stew of red kidney beans with walnuts, coriander, garlic and herbs, served hot or cold with cornbread.
Liang Pi
Chinese cold-skin noodles from Shaanxi, slippery wheat or rice noodles dressed with chili oil, vinegar and cucumber.
Lion's Head Meatballs
Large, tender Chinese pork meatballs from Yangzhou, braised or simmered in broth with napa cabbage.
Loukoumades
Greek fried dough balls, crisp outside and fluffy inside, soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon and walnuts.
Lugaw
A comforting Filipino rice porridge cooked with ginger, often topped with fried garlic, green onions and a boiled egg.
Longganisa
Filipino sausage, sweet or garlicky depending on the region, served for breakfast with garlic rice and a fried egg.
Lohikeitto
A creamy Finnish salmon soup with potatoes, leeks and plenty of fresh dill, a Nordic comfort food classic.
Liptauer
A spicy Central European cheese spread of fresh cheese and butter flavored with paprika, onion and caraway.
Luqaimat
Crisp, golden Emirati dumplings drizzled with date syrup and sesame seeds, a sweet treat during Ramadan.
Lechazo
Milk-fed baby lamb roasted slowly in a wood-fired clay oven, the signature dish of Spain's Castile and Leon.
Did You Know?
- The loganberry was discovered by chance in 1883 in the Santa Cruz, California, garden of Judge James Harvey Logan, a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry.
- Lima beans are named after Lima, the capital of Peru, where they were shipped from to Europe and North America; they have been grown in the Andes for thousands of years.
- Liederkranz cheese was created in the 1890s in Monroe, New York, by Emil Frey, a deli owner trying to copy the Limburger loved by a German singing society.
- The lamington, a sponge cake dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut, is named after Lord Lamington, governor of Queensland, Australia, from 1896 to 1901.
Quick List: All 210 Foods That Start With L
Handy for alphabet games, quizzes and Scattergories. The full list, A to Z:
Lablab Beans, Labneh, Lacinato Kale, Lady Apple, Lady Baltimore Cake, Lady Finger Banana, Lady's Finger, Ladyfingers, Lagana, Lager, Lagman, Laguiole, Lahmacun, Lahpet Thoke, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Lakoocha, Lakota Squash, Laksa, Lamb, Lamb Chops, Lamb Shank, Lamb Stew, Lamb's Lettuce, Lambert Cherry, Lambic, Lambsquarters, Lamington, Lancashire, Lancashire Hotpot, Land Cress, Landjäger, Lane Cake, Langouste, Langoustine, Langres, Langsat, Lanterne, Lao Gan Ma, Laobing, Lap Cheong, Lapins Cherry, Lappi, Lapsang Souchong, Lapsi, Larb, Lard, Lard Bread, Lardons, Lardy Cake, Lasagna, Lasagna Soup, Lassi, Last Word, Latke, Latte, Laufabrauð, Laulau, Laurel, Lava Cake, Lavash, Lavender, Laver, Layer Cake, Lebanon Bologna, Leberkäse, Lebkuchen, Lechazo, Leche Flan, Lechon, Leek, Leerdammer, Lefse, Leg of Lamb, Lekvar, Lemon, Lemon Aspen, Lemon Balm, Lemon Bars, Lemon Chicken, Lemon Cucumber, Lemon Curd, Lemon Drizzle Cake, Lemon Drop Martini, Lemon Drops, Lemon Guava, Lemon Ice, Lemon Icebox Pie, Lemon Loaf, Lemon Meringue Pie, Lemon Pepper, Lemon Pepper Wings, Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin, Lemon Posset, Lemon Rice, Lemon Sandwich Cookies, Lemon Sole, Lemon Tart, Lemon Thyme, Lemon Verbena, Lemonade, Lemonade Berry, Lemonade Fruit, Lemongrass, Lentil Soup, Lentils, Lepinja, Lettuce, Lettuce Wraps, Leyden, Liang Pi, Licorice, Licorice Root, Liebfraumilch, Liederkranz, Lighthouse Inn Potatoes, Lillet, Lilly Pilly, Lima Beans, Limburger, Lime, Lime Pickle, Lime Rickey, Limeade, Limeberry, Limequat, Limetta, Limonana, Limoncello, Limpa, Limpets, Lincolnshire Poacher, Lingcod, Lingonberry, Linguine, Linguine with Clams, Linguiça, Linseed, Linzer Cookies, Linzer Torte, Lion's Head Meatballs, Lion's Mane Mushroom, Liptauer, Liqueur, Liquid Smoke, Little Gem Lettuce, Littleneck Clams, Livarot, Liver, Liver and Onions, Liverwurst, Lo Mein, Loaded Baked Potato, Loaded Fries, Lobio, Lobscouse, Lobster, Lobster Bisque, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Lobster Mushroom, Lobster Rangoon, Lobster Roll, Lobster Thermidor, Loco Moco, Locro, Loganberry, Lohikeitto, Loin, Lokum, Lollipop, Lollo Rosso, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Lomo, Lomo Saltado, London Broil, London Fog, Long Beans, Long Island Iced Tea, Long Pepper, Long-Grain Rice, Longan, Longganisa, Loomi, Loquat, Lor, Lorighittas, Loroco, Lotus Biscoff, Lotus Root, Lotus Seeds, Loukoumades, Lovage, Lowbush Blueberry, Lox, Lucuma, Luffa, Lugaw, Lulo, Lumache, Lumpfish Roe, Lumpia, Lupini Beans, Luqaimat, Lutefisk, Lychee, Lychee Martini, Lynchburg Lemonade, Lyonnaise Potatoes, Lyutenitsa, Lángos
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruit starts with L?
Lemons and limes are the best-known fruits that start with L. Others include lychee, longan, loquat, loganberry, lingonberry, langsat, lucuma, lulo and lilly pilly, plus varieties like Lady apples, Lapins cherries and lady finger bananas.
What vegetable starts with L?
Lettuce and leeks are the most common vegetables that start with L. Lentils, lima beans, lotus root, long beans, lacinato kale, lamb's lettuce, Little Gem lettuce, lupini beans and lion's mane mushrooms also begin with L.
What's a dessert that starts with L?
Lemon meringue pie and lemon bars are classic desserts that start with L. Lava cake, lamingtons, Linzer torte, lemon drizzle cake, lemon posset, ladyfingers, lebkuchen, licorice and lollipops are other sweet choices.
What are some unusual foods that start with L?
Unusual foods that start with L include lutefisk, Nordic cod cured in lye; lahpet thoke, a Burmese fermented tea leaf salad; loroco flower buds from El Salvador; lorighittas, a braided Sardinian pasta; and loomi, dried black limes.
What dinner foods start with L?
Lasagna is the top dinner food that starts with L. Lo mein, lamb chops, leg of lamb, lemon chicken, lobster rolls, lentil soup, London broil, lettuce wraps, laksa and loco moco are other easy dinner ideas.
More foods by letter:
