Embark on a delightful journey of culinary exploration with our comprehensive list of “100 Foods that Start with the Letter L.” From luscious fruits like lychees and lemons to savory dishes like lasagna and laksa, the letter L offers a diverse array of flavors that will excite your taste buds.
1. Labneh

2. Lachha paratha

3. Lady apple

4. Ladyfingers

5. Lahmacun

6. Laksa

7. Lamb

8. Lamb chops

9. Lambrusco (wine)

10. Lamprey

11. Lancashire hotpot
12. Lard
13. Lardons

14. Lasagna

15. Lasagne al forno

16. Lassi

17. Latte

18. Lattice pie

19. Lavash

20. Lavender

21. Layer cake

22. Lebkuchen

23. Lecithin

24. Leek

25. Lemon

No | Name | Type | Origin | Use | Taste | Vegan | Fun Fact |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Labneh | Dairy Spread | Middle East | Dip, spread | Tangy, creamy | No | Strained yogurt cheese that’s thicker than yogurt and often drizzled with olive oil. |
2 | Lachha paratha | Flatbread | India | Side, main | Buttery, layered | No | Multi-layered flaky flatbread made from whole wheat flour and ghee or oil. |
3 | Lady apple | Fruit | France | Fresh, decorative | Tart-sweet | Yes | Small heirloom apple with crisp texture, often used for garnishing and cider. |
4 | Ladyfingers | Cookie | Italy | Desserts like tiramisu | Sweet, dry | No | Light sponge biscuits used in layered desserts like tiramisu and trifles. |
5 | Lahmacun | Flatbread | Turkey | Main dish | Spiced, savory | No | Turkish pizza topped with minced meat, vegetables, and herbs. |
6 | Laksa | Noodle Soup | Malaysia | Main dish | Spicy, creamy | No | A spicy noodle soup made with coconut milk and seafood or chicken. |
7 | Lamb | Meat | Worldwide | Main dishes | Rich, savory | No | Meat from a young sheep, used in roasts, curries, and stews. |
8 | Lamb chops | Meat | Global | Grilled, roasted | Juicy, tender | No | Cutlets from the rib or loin of a lamb, often grilled or pan-seared. |
9 | Lambrusco (wine) | Beverage | Italy | Drink | Fruity, fizzy | No | Italian red wine that is light, sparkling, and sometimes sweet. |
10 | Lamprey | Fish | Europe | Stews, pies | Rich, oily | No | An ancient jawless fish traditionally used in medieval-style pies. |
11 | Lancashire hotpot | Casserole | UK | Main dish | Hearty, savory | No | Traditional British stew made with lamb and layered potatoes. |
12 | Lard | Animal Fat | Global | Baking, frying | Neutral | No | Rendered pig fat used for frying or in pastries for flakiness. |
13 | Lardons | Pork | France | Salads, quiche | Salty, savory | No | Small strips or cubes of pork fat or bacon, often crisped for toppings. |
14 | Lasagna | Pasta Dish | Italy | Main dish | Cheesy, saucy | No | Layered pasta baked with sauce, cheese, and often meat or vegetables. |
15 | Lasagne al forno | Baked Pasta | Italy | Main dish | Rich, layered | No | Baked version of lasagna with béchamel and meat sauce. |
16 | Lassi | Beverage | India | Drink | Sweet or salty | Yes | A yogurt-based drink, often flavored with mango, rose, or spices. |
17 | Latte | Coffee Beverage | Italy | Drink | Creamy, mild | No | Espresso with steamed milk and a layer of foam—popular café drink. |
18 | Lattice pie | Dessert | USA | Sweet pie | Fruity, baked | No | Pie with crisscrossed dough strips on top, often filled with berries or apples. |
19 | Lavash | Flatbread | Armenia | Wraps, sandwiches | Mild, soft | Yes | Soft, thin flatbread popular in Middle Eastern and Caucasian cuisines. |
20 | Lavender | Herb | Mediterranean | Teas, desserts | Floral, earthy | Yes | Edible flowers used in baking, teas, and infused syrups. |
21 | Layer cake | Dessert | Global | Celebrations | Sweet, creamy | No | Cake with stacked layers and frosting or filling between each tier. |
22 | Lebkuchen | Cookie | Germany | Holiday dessert | Spiced, sweet | No | German gingerbread cookies, often glazed or covered in chocolate. |
23 | Lecithin | Additive | USA | Emulsifier | Neutral | Yes | A natural emulsifier found in soy or egg yolks, used in baking and chocolates. |
24 | Leek | Vegetable | Europe | Soups, sautés | Mild onion | Yes | Long, green allium vegetable with a delicate onion-like flavor. |
25 | Lemon | Fruit | India | Juice, zest | Tart, citrusy | Yes | A bright yellow citrus fruit used in drinks, desserts, and savory dishes. |
26. Lemon bar

27. Lemon basil

28. Lemon chicken

29. Lemon curd

30. Lemon grass tea

31. Lemon meringue pie

32. Lemon pepper

33. Lemon tart

34. Lemon thyme

35. Lemon verbena

36. Lemon vinaigrette

37. Lemon zest
38. Lemonade

39. Lemongrass

40. Lemony snicket (a playfully named dessert)

41. Lengua (beef tongue)

42. Lentil dal

43. Lentil salad

44. Lentil soup

45. Lentils

46. Leprechaun pie

47. Lettuce

48. Lettuce wraps

49. Licorice

50. Licorice root

No | Name | Type | Origin | Use | Taste | Vegan | Fun Fact |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
26 | Lemon bar | Dessert | USA | Sweet treat | Tart, sweet | No | Shortbread crust topped with tangy lemon curd, a classic American dessert. |
27 | Lemon basil | Herb | Asia | Flavoring | Citrusy, fresh | Yes | A variety of basil with a strong lemon fragrance, used in teas and salads. |
28 | Lemon chicken | Main Dish | China/Italy | Entrée | Tangy, savory | No | Chicken cooked in lemon-based sauce, common in both Chinese and Italian cuisine. |
29 | Lemon curd | Spread/Dessert | UK | Tart filling | Sweet, tangy | No | A rich, creamy lemon spread made with eggs, butter, and lemon juice. |
30 | Lemon grass tea | Beverage | Southeast Asia | Drink | Citrusy, soothing | Yes | Herbal tea made from lemongrass leaves, known for calming effects. |
31 | Lemon meringue pie | Dessert | USA | Pie | Tart, fluffy | No | Sweet pie with lemon filling and fluffy meringue topping, baked to golden brown. |
32 | Lemon pepper | Seasoning | USA | Rub, marinade | Zesty, sharp | Yes | A seasoning blend made of dried lemon zest and cracked black pepper. |
33 | Lemon tart | Dessert | France | Sweet pastry | Tangy, buttery | No | French pastry with a lemon custard filling in a flaky crust. |
34 | Lemon thyme | Herb | Mediterranean | Flavoring | Citrusy, earthy | Yes | Variety of thyme with lemon aroma, ideal for meats and teas. |
35 | Lemon verbena | Herb | South America | Tea, seasoning | Strong lemon scent | Yes | A fragrant herb used in herbal teas and desserts for a lemony flavor. |
36 | Lemon vinaigrette | Salad Dressing | Global | Dressing | Tangy, light | Yes | A zesty salad dressing made with lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs. |
37 | Lemon zest | Ingredient | Global | Flavoring | Zesty, aromatic | Yes | Grated outer peel of a lemon, used to enhance flavor in both sweet and savory dishes. |
38 | Lemonade | Beverage | Global | Drink | Sweet, tart | Yes | A popular drink made from lemon juice, sugar, and water—served cold. |
39 | Lemongrass | Herb | Asia | Curry, soup | Lemony, grassy | Yes | A tropical plant with a lemon flavor used widely in Thai and Vietnamese dishes. |
40 | Lemony snicket | Dessert | USA | Playful dessert | Sweet, tart | No | Whimsical dessert name often used for lemon-flavored sweets with a twist. |
41 | Lengua (beef tongue) | Meat | Latin America | Main dish | Rich, tender | No | Slow-cooked beef tongue, often served in tacos or stews. |
42 | Lentil dal | Legume Dish | India | Side or main | Spiced, hearty | Yes | Indian spiced stew made from lentils and often served with rice or roti. |
43 | Lentil salad | Salad | Mediterranean | Side dish | Earthy, tangy | Yes | Salad made with cooked lentils, herbs, and vinaigrette, served cold. |
44 | Lentil soup | Soup | Middle East | Starter or main | Earthy, savory | Yes | A warm, hearty soup made from lentils, spices, and vegetables. |
45 | Lentils | Legume | Middle East | Stews, soups | Earthy | Yes | Small edible legumes used in soups, stews, and Indian dals. |
46 | Leprechaun pie | Dessert | USA | Holiday dessert | Sweet, colorful | No | A festive green pie often made for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. |
47 | Lettuce | Vegetable | Egypt | Salads, wraps | Crisp, mild | Yes | A leafy green used as a base for salads and in sandwiches. |
48 | Lettuce wraps | Appetizer | Asia | Handheld meal | Fresh, savory | Yes | Leafy wraps filled with meat, tofu, or veggies—popular in Asian cuisine. |
49 | Licorice | Confection | Europe | Snack | Sweet, anise-like | No | Candy made from licorice root extract, popular in black and red varieties. |
50 | Licorice root | Root/Herb | Asia | Tea, medicine | Sweet, earthy | Yes | Used in herbal teas and traditional medicine for its naturally sweet flavor. |
51. Liege waffle

52. Light cream

53. Lilikoi (passion fruit)

54. Lima beans

55. Limburger cheese

56. Lime

57. Limeade

58. Limonana (Middle Eastern mint lemonade)

59. Limoncello

60. Ling fish

61. Lingonberry

62. Linguica

63. Linguine

64. Linguini with clam sauce

65. Linseed (another name for flaxseed)

66. Linzer cookies

67. Lion’s mane mushroom

68. Liptauer (spiced cheese spread)

69. Liqueur

70. Liquorice

71. Little gem lettuce

72. Littleneck clams

73. Liver

74. Liver and onions

75. Liver pate

No | Name | Type | Origin | Use | Taste | Vegan | Fun Fact |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
51 | Liege waffle | Dessert | Belgium | Snack or dessert | Sweet, caramelized | No | Dense and chewy Belgian waffle with pearl sugar for a crispy, caramelized crust. |
52 | Light cream | Dairy | Global | Coffee, sauces | Mild, creamy | No | A lower-fat cream often used in coffee or light recipes. |
53 | Lilikoi (passion fruit) | Fruit | Hawaii | Juices, desserts | Tart, aromatic | Yes | A tropical fruit with tangy pulp, known as passion fruit elsewhere. |
54 | Lima beans | Legume | South America | Soups, stews | Earthy, buttery | Yes | Also called butter beans, these are rich in fiber and protein. |
55 | Limburger cheese | Cheese | Belgium | Sandwiches | Strong, pungent | No | Notorious for its strong smell, but creamy and flavorful inside. |
56 | Lime | Fruit | Asia | Juices, flavoring | Tart, citrusy | Yes | A small green citrus fruit used worldwide in drinks and cuisine. |
57 | Limeade | Beverage | Global | Drink | Sweet, tart | Yes | Refreshing drink made from lime juice, sugar, and water. |
58 | Limonana (Middle Eastern mint lemonade) | Beverage | Middle East | Drink | Minty, citrusy | Yes | Frozen lemonade blended with fresh mint, a popular summer drink. |
59 | Limoncello | Liqueur | Italy | Digestif | Sweet, lemony | No | An Italian lemon liqueur traditionally served chilled after meals. |
60 | Ling fish | Seafood | Northern Atlantic | Grilled, baked | Mild, firm | No | A white-fleshed fish often used as an alternative to cod. |
61 | Lingonberry | Berry | Scandinavia | Jams, sauces | Tart | Yes | Bright red berries used in Swedish dishes like meatballs and jams. |
62 | Linguica | Sausage | Portugal | Grilled, stews | Garlicky, smoky | No | A Portuguese smoked sausage made with garlic and paprika. |
63 | Linguine | Pasta | Italy | Pasta dishes | Neutral | Yes | Flat spaghetti-like pasta, commonly paired with seafood or cream sauces. |
64 | Linguini with clam sauce | Main Dish | Italy | Pasta dish | Savory, briny | No | Italian pasta tossed with clams, garlic, and white wine sauce. |
65 | Linseed (another name for flaxseed) | Seed | Eurasia | Baking, cereal | Nutty | Yes | High in omega-3s, linseed is often ground and added to healthy recipes. |
66 | Linzer cookies | Dessert | Austria | Cookie | Buttery, fruity | No | Almond-based cookies filled with fruit jam, topped with powdered sugar. |
67 | Lion’s mane mushroom | Fungus | Asia | Sautéed, medicinal | Seafood-like | Yes | A shaggy mushroom with a taste and texture similar to crab or lobster. |
68 | Liptauer (spiced cheese spread) | Spread | Austria/Hungary | Bread topping | Tangy, spiced | No | Made from soft cheese mixed with paprika, onion, and mustard. |
69 | Liqueur | Alcohol | Global | Drink, flavoring | Sweet, varied | No | Sweetened spirits flavored with fruits, herbs, or spices. |
70 | Liquorice | Candy | Europe | Snack | Sweet, anise | No | Chewy candy flavored with extract of the licorice root. |
71 | Little gem lettuce | Vegetable | UK | Salads | Sweet, crisp | Yes | A small, sweet variety of romaine lettuce, ideal for grilling or salads. |
72 | Littleneck clams | Seafood | USA | Steamed, raw | Briny | No | Small clams often served steamed or raw on the half shell. |
73 | Liver | Meat | Global | Fried, pâté | Rich, metallic | No | Organ meat rich in iron and nutrients, used in many global cuisines. |
74 | Liver and onions | Main Dish | Global | Entrée | Savory, earthy | No | Classic dish with fried liver and caramelized onions, often served with gravy. |
75 | Liver pate | Spread | France | Appetizer | Rich, smooth | No | Finely ground liver mixed with spices, butter, and sometimes wine. |
76. Liverwurst

77. Llama meat

78. Lo mein

79. Loaf

80. Lobscouse (stew)

81. Lobster

82. Lobster bisque

83. Lobster roll

84. Lobster thermidor

85. Locro (South American stew)

86. Loganberry

87. Lollipop

88. London broil

89. Long johns (donuts)

90. Longan

91. Long-grain rice

92. Loofah (edible when young)

93. Loquat

94. Loquat jam

95. Lotus root

96. Louisiana hot sauce

97. Lox

98. Lumpia

99. Lychee

100. Lyonnaise potatoes

No | Name | Type | Origin | Use | Taste | Vegan | Fun Fact |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
76 | Liverwurst | Sausage | Germany | Spread, sandwich | Rich, spiced | No | A soft, spreadable sausage made from liver, commonly eaten on rye bread. |
77 | Llama meat | Meat | South America | Grilled, stew | Lean, gamey | No | A lean and protein-rich red meat traditionally eaten in Andean regions. |
78 | Lo mein | Noodle Dish | China | Main course | Savory, saucy | No | Stir-fried wheat noodles mixed with vegetables and often meat or tofu. |
79 | Loaf | Bakery | Global | Sandwiches, toast | Varies | Depends | A general term for bread baked in a loaf shape, can be sweet or savory. |
80 | Lobscouse (stew) | Stew | Northern Europe | Main dish | Hearty, savory | No | A sailor’s stew with meat and vegetables, popular in Nordic and British regions. |
81 | Lobster | Seafood | Atlantic Ocean | Boiled, grilled | Sweet, rich | No | A prized shellfish served with butter or in seafood dishes like bisques. |
82 | Lobster bisque | Soup | France | Starter | Rich, creamy | No | Velvety soup made with lobster stock, cream, and butter. |
83 | Lobster roll | Sandwich | USA (New England) | Lunch | Buttery, savory | No | A sandwich of chilled lobster meat in a buttered, toasted roll. |
84 | Lobster thermidor | Main Dish | France | Fine dining | Rich, creamy | No | Lobster meat baked with egg yolks, mustard, and brandy, then broiled in shell. |
85 | Locro (South American stew) | Stew | Argentina/Peru | Main dish | Hearty, earthy | No | Traditional Andean stew made with corn, beans, squash, and meat. |
86 | Loganberry | Berry | USA | Jam, desserts | Tart-sweet | Yes | A hybrid of raspberry and blackberry, often used in syrups and juices. |
87 | Lollipop | Candy | Global | Snack | Sweet | No | Hard candy on a stick enjoyed in many flavors by both kids and adults. |
88 | London broil | Beef Dish | USA | Grilled, roasted | Beefy, savory | No | Marinated and grilled flank or top round steak, sliced thin across the grain. |
89 | Long johns (donuts) | Pastry | USA | Breakfast, dessert | Sweet | No | Bar-shaped yeast donuts, often topped with chocolate or vanilla icing. |
90 | Longan | Fruit | Southeast Asia | Fresh, desserts | Sweet, juicy | Yes | A translucent tropical fruit similar to lychee, often called “dragon’s eye.” |
91 | Long-grain rice | Grain | Global | Main or side dish | Neutral | Yes | Popular rice variety that stays separate and fluffy when cooked. |
92 | Loofah (edible when young) | Vegetable | Asia | Soups, stir-fry | Mild, slightly sweet | Yes | Young loofah is a soft, spongy gourd eaten in many Asian cuisines. |
93 | Loquat | Fruit | China | Fresh, jams | Sweet, tangy | Yes | Small orange fruit with juicy flesh and large seeds, high in vitamin A. |
94 | Loquat jam | Preserve | China | Spread | Sweet | Yes | Jam made from loquats, often used as a breakfast spread or dessert topping. |
95 | Lotus root | Vegetable | Asia | Fried, stir-fry | Crisp, nutty | Yes | Crunchy, tubular root vegetable used in many Asian dishes and soups. |
96 | Louisiana hot sauce | Condiment | USA | Flavoring | Spicy, tangy | Yes | Hot sauce made from aged peppers, vinegar, and salt — a Southern staple. |
97 | Lox | Seafood | USA/Jewish cuisine | Bagels, appetizers | Salty, silky | No | Cured salmon fillet typically served with bagels and cream cheese. |
98 | Lumpia | Appetizer | Philippines | Fried or fresh | Savory | No | Filipino spring rolls filled with vegetables and/or meat, served with dipping sauce. |
99 | Lychee | Fruit | China | Fresh, desserts | Sweet, floral | Yes | A tropical fruit with translucent flesh and a floral, sweet flavor. |
100 | Lyonnaise potatoes | Side Dish | France | Entrée side | Buttery, savory | Yes | Sautéed potatoes with caramelized onions and parsley, French classic side dish. |
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