✔ Updated · 142 foods, sorted by category
Can you name ten foods that start with N? Nachos, noodles, nectarines, naan, nuggets and nougat are easy, but the letter N goes much further.
This list rounds up 142 real foods that start with N, sorted into ten categories: fruits and nuts, vegetables, dishes, desserts, breads and grains, drinks, cheeses, meat and seafood, spices and sauces, and international foods from Japan, India and beyond. A quick A-to-Z list at the end is handy for alphabet games and quizzes.
Foods that start with N, from everyday favorites to rare finds. The most popular:
Fruits & Nuts That Start With N
Stone fruits, citrus, tropical fruits and nuts that start with N.
Nectarine
A smooth-skinned variety of peach with juicy, sweet-tart flesh, eaten fresh, grilled or baked into cobblers and galettes.
Navel Orange
A sweet, seedless orange named for the belly button-like second fruit at its blossom end, easy to peel and segment.
Nashi Pear
Also called Asian pear or apple pear, a round, crisp and very juicy pear that crunches like an apple.
Naartjie
The South African name for a tangerine or mandarin, a small, sweet, easy-peel citrus eaten as a lunchbox snack.
Natal Plum
The bright red fruit of the South African Carissa shrub, with tart, cranberry-like flesh used in jams and jellies.
Nance
A small, yellow cherry-like fruit from Central America with a strong, cheesy-sweet aroma, eaten fresh or in syrup.
Naranjilla
Also called lulo, a fuzzy orange fruit from the Andes whose tangy green pulp is blended into a popular juice.
Naseberry
The Caribbean name for sapodilla, a brown, rough-skinned fruit with soft, grainy flesh that tastes like brown sugar and pear.
Noni
A lumpy, pale green Pacific fruit with a strong, pungent smell, mostly sold as a juice in Hawaii and Polynesia.
Nanking Cherry
A small, bright red bush cherry from China, sweet-tart and juicy, made into jams, pies and syrups.
Nagami Kumquat
The most common kumquat, an oval, olive-sized citrus eaten whole, with a sweet peel and very sour flesh.
Nam Dok Mai Mango
A long, slender Thai mango with fiberless, honey-sweet golden flesh, the classic mango for mango sticky rice.
Northern Spy Apple
An heirloom American apple from New York, tart, crisp and juicy, known as one of the best apples for pies.
Newtown Pippin Apple
A green colonial-era apple from Queens, New York, tart and aromatic, grown by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Niagara Grape
A green-gold American grape with a sweet, musky, foxy flavor, used for white grape juice and sweet wines.
Nannyberry
A dark blue-black wild fruit from a North American viburnum shrub, sweet like a raisin when fully ripe.
Nipa Palm Fruit
The translucent, jelly-like seeds of the nipa palm, called attap chee, served in Southeast Asian desserts and shaved ice.
Nungu
Also called ice apple, the soft, translucent, jelly-like flesh of young palmyra palm fruit, eaten in summer in South India.
Nere
The African locust bean, whose sweet yellow pod pulp is eaten as a snack and whose seeds are fermented into soumbala.
Nutmeg Melon
An old American muskmelon variety with heavily netted skin and sweet, aromatic green or orange flesh.
Ngali Nut
Also called canarium nut, a rich, buttery tree nut from the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, eaten raw or roasted.
Vegetables & Legumes That Start With N
Greens, roots, beans, seaweed and mushrooms that begin with N.
Napa Cabbage
A mild, crunchy Chinese cabbage with pale, crinkled leaves, the main ingredient in kimchi and great in stir-fries.
Navy Beans
Small, white, mild beans that cook up creamy, used in Boston baked beans and navy bean soup.
Neeps
The Scottish word for turnips or swedes, mashed with butter and served with haggis and tatties on Burns Night.
Nettles
Stinging nettles lose their sting when cooked, turning into a deep green, spinach-like vegetable for soups and pesto.
Nopales
The flat pads of the prickly pear cactus, cleaned of spines and grilled or diced into Mexican salads and eggs.
Nori
Dried sheets of pressed red seaweed with a savory, toasty flavor, used to wrap sushi rolls and onigiri.
New Potatoes
Young potatoes harvested early, with thin, delicate skins and waxy flesh, best boiled whole with butter and herbs.
New Zealand Spinach
A heat-tolerant leafy green with thick, triangular leaves, cooked like spinach and grown where true spinach bolts.
Nameko Mushroom
A small, amber Japanese mushroom with a slippery, gelatinous coating, a favorite in miso soup and noodle dishes.
Nasturtium
A garden plant whose bright edible flowers and round leaves have a peppery, watercress-like bite for salads.
Negi
A long Japanese green onion, similar to a leek, sliced into miso soup, grilled on yakitori skewers or added to hot pots.
Nira
The Japanese name for garlic chives, flat green leaves with a mild garlic flavor, used in gyoza and stir-fries.
Nagaimo
A long Japanese mountain yam eaten raw and grated into a slimy, mild topping or cooked into okonomiyaki batter.
Nantes Carrot
A popular French carrot variety, cylindrical with a blunt tip, known for its very sweet, crisp, juicy roots.
New Mexico Chile
A long green or red chile pepper grown in New Mexico, roasted for green chile stew or dried for red chile sauce.
Dishes & Meals That Start With N
Snacks, soups, salads and dinners that start with N. Nachos are my game-night go-to.
Nachos
Tortilla chips piled with melted cheese and jalapeños, often loaded with beans, meat, sour cream and guacamole.
Get the recipe →Nacho Fries
Crispy seasoned french fries served with warm nacho cheese sauce for dipping, a fast-food favorite.
Get the recipe →Nuggets
Bite-sized pieces of chicken that are breaded or battered and fried or baked, a favorite with dipping sauces.
Get the recipe →Nashville Hot Chicken
Fried chicken brushed with a fiery cayenne paste, served on white bread with pickles, a Nashville, Tennessee specialty.
Get the recipe →New England Clam Chowder
A thick, creamy soup of clams, potatoes, onions and salt pork or bacon, served with oyster crackers.
New England Boiled Dinner
A one-pot meal of corned beef or ham simmered with cabbage, potatoes, carrots and turnips.
New York-Style Pizza
Large, thin, foldable slices with a crisp yet chewy crust, tomato sauce and mozzarella, sold by the slice.
Neapolitan Pizza
The original pizza from Naples, with a soft, blistered crust baked in a very hot wood-fired oven for about 90 seconds.
New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp
Head-on shrimp baked in a peppery sauce of butter, Worcestershire and Creole spices, not barbecued at all.
Niçoise Salad
A French salad from Nice of tuna, hard-boiled eggs, olives, tomatoes, green beans and potatoes with vinaigrette.
Navy Bean Soup
A hearty soup of navy beans simmered with ham, onion and carrots, served daily in the US Senate dining room.
Nut Roast
A baked loaf of chopped nuts, breadcrumbs, vegetables and herbs, a popular vegetarian main for Christmas dinner in Britain.
Neck Bones
Pork or beef neck bones slow-simmered or smothered in gravy until tender, a Southern soul food classic.
Noodle Kugel
A Jewish baked egg noodle casserole, sweet with cottage cheese, sour cream and raisins or savory with onions.
Desserts & Sweets That Start With N
Candy, bars, cakes and cookies that start with N. I make homemade nougat every December.
Nougat
A chewy or firm confection of whipped egg whites, honey or sugar and roasted nuts, used in many candy bars.
Nougatine
A crunchy French candy of caramelized sugar and chopped or sliced almonds, rolled thin and shaped into decorations.
Nutella
A sweet hazelnut and cocoa spread from Italy, first sold in 1964, spread on toast, crêpes and pancakes.
Nutella Brownies
Fudgy brownies made with Nutella hazelnut spread, often with just three ingredients: Nutella, eggs and flour.
Get the recipe →Neapolitan Ice Cream
A block of three side-by-side ice cream flavors, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, named after Naples, Italy.
New York Cheesecake
A dense, rich and tall cheesecake made with cream cheese, eggs and sour cream on a graham cracker crust.
Nanaimo Bars
A Canadian no-bake bar with a chocolate, coconut and graham crumb base, custard-flavored filling and chocolate top.
Napoleon
The American name for mille-feuille, layers of flaky puff pastry and vanilla cream with white and chocolate icing.
Nesselrode Pie
A New York pie of chestnut cream and candied fruit, based on a 19th-century pudding named after Count Nesselrode.
Nonpareils
Tiny round sprinkles of sugar and starch, or chocolate discs covered in them, used to decorate cookies and cakes.
No-Bake Cookies
Drop cookies of oats, cocoa, peanut butter, sugar and milk boiled together and left to set, no oven needed.
Nilla Wafers
Small, crisp vanilla cookies from Nabisco, renamed Nilla in 1967, layered with bananas and pudding in classic banana pudding.
Get the recipe →Nankhatai
Crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth Indian shortbread cookies made with ghee, flour, sugar and cardamom, topped with pistachios.
Norwegian Apple Cake
A simple, moist cake topped with sliced apples, cinnamon sugar and almonds, a cozy autumn bake from Norway.
Navettes
Boat-shaped, orange blossom-scented biscuits from Marseille, France, traditionally eaten at Candlemas in February.
Natillas
A creamy Spanish and Latin American custard of milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon, often topped with a cookie.
Nata de Coco
Chewy, translucent cubes of jelly made by fermenting coconut water, a Filipino favorite in drinks and fruit salads.
Nian Gao
A sticky, sweet Chinese New Year cake made from glutinous rice flour and brown sugar, sliced and pan-fried.
Nonnettes
Small, soft French honey spice cakes from Dijon filled with orange marmalade and covered in a thin glaze.
Nerds
Tiny, crunchy, tangy sugar candies sold in colorful boxes since 1983, later also as gummy-centered clusters.
Breads, Grains & Pantry That Start With N
Flatbreads, noodles and pantry staples that begin with N. Warm naan is my favorite way to mop up curry.
Naan
A soft, leavened flatbread baked against the wall of a tandoor clay oven, often brushed with butter or garlic.
Get the recipe →Navajo Fry Bread
A Native American flatbread of simple dough fried until puffy and golden, served with honey or as Navajo tacos.
Nan-e Barbari
A long, oval Persian flatbread with a golden, ridged, sesame-topped crust, eaten for breakfast with feta and herbs.
Nan-e Sangak
A whole wheat Iranian flatbread baked on a bed of hot pebbles, which gives it a dimpled, chewy texture.
Noodles
Long strands of unleavened dough from wheat, rice or buckwheat, boiled for soups, stir-fries and cold salads worldwide.
Nokedli
Small Hungarian egg dumplings, similar to spaetzle, served with chicken paprikash and goulash.
Nixtamal
Dried corn cooked and soaked in an alkaline lime solution, then ground into masa for tortillas and tamales.
Nut Bread
A quick bread studded with chopped walnuts or pecans, like date nut bread, sliced and spread with cream cheese.
Nut Butter
A spread made by grinding roasted nuts into a paste, such as almond, cashew and peanut butter.
Drinks That Start With N
Cocktails, wines, teas and coffee drinks that start with N.
Nectar
A thick fruit drink made from puréed fruit, water and sugar, popular in peach, mango, apricot and guava flavors.
Negroni
A classic Italian cocktail of equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, stirred and garnished with orange peel.
Negus
A warm drink of port or sherry with hot water, lemon, sugar and nutmeg, named after 18th-century Colonel Francis Negus.
Nebbiolo
A red wine grape from Piedmont, Italy, making the powerful, long-lived Barolo and Barbaresco wines.
Nero d'Avola
Sicily's most important red wine grape, making rich, fruity wines with black cherry and plum flavors.
Nocino
A dark, bittersweet Italian liqueur made from unripe green walnuts steeped in alcohol with spices.
Navy Grog
A classic tiki cocktail of three rums, lime and grapefruit juice and honey syrup, served over a cone of ice.
New York Sour
A whiskey sour topped with a float of red wine, creating a striking two-layered cocktail.
Nitro Cold Brew
Cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen and served on tap for a creamy texture and a foamy, stout-like head.
New England IPA
A hazy, juicy style of India pale ale with soft bitterness and tropical fruit flavors from heavy late hopping.
Nimbu Pani
Indian lemonade of fresh lime juice, water, sugar and a pinch of salt and roasted cumin, served ice-cold in summer.
Nigori Sake
Cloudy, unfiltered Japanese rice wine with bits of rice sediment, sweet and creamy, shaken before serving.
Nuoc Mia
Fresh Vietnamese sugarcane juice pressed to order, often with a squeeze of kumquat, sold by street vendors.
Cheeses & Dairy That Start With N
Soft, blue and spiced cheeses that start with N.
Neufchâtel
A soft, slightly crumbly French cheese from Normandy, often heart-shaped; the American version is a lower-fat cream cheese.
Norbury Blue
A soft, creamy English blue cheese made in Surrey from cow's milk, with a mild, buttery flavor.
Nøkkelost
A semi-firm Norwegian cheese spiced with cloves and cumin, named for the crossed keys of the city of Leiden.
Nagelkaas
A firm Frisian Dutch cheese flavored with cloves and cumin, whose name means nail cheese after the clove shape.
Nabulsi
A white, brined Palestinian cheese from Nablus, boiled with spices and used in the famous dessert knafeh.
Nisa
A semi-hard Portuguese sheep's milk cheese from the Alentejo, curdled with thistle for a tangy, earthy flavor.
Niolo
A strong, square Corsican cheese of sheep or goat milk with a washed rind and a pungent, salty flavor.
Meat & Seafood That Start With N
Steaks, sausages, fish and shellfish that start with N.
New York Strip
A well-marbled steak cut from the short loin with a beefy flavor and firm texture, perfect for grilling.
Nduja
A soft, spicy, spreadable pork salami from Calabria, Italy, colored red with hot chilies, melted into pasta or spread on toast.
Nürnberger Bratwurst
Small, thin German pork sausages from Nuremberg seasoned with marjoram, grilled and served three in a roll.
Naem
A sour, fermented Thai pork sausage with garlic, chili and sticky rice, eaten raw or grilled with fresh vegetables.
Noisettes
Small, round, boneless medallions cut from the loin of lamb, quick to pan-fry and served pink.
Nassau Grouper
A Caribbean grouper with firm, mild white flesh, now protected in many areas due to overfishing.
Northern Pike
A long, toothy freshwater fish with lean, white flesh, popular in Canada and Europe, often made into fish cakes or quenelles.
Nile Perch
A huge African freshwater fish from Lake Victoria with mild, firm white fillets, widely exported.
Nantucket Bay Scallops
Small, very sweet scallops harvested in winter from the waters around Nantucket, Massachusetts, a costly delicacy.
Spices, Sauces & Condiments That Start With N
Seasonings and sauces beginning with N.
Nutmeg
The warm, sweet seed of a tropical evergreen tree, grated into eggnog, pumpkin pie, béchamel and spiced baked goods.
Nigella Seeds
Small, black, slightly bitter seeds with an onion-like flavor, sprinkled on naan, bagels and Middle Eastern cheese.
Nanami Togarashi
A Japanese seven-spice blend of chili, orange peel, sesame and seaweed, sprinkled on noodles and grilled meats.
Nutritional Yeast
Deactivated yeast flakes with a cheesy, nutty flavor, popular in vegan cooking and sprinkled on popcorn.
Nam Pla
Thai fish sauce, a salty amber liquid of fermented anchovies that adds savory depth to curries, soups and dressings.
Nuoc Cham
A Vietnamese dipping sauce of fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic and chili, served with spring rolls and noodles.
Nam Prik
A family of spicy Thai chili pastes and dips, pounded from chilies, garlic and shrimp paste and served with vegetables.
Newburg Sauce
A rich sauce of butter, cream, egg yolks and sherry, created in New York for the classic dish lobster Newburg.
Nantua Sauce
A classic French béchamel sauce enriched with crayfish butter and cream, served with pike quenelles in Lyon.
Niter Kibbeh
Ethiopian clarified butter slowly infused with spices like fenugreek, cardamom and garlic, the base of many stews.
Nama Shoyu
Raw, unpasteurized Japanese soy sauce with a fresher, more complex flavor, used for dipping and dressings.
International Foods That Start With N
Global dishes that start with N, from Indonesia to Ghana.
Nasi Goreng
Indonesian fried rice seasoned with sweet soy sauce, shrimp paste and chili, topped with a fried egg and crackers.
Nasi Lemak
Malaysia's national dish of coconut rice served with spicy sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber and a boiled egg.
Nasi Campur
An Indonesian plate of rice surrounded by small portions of meat, vegetables, egg, peanuts and sambal.
Nasi Uduk
Jakarta-style rice cooked in coconut milk with lemongrass and bay leaves, served with fried chicken and tempeh.
Natto
Japanese fermented soybeans with a strong smell and sticky, stringy texture, eaten over rice for breakfast.
Nikujaga
A Japanese home-style stew of thinly sliced beef, potatoes and onions simmered in sweetened soy sauce.
Nabe
A Japanese hot pot of vegetables, tofu and meat or seafood simmered at the table in a shared pot.
Nikuman
Fluffy Japanese steamed buns filled with seasoned ground pork, sold hot in convenience stores in winter.
Nanbanzuke
A Japanese dish of fried fish marinated in a sweet and sour vinegar sauce with sliced onions and chili.
Nigiri
Hand-pressed mounds of vinegared rice topped with a slice of raw fish or seafood, a classic form of sushi.
Naengmyeon
Korean cold buckwheat noodles served in an icy, tangy beef broth with cucumber, pear and a boiled egg.
Namul
Korean seasoned vegetable side dishes, such as spinach or bean sprouts dressed with sesame oil, garlic and salt.
Nakji Bokkeum
A fiery Korean stir-fry of small octopus with vegetables in a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce.
Nem Ran
Northern Vietnamese fried spring rolls filled with pork, glass noodles, mushrooms and vegetables, dipped in nuoc cham.
Nam Khao
A Lao crispy rice salad of fried curried rice balls crumbled with sour pork sausage, herbs, peanuts and lime.
Nilaga
A clear Filipino soup of boiled beef or pork with potatoes, cabbage, corn and peppercorns, a comforting family meal.
Nihari
A slow-cooked Mughlai stew of beef or lamb shank in a rich, spiced gravy, eaten for breakfast in Pakistan and India.
Navratan Korma
A mild, creamy Indian curry of nine vegetables, fruits and nuts, whose name means nine gems.
Nargisi Kofta
A Mughlai dish of hard-boiled eggs wrapped in spiced minced meat, fried and simmered in a rich curry sauce.
Ndolé
Cameroon's national dish, a stew of bitter leaves cooked with peanuts, beef or shrimp and served with plantains.
Nshima
A stiff white maize porridge, the staple food of Zambia and Malawi, eaten by hand with stews and greens.
Nkatenkwan
Ghanaian groundnut soup of peanut butter, tomatoes and chicken or goat, served with fufu or rice balls.
Nockerl
Salzburger nockerl, an Austrian dessert of sweet, golden soufflé peaks shaped like the snowy mountains around Salzburg.
Did You Know?
- Every navel orange descends from a single mutated tree found at a monastery in Bahia, Brazil, in the early 1800s; because they are seedless, new trees are grown from cuttings.
- Nachos were invented around 1943 by Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya, a restaurant maitre d' in Piedras Negras, Mexico, who improvised the snack for a group of American visitors.
- Nutmeg and mace come from the same fruit: nutmeg is the seed, and mace is the lacy red covering wrapped around it.
- Nanaimo bars, the no-bake layered squares of crumb base, custard icing and chocolate, are named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, Canada.
Quick List: All 142 Foods That Start With N
Handy for alphabet games, quizzes and Scattergories. The full list, A to Z:
Naan, Naartjie, Nabe, Nabulsi, Nacho Fries, Nachos, Naem, Naengmyeon, Nagaimo, Nagami Kumquat, Nagelkaas, Nakji Bokkeum, Nam Dok Mai Mango, Nam Khao, Nam Pla, Nam Prik, Nama Shoyu, Nameko Mushroom, Namul, Nan-e Barbari, Nan-e Sangak, Nanaimo Bars, Nanami Togarashi, Nanbanzuke, Nance, Nankhatai, Nanking Cherry, Nannyberry, Nantes Carrot, Nantua Sauce, Nantucket Bay Scallops, Napa Cabbage, Napoleon, Naranjilla, Nargisi Kofta, Naseberry, Nashi Pear, Nashville Hot Chicken, Nasi Campur, Nasi Goreng, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Uduk, Nassau Grouper, Nasturtium, Nata de Coco, Natal Plum, Natillas, Natto, Navajo Fry Bread, Navel Orange, Navettes, Navratan Korma, Navy Bean Soup, Navy Beans, Navy Grog, Ndolé, Nduja, Neapolitan Ice Cream, Neapolitan Pizza, Nebbiolo, Neck Bones, Nectar, Nectarine, Neeps, Negi, Negroni, Negus, Nem Ran, Nerds, Nere, Nero d'Avola, Nesselrode Pie, Nettles, Neufchâtel, New England Boiled Dinner, New England Clam Chowder, New England IPA, New Mexico Chile, New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp, New Potatoes, New York Cheesecake, New York Sour, New York Strip, New York-Style Pizza, New Zealand Spinach, Newburg Sauce, Newtown Pippin Apple, Ngali Nut, Niagara Grape, Nian Gao, Nigella Seeds, Nigiri, Nigori Sake, Nihari, Nikujaga, Nikuman, Nilaga, Nile Perch, Nilla Wafers, Nimbu Pani, Niolo, Nipa Palm Fruit, Nira, Nisa, Niter Kibbeh, Nitro Cold Brew, Nixtamal, Niçoise Salad, Nkatenkwan, No-Bake Cookies, Nocino, Nockerl, Noisettes, Nokedli, Noni, Nonnettes, Nonpareils, Noodle Kugel, Noodles, Nopales, Norbury Blue, Nori, Northern Pike, Northern Spy Apple, Norwegian Apple Cake, Nougat, Nougatine, Nshima, Nuggets, Nungu, Nuoc Cham, Nuoc Mia, Nut Bread, Nut Butter, Nut Roast, Nutella, Nutella Brownies, Nutmeg, Nutmeg Melon, Nutritional Yeast, Nøkkelost, Nürnberger Bratwurst
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruit starts with N?
Nectarines are the best-known fruit that starts with N. Navel oranges, nashi pears, naartjies, natal plums, nance, naranjilla, naseberry, noni, Nanking cherries and Nagami kumquats also start with N, along with Northern Spy apples.
What vegetable starts with N?
Napa cabbage and navy beans are common vegetables that start with N. Nettles, nopales, nori, new potatoes, neeps, New Zealand spinach, nameko mushrooms, negi onions and New Mexico chiles also begin with N.
What's a dessert that starts with N?
Nougat and Neapolitan ice cream are classic desserts that start with N. Nanaimo bars, New York cheesecake, Napoleons, no-bake cookies, Nutella brownies, nankhatai and Norwegian apple cake are other sweet ideas.
What dinner foods start with N?
Nachos are the top easy dinner that starts with N. Noodles, Nashville hot chicken, New England clam chowder, Neapolitan pizza, Niçoise salad, nasi goreng, nikujaga and a grilled New York strip steak are other good choices.
What are some unusual foods that start with N?
Unusual foods that start with N include natto, sticky fermented soybeans; nungu, the jelly-like ice apple; nduja, a spreadable chili salami; nøkkelost, a clove-spiced cheese; and nshima, the maize staple of Zambia.
More foods by letter:
