Looking for foods that start with the letter “J”? You’ve come to the right place! Maybe you’re playing a word game, planning a themed dinner, or just curious about how many tasty things begin with this letter. Whatever the reason, this list will satisfy your appetite for trivia and flavor.
From vibrant fruits and earthy vegetables to hearty meats, indulgent sweets, and global specialties, “J” foods are just as joyful and diverse as the letter itself. Some might be familiar (like juicy jackfruit), while others may surprise you (such as jerk chicken and jicama).
Fruits That Start With J
- Jackfruit – A massive tropical fruit with a sweet, banana-pineapple-like flavor.
- Jujube – A small, sweet fruit also called “red date,” often dried and chewy.
- Java Apple (Wax Apple) – A crisp, refreshing tropical fruit, also known as water apple.
- Jambolan (Java Plum) – A purple fruit with a tangy-sweet taste, popular in South Asia.
- Japanese Persimmon (Kaki) – A bright orange fruit with honey-like sweetness.
- Jostaberry – A hybrid of blackcurrant and gooseberry, tart and juicy.
- Jelly Palm Fruit (Pindo Palm) – A South American fruit with pineapple-banana flavor, often made into jelly.
- Junglesop – A rare African fruit with creamy, tangy-sweet pulp.
- Jacote (Spanish Plum) – A Central American fruit with a tart skin and sweet flesh.
- Japanese Plum (Loquat) – Small, tangy-sweet fruit also used for jams and desserts.
Vegetables That Start With J
- Jicama – A crunchy, mildly sweet root vegetable, often eaten raw in salads.
- Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchoke) – A knobby root vegetable with a nutty, artichoke-like flavor.
- Japanese Eggplant – A slender, mild variety of eggplant used in stir-fries and grilling.
- Jute Leaves – Nutritious leafy greens popular in African and Asian cooking.
- Japanese Pumpkin (Kabocha) – A sweet, starchy squash used in soups and roasting.
- Jalapeño – A medium-hot green chili pepper, widely used in Mexican cuisine.
Meats & Seafood
- Jerk Chicken – A Jamaican classic marinated with spicy jerk seasoning.
- Jellied Eels – A traditional English dish of chopped eels set in savory jelly.
- John Dory – A delicate white fish prized for its mild, buttery flavor.
- Japanese Wagyu Beef – Known for its intense marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Jamon Ibérico – A Spanish cured ham with a rich, nutty taste.
- Jägerschnitzel – A German dish: breaded pork or veal cutlet topped with mushroom sauce.
Nuts, Seeds & Legumes
- Jack Bean – A large legume from tropical regions, sometimes used as animal feed.
- Japanese Peanut Crackers – Peanuts coated in a crunchy soy-flavored shell.
- Job’s Tears – A grain-like seed used in porridge, teas, and Asian cooking.
- Jiangmi (Glutinous Rice) – A sticky rice used in dumplings, cakes, and desserts.
Dairy & Cheese
- Jameed – A hard, dried yogurt used to make the Jordanian dish mansaf.
- Jarlsberg Cheese – A Norwegian cheese with mild, nutty flavor and characteristic holes.
- Jibneh Arabieh – A white Middle Eastern cheese with a mild, salty taste.
- Junket – A dessert made with milk, sugar, and rennet, forming a soft custard.
Grains, Pasta & Bread
- Johnnycakes – Cornmeal flatbreads, popular in the Caribbean and the U.S. South.
- Japchae Noodles – Korean sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables.
- Jasmine Rice – A fragrant, long-grain rice from Thailand.
- Jewish Rye Bread – A tangy rye bread often baked with caraway seeds.
- Jordanian Taboon Bread – A traditional flatbread baked in clay ovens.
Desserts & Sweets
- Jelly Beans – Colorful, chewy candies in endless flavors.
- Jam – Fruit preserves spread on bread or used in baking.
- Jelly Roll – A sponge cake rolled with jelly or cream filling.
- Jaffa Cakes – British treats with sponge cake, orange jelly, and chocolate.
- Jalebi – A popular Indian sweet: deep-fried spirals soaked in syrup.
- Japanese Mochi – Chewy rice cakes often filled with sweet bean paste.
- Jolly Ranchers – Hard fruit-flavored candies.
- Juniper Berry Syrup – A fragrant, sweet syrup made from juniper berries.
- Jordan Almonds – Sugar-coated almonds, often served at weddings.
Herbs, Spices & Condiments
- Juniper Berries – Aromatic berries used in gin, sauces, and meat dishes.
- Japanese Seven Spice (Shichimi Togarashi) – A spice blend with chili, sesame, and citrus.
- Jaggery – A natural, unrefined cane sugar common in Indian cuisine.
- Japanese Soy Sauce – A savory condiment essential in many Asian dishes.
- Japanese Wasabi – A pungent green paste served with sushi.
Other Foods & Dishes That Start With J
- Japanese Curry – A thick, mild curry served with rice.
- Japanese Ramen – Noodle soup with savory broth and toppings.
- Jook (Congee) – A comforting rice porridge common in Asia.
- Japanese Tempura – Battered and fried seafood or vegetables.
- Jamaican Patties – Spiced meat pastries wrapped in golden dough.
- Jiaozi (Dumplings) – Chinese dumplings filled with meat or vegetables.
- Jambalaya – A Cajun/Creole rice dish with meat, seafood, and spices.
- Japanese Gyoza – Pan-fried dumplings with savory fillings.
- Jalapeño Poppers – Stuffed jalapeños, often with cheese, then fried or baked.
- Jelly Doughnut – A soft pastry filled with fruit jam or jelly.
From jackfruit to jambalaya, the world of foods starting with “J” is both joyful and jam-packed with flavor. Whether you’re exploring global cuisines, expanding your cooking vocabulary, or just curious, this list proves that “J” definitely brings the joy to the table.
