100 FOODS THAT START WITH THE LETTER J (WITH IMAGES)

Welcome to our flavorful journey through the alphabet! Today, we’re focusing on the letter “J” in our food series, “Foods That Start With the Letter J.” Whether you’re a foodie looking to expand your culinary repertoire or just curious about the variety of foods that start with this joyful letter, you’re in the right place.Get ready to discover new favorites and perhaps find some unexpected culinary inspiration!

1. Jack cheese

2. Jack mackerel

3. Jackfruit

4. Jackfruit curry

5. Jägerschnitzel

6. Jaggery

7. Jalapeño

8. Jalapeño cheese

9. Jalapeño chips

10. Jalapeño hummus

11. Jalapeño jam

12. Jalapeño jelly

13. Jalapeño margarita

14. Jalapeño poppers

15. Jalapeño relish

16. Jalfrezi (curry dish)

17. Jam

18. Jam doughnuts

19. Jam tart

20. Jambalaya

21. Jambon (French for ham)

22. Jambon de Bayonne

23. Jambon persillé (French terrine)

24. Jamon Iberico

25. Jamun (Indian blackberry)

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
1	Jack cheese	Dairy	USA	Sandwiches, cooking	Mild, creamy	No	Also known as Monterey Jack—commonly used in Mexican-American dishes.
2	Jack mackerel	Fish	Pacific Ocean	Canned, grilled	Oily, rich	No	Often found canned, it’s an affordable source of protein and omega-3s.
3	Jackfruit	Fruit	South Asia	Curry, vegan meat	Sweet, fibrous	Yes	Largest tree-borne fruit, used as a meat substitute when unripe.
4	Jackfruit curry	Main dish	India	Vegan curry	Spiced, meaty	Yes	Made with unripe jackfruit—popular in Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine.
5	Jägerschnitzel	Main dish	Germany	Meat entrée	Savory, creamy	No	Pork schnitzel served with a mushroom gravy—“hunter’s schnitzel.”
6	Jaggery	Sweetener	India	Baking, sweets	Molasses-like	Yes	Unrefined cane sugar rich in iron and used in traditional Indian sweets.
7	Jalapeño	Vegetable	Mexico	Spice, garnish	Spicy	Yes	A medium-heat chili pepper popular in salsas and nachos.
8	Jalapeño cheese	Dairy	USA	Melting, sandwiches	Spicy, creamy	No	Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese infused with jalapeño bits.
9	Jalapeño chips	Snack	USA	Snack	Spicy, crunchy	No	Potato or tortilla chips flavored with jalapeño seasoning.
10	Jalapeño hummus	Dip	Middle East/USA	Dip, spread	Spicy, creamy	Yes	A spicy twist on traditional chickpea hummus with jalapeño blend.
11	Jalapeño jam	Spread	USA	Spread, glaze	Sweet & spicy	Yes	A jelly made with jalapeños, often paired with cream cheese.
12	Jalapeño jelly	Jelly	USA	Spread, snack	Sweet-spicy	Yes	Served over crackers or meats—adds zing to bland dishes.
13	Jalapeño margarita	Cocktail	Mexico	Beverage	Spicy, tangy	No	A spicy version of the classic margarita, garnished with jalapeño slices.
14	Jalapeño poppers	Snack	USA	Appetizer	Spicy, cheesy	No	Jalapeños stuffed with cheese and deep-fried or baked.
15	Jalapeño relish	Condiment	USA	Topping	Spicy, tangy	Yes	A chopped relish often used on hot dogs and burgers.
16	Jalfrezi (curry dish)	Main dish	India	Curry	Spicy, tomato-based	Yes	Stir-fried curry with veggies or meat—originated in British India.
17	Jam	Spread	Global	Toast, desserts	Sweet, fruity	Yes	Fruit preserve made by cooking fruit and sugar until thickened.
18	Jam doughnuts	Dessert	Global	Snack	Sweet, fruity	No	Deep-fried dough filled with fruit jam, often dusted with sugar.
19	Jam tart	Dessert	UK	Dessert	Sweet, fruity	No	Shortcrust pastry filled with fruit jam—common in British baking.
20	Jambalaya	Main dish	USA (Louisiana)	Rice dish	Spicy, hearty	No	Creole rice dish with meat, seafood, and vegetables.
21	Jambon (French for ham)	Meat	France	Sandwiches, entrée	Salty	No	Common term for ham in French cuisine—used in many classic recipes.
22	Jambon de Bayonne	Meat	France	Charcuterie	Delicate, salty	No	A cured French ham similar to prosciutto, from Bayonne.
23	Jambon persillé (French terrine)	Appetizer	France	Starter	Savory, herby	No	A parsleyed ham terrine set in gelatin—served cold.
24	Jamon Iberico	Meat	Spain	Charcuterie	Nutty, rich	No	Premium Spanish dry-cured ham from Iberian pigs fed on acorns.
25	Jamun (Indian blackberry)	Fruit	India	Juice, fresh	Sweet, astringent	Yes	A purple fruit known for its blood sugar-regulating benefits.

26. Jan Hagel cookies (Dutch cinnamon almond cookies)

27. Japanese cucumber

28. Japanese eggplant

29. Japanese ginger dressing

30. Japanese omelette

31. Japanese pancake (okonomiyaki)

32. Jasmine flower jelly

33. Jasmine rice

34. Jasmine tea

35. Java apple

36. Java coffee

37. Java nut (coffee bean)

38. Jawar roti (Indian bread made from sorghum)

39. Jawbreaker candy

40. Jeera (cumin)

41. Jellied eels

42. Jelly

43. Jelly beans

44. Jelly doughnuts

45. Jelly roll

46. Jellyfish

47. Jeon (Korean pancake)

48. Jerk chicken

49. Jerk pork

50. Jerky

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
26	Jan Hagel cookies (Dutch cinnamon almond cookies)	Dessert	Netherlands	Snack, dessert	Sweet, nutty	No	Traditional Dutch cookies sprinkled with sugar and almonds.
27	Japanese cucumber	Vegetable	Japan	Salads, pickles	Crisp, mild	Yes	Known for its thin skin and delicate crunch—great for sushi rolls.
28	Japanese eggplant	Vegetable	Japan	Stir-fries, grilling	Mild, tender	Yes	Slender and sweet—absorbs flavors well in Asian cooking.
29	Japanese ginger dressing	Condiment	Japan	Salads	Zesty, tangy	Yes	Often served over green salads in Japanese restaurants.
30	Japanese omelette	Egg dish	Japan	Breakfast, sushi	Sweet-savory	No	Also called tamagoyaki—layered and slightly sweetened.
31	Japanese pancake (okonomiyaki)	Main dish	Japan	Street food	Savory	No	Made with cabbage and topped with sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes.
32	Jasmine flower jelly	Dessert	Asia	Jelly dessert	Floral, light	Yes	Made from jasmine flower extract and agar—often served chilled.
33	Jasmine rice	Grain	Thailand	Main dish, side	Fragrant, soft	Yes	Aromatic rice popular in Southeast Asian cuisine.
34	Jasmine tea	Beverage	China	Tea	Floral, delicate	Yes	Green or white tea infused with jasmine blossoms.
35	Java apple	Fruit	Southeast Asia	Fresh, juices	Juicy, crisp	Yes	Also called rose apple—known for its bell shape and subtle sweetness.
36	Java coffee	Beverage	Indonesia	Drink	Bold, earthy	Yes	“Java” is a famous origin for strong, rich coffee beans.
37	Java nut (coffee bean)	Seed	Indonesia	Beverage	Bitter, robust	Yes	Another term for coffee bean from the Java region.
38	Jawar roti (Indian bread made from sorghum)	Bread	India	Main dish	Earthy	Yes	Gluten-free flatbread made from sorghum flour—popular in rural India.
39	Jawbreaker candy	Candy	USA	Snack	Sweet, hard	Yes	Colorful hard candies that take time to dissolve—layers of fun!
40	Jeera (cumin)	Spice	India	Cooking	Earthy, nutty	Yes	Essential spice in Indian cuisine—adds warmth to curries.
41	Jellied eels	Seafood	UK	Traditional dish	Salty, gelatinous	No	A classic East London delicacy dating back to the 18th century.
42	Jelly	Dessert	Global	Snack, dessert	Sweet	Yes	Fruit-flavored gelatin—often a party favorite for kids.
43	Jelly beans	Candy	USA	Snack	Sweet	Yes	Colorful, chewy candies with a hard shell and fruity flavors.
44	Jelly doughnuts	Dessert	Global	Snack	Sweet, fruity	No	Deep-fried dough filled with jam or jelly—often sugared on top.
45	Jelly roll	Dessert	USA/UK	Dessert	Sweet	No	Rolled sponge cake filled with jelly—also called Swiss roll.
46	Jellyfish	Seafood	Asia	Salads	Crunchy, bland	No	Used in Chinese cuisine—usually marinated or served cold.
47	Jeon (Korean pancake)	Appetizer	Korea	Side dish	Savory	No	Pan-fried Korean pancakes made with meat or veggies in batter.
48	Jerk chicken	Main dish	Jamaica	Grilled entrée	Spicy, smoky	No	Marinated in spices like allspice and Scotch bonnet pepper.
49	Jerk pork	Main dish	Jamaica	Grilled entrée	Spicy, bold	No	Another Caribbean favorite, traditionally cooked over pimento wood.
50	Jerky	Snack	USA	Snack, trail food	Salty, chewy	No	Dried, seasoned meat—popular among hikers and campers.

51. Jerusalem artichoke

52. Jerusalem artichoke chips

53. Jerusalem artichoke soup

54. Jerusalem bagel

55. Jerusalem mixed grill

56. Jewfish

57. Jicama

58. Jicama salad

59. Jicama slaw

60. Jicama sticks

61. Jijona turron (Spanish nougat)

62. Jimmies (sprinkles)

63. Jjajangmyeon

64. Jjigae (Korean stew)

65. Jocoque (Mexican fermented milk)

66. Jocoqui (alternative spelling of jocoque)

67. John Dory (fish)

68. Johnnycake (cornmeal flatbread)

69. Johnnycakes

70. Jojoba (edible in some cultures, though more commonly used in cosmetics)

71. Jollof

72. Jollof rice

73. Jollof spaghetti

74. Jook (rice porridge)

75. Jordan almonds

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
51	Jerusalem artichoke	Tuber	North America	Roasted, soups	Nutty, sweet	Yes	Also called sunchoke—despite the name, it’s not related to artichokes or Jerusalem.
52	Jerusalem artichoke chips	Snack	North America	Snack	Crunchy, sweet	Yes	Thinly sliced and baked or fried—an alternative to potato chips.
53	Jerusalem artichoke soup	Soup	North America	Starter	Earthy, creamy	Yes	A velvety soup often paired with leeks or cream.
54	Jerusalem bagel	Bread	Middle East	Street food	Lightly sweet	Yes	Long oval-shaped bread coated in sesame—different from New York bagels.
55	Jerusalem mixed grill	Main dish	Israel	Grilled meat mix	Spicy, savory	No	A street food classic made with grilled chicken hearts, liver, and onions.
56	Jewfish	Fish	USA	Grilled, fried	Mild, flaky	No	Also known as goliath grouper—found in warm ocean waters.
57	Jicama	Root Vegetable	Mexico	Raw, salads	Crisp, mildly sweet	Yes	A crunchy tuber often eaten raw with chili and lime.
58	Jicama salad	Salad	Mexico	Starter	Fresh, sweet	Yes	Combines jicama with citrus, mint, or chili for a refreshing bite.
59	Jicama slaw	Side dish	Mexico	Side, tacos	Zesty, crunchy	Yes	A healthier take on slaw using shredded jicama and lime dressing.
60	Jicama sticks	Snack	Mexico	Snack	Crunchy, sweet	Yes	Served chilled with chili powder and lime—great for hydration.
61	Jijona turron (Spanish nougat)	Confection	Spain	Dessert	Nutty, sweet	No	Soft nougat made with almonds and honey—popular during Christmas.
62	Jimmies (sprinkles)	Confection	USA	Topping	Sweet	Yes	Colorful sugar strands used to decorate desserts like ice cream.
63	Jjajangmyeon	Noodle dish	Korea	Main dish	Salty, savory	No	Noodles topped with black bean sauce—comfort food in South Korea.
64	Jjigae (Korean stew)	Stew	Korea	Main dish	Spicy, hearty	No	Made with kimchi, tofu, meats, or seafood—served bubbling hot.
65	Jocoque (Mexican fermented milk)	Dairy	Mexico	Dip, spread	Tangy	No	A traditional fermented milk product, similar to yogurt.
66	Jocoqui (alternative spelling of jocoque)	Dairy	Mexico	Dip, condiment	Tangy	No	Variant spelling of the creamy Mexican dairy product.
67	John Dory (fish)	Fish	Europe	Grilled, pan-fried	Delicate, mild	No	Flat-bodied fish prized for its flavor and flaky texture.
68	Johnnycake (cornmeal flatbread)	Bread	Caribbean/USA	Side dish	Buttery, dense	Yes	Made from cornmeal—an early American staple food.
69	Johnnycakes	Bread	USA	Breakfast	Grainy, slightly sweet	Yes	Often pan-fried like pancakes—enjoyed with butter or syrup.
70	Jojoba	Seed	Southwest USA	Rarely culinary	Neutral	Yes	Though mainly used in cosmetics, some cultures use jojoba seeds in food.
71	Jollof	Dish	West Africa	Main dish	Spicy, savory	No	A one-pot rice dish with tomato base, popular across Africa.
72	Jollof rice	Rice dish	West Africa	Main dish	Spicy, tomato-rich	Yes	Often a source of national pride—Nigerian vs. Ghanaian debates abound!
73	Jollof spaghetti	Pasta dish	West Africa	Main course	Spicy, tangy	No	Same flavors as Jollof rice but with pasta—loved by kids and adults alike.
74	Jook (rice porridge)	Porride	China	Breakfast	Savory	Yes	Chinese comfort food often flavored with scallions, ginger, or chicken.
75	Jordan almonds	Confection	Mediterranean	Wedding favor	Sweet, crunchy	No	Almonds with a hard sugar coating—symbolize wishes for the couple.

76. Jordan bread (traditional flatbread)

77. Jordanian olives

78. Joshinko (rice flour)

79. Joumou (Haitian pumpkin soup)

80. Joumou soup (traditional Haitian soup)

81. Jowar (sorghum)

82. Jubilee chicken

83. Juice

84. Juju fruit

85. Jujube

86. Jujube tea

87. Julienne vegetables

88. Julmust (Swedish soft drink)

89. Jumbo shrimp

90. Jumping salad (Filipino dish with live shrimp)

91. Jungle curry

92. Juniper

93. Juniper berries

94. Juniper tea

95. Junket (milk dessert)

96. Jurel (type of fish)

97. Jurisdiction beans

98. Jus (French for juice or gravy)

99. Just ripe bananas

100. Jute leaves

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
76	Jordan bread (traditional flatbread)	Bread	Jordan	Main or side dish	Soft, slightly chewy	Yes	Traditional flatbread used in Middle Eastern meals and served with dips or stews.
77	Jordanian olives	Fruit (olive)	Jordan	Snacks, salads	Salty, tangy	Yes	Often cured with herbs and lemon—famous in Levantine cuisine.
78	Joshinko (rice flour)	Flour	Japan	Baking, sweets	Neutral	Yes	Gluten-free rice flour used in Japanese confections like mochi.
79	Joumou (Haitian pumpkin soup)	Soup	Haiti	Celebration dish	Spiced, hearty	No	Served on Haitian Independence Day to symbolize freedom.
80	Joumou soup (traditional Haitian soup)	Soup	Haiti	Main course	Earthy, savory	No	Features squash, beef, pasta, and vegetables in a flavorful broth.
81	Jowar (sorghum)	Grain	India, Africa	Bread, porridge	Nutty	Yes	A gluten-free grain widely used in Indian rotis and African stews.
82	Jubilee chicken	Main dish	UK	Cold salad	Fruity, creamy	No	Created for royal events—features chicken, curry, and fruit in a mayo-based sauce.
83	Juice	Beverage	Global	Drink	Sweet, tart, or citrusy	Yes	Extracted from fruits or vegetables—served fresh or processed.
84	Juju fruit	Candy	USA	Snack	Chewy, fruity	Yes	Gummy candies sold in theater-style boxes—non-melting.
85	Jujube	Fruit	Asia	Fresh, dried	Sweet, date-like	Yes	Used in teas and desserts—also known as red or Chinese date.
86	Jujube tea	Tea	Korea	Drink	Sweet, soothing	Yes	Made from dried jujubes—known for calming and immune benefits.
87	Julienne vegetables	Vegetables	Global	Garnish, stir-fry	Varies	Yes	Thinly sliced vegetables used in salads and gourmet presentation.
88	Julmust (Swedish soft drink)	Beverage	Sweden	Holiday drink	Malty, sweet	Yes	A carbonated malt beverage enjoyed during Christmas and Easter.
89	Jumbo shrimp	Seafood	Global	Grilled, sautéed	Sweet, firm	No	Larger variety of shrimp—often used in luxury seafood dishes.
90	Jumping salad (Filipino dish with live shrimp)	Seafood	Philippines	Starter	Fresh, briny	No	Served with vinegar and onions—the shrimp are alive when served.
91	Jungle curry	Curry	Thailand	Main dish	Spicy, herbal	No	Hot Thai curry made without coconut milk—uses wild herbs and vegetables.
92	Juniper	Spice	Europe	Flavoring	Piney, sharp	Yes	Juniper branches are used to smoke meat or flavor alcohol like gin.
93	Juniper berries	Spice	Europe	Seasoning	Resinous, piney	Yes	Key ingredient in gin and Nordic meat marinades.
94	Juniper tea	Tea	Europe	Herbal tea	Woody, aromatic	Yes	Made from dried juniper berries—used traditionally for digestion and detox.
95	Junket (milk dessert)	Dessert	UK/USA	Dessert	Mildly sweet	No	An old-fashioned custard-like dessert made with rennet and milk.
96	Jurel (type of fish)	Fish	Latin America	Fried, grilled	Strong, meaty	No	Common in Latin American and Caribbean coastal cooking.
97	Jurisdiction beans	Legume	Unclear	Boiled, stews	Unknown	Yes	Name is rare—likely a misnomer or local variety with limited documentation.
98	Jus (French for juice or gravy)	Sauce	France	Meat sauce	Savory	No	A light gravy made from meat juices, often served with roasts.
99	Just ripe bananas	Fruit	Tropics	Snack, baking	Sweet	Yes	Perfect balance between starchiness and sweetness—ideal for eating fresh or cooking.
100	Jute leaves	Leafy green	Africa, Asia	Soups, stews	Earthy, slightly bitter	Yes	Known as ewedu in Nigeria—mucilaginous when cooked, similar to okra.