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

Explore the world of flavors with our comprehensive list of “100 Foods that Start with the Letter M.” From sweet treats like macarons and marshmallows to savory delights like meatballs and moussaka, this list is a celebration of the rich and diverse culinary landscape that the letter M has to offer.

1. Mac and cheese

2. Macadamia nuts

3. Macaroni

4. Macaroons

5. Mace

6. Machaca

7. Mâche

8. Mackerel

9. Mackerel fish fillet

10. Madeira cake

11. Madeleines

12. Madras curry

13. Mahi-mahi

14. Mai tai

15. Maize

16. Maize flour

17. Majool dates

18. Makizushi

19. Malai kofta

20. Malanga

21. Malefouf (cabbage rolls)

22. Malpuas

23. Malt

24. Malted milk

25. Manchego cheese

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
1	Mac and cheese	Pasta Dish	USA	Main course	Cheesy, creamy	No	A comfort food favorite made with elbow pasta and melted cheese sauce.
2	Macadamia nuts	Nut	Australia	Snacking, baking	Rich, buttery	Yes	Native to Australia, these nuts are prized for their creamy texture and taste.
3	Macaroni	Pasta	Italy	Main or side	Neutral	Yes	Short, curved pasta commonly used in baked dishes and creamy sauces.
4	Macaroons	Cookie	France/Italy	Dessert	Sweet, chewy	Yes	Made with coconut or almond, these cookies are crisp outside and chewy inside.
5	Mace	Spice	Indonesia	Flavoring	Warm, aromatic	Yes	Derived from the outer covering of nutmeg seeds, used in baking and spice blends.
6	Machaca	Dried Meat	Mexico	Breakfast, tacos	Salty, savory	No	Shredded dried beef used in Mexican cuisine, often with eggs or peppers.
7	Mâche	Leafy Green	France	Salads	Mild, nutty	Yes	Also called lamb’s lettuce, it’s a tender green used in gourmet salads.
8	Mackerel	Fish	Atlantic Ocean	Grilled, canned	Oily, rich	No	A flavorful oily fish high in omega-3s, often grilled or smoked.
9	Mackerel fish fillet	Seafood	Global	Main dish	Bold, savory	No	Boneless mackerel served grilled, pan-seared, or in stews and curries.
10	Madeira cake	Cake	England	Dessert	Light, buttery	No	A firm, buttery sponge cake traditionally served with tea, not wine.
11	Madeleines	Pastry	France	Tea-time snack	Sweet, soft	No	Shell-shaped sponge cakes with a light texture and buttery flavor.
12	Madras curry	Curry	India	Main dish	Spicy, aromatic	No	A spicy South Indian curry known for its bold flavor and red chili heat.
13	Mahi-mahi	Fish	Tropical waters	Grilled, seared	Mild, firm	No	A popular fish with lean, flaky white flesh and a slightly sweet flavor.
14	Mai tai	Cocktail	USA (Tiki culture)	Beverage	Fruity, boozy	No	A tropical rum-based drink mixed with lime, orgeat, and orange liqueur.
15	Maize	Grain	Mesoamerica	Main or side	Sweet, earthy	Yes	Another name for corn, a staple food crop in many cultures.
16	Maize flour	Flour	Mexico	Tortillas, baking	Mild, earthy	Yes	Ground dried corn, used in dishes like tortillas and cornbread.
17	Majool dates	Fruit	Middle East	Snacking, desserts	Sweet, chewy	Yes	Large, soft dates known for their caramel flavor and natural sweetness.
18	Makizushi	Sushi	Japan	Main or snack	Umami, fresh	No	Sushi rolls wrapped in seaweed and filled with rice, fish, or vegetables.
19	Malai kofta	Curry	India	Main dish	Rich, creamy	No	Fried veggie or paneer balls served in a creamy tomato-based curry sauce.
20	Malanga	Root Vegetable	Caribbean	Boiled, mashed	Nutty, starchy	Yes	A tuber used similarly to taro or yam, often in Caribbean and Latin dishes.
21	Malefouf (cabbage rolls)	Main Dish	Lebanon	Stuffed vegetable	Herby, savory	No	Grape or cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and meat.
22	Malpuas	Dessert	India	Sweet dish	Syrupy, fried	No	Deep-fried pancakes soaked in sugar syrup, often served during festivals.
23	Malt	Grain Product	Global	Beverage, baking	Sweet, toasty	Yes	Germinated cereal grains used in brewing, baking, and malted milk.
24	Malted milk	Beverage	USA	Drink, desserts	Sweet, creamy	No	A powdered blend of milk and malted barley, often used in milkshakes.
25	Manchego cheese	Cheese	Spain	Snacking, cheese boards	Nutty, buttery	No	A firm sheep’s milk cheese from Spain with a distinct flavor and aroma.

26. Mandarin oranges

27. Mandarins

28. Mango

29. Mango chutney

30. Mango lassi

31. Mango salsa

32. Mangosteen

33. Manhattans (cocktail)

34. Manicotti

35. Manioc

36. Manti (dumplings)

37. Maple butter

38. Maple syrup

39. Maraschino cherries

40. Marble cake

41. Margarine

42. Marinara sauce

43. Marjoram

44. Marmalade

45. Marsala wine

46. Marshmallows

47. Martini

48. Marzipan

49. Mascarpone

50. Mascarpone cheese

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
26	Mandarin oranges	Fruit	China	Snacking, salads	Sweet, juicy	Yes	These small, easy-to-peel citrus fruits are a favorite in winter and for gifting.
27	Mandarins	Fruit	China	Raw, desserts	Sweet, tangy	Yes	Another name for mandarin oranges, known for their bright flavor and fragrance.
28	Mango	Fruit	India	Raw, juice, desserts	Sweet, tropical	Yes	Mangoes are rich in vitamins and beloved for their juicy, sunny flavor.
29	Mango chutney	Condiment	India	Accompaniment	Sweet, spicy	Yes	A flavorful mix of ripe mangoes and spices, often paired with curries or cheese.
30	Mango lassi	Beverage	India	Drink	Sweet, creamy	No	A yogurt-based mango drink, refreshing and popular in Indian cuisine.
31	Mango salsa	Sauce	Mexico	Topping, dip	Sweet, spicy	Yes	A fruity salsa made with diced mango, chilies, and herbs—perfect for grilled meats.
32	Mangosteen	Fruit	Southeast Asia	Fresh, juices	Sweet, tangy	Yes	Often called the “queen of fruits,” mangosteen has soft white flesh and a floral taste.
33	Manhattans (cocktail)	Drink	USA	Cocktail	Strong, bittersweet	No	A classic whiskey-based cocktail with sweet vermouth and bitters, served stirred.
34	Manicotti	Pasta Dish	Italy	Main course	Rich, cheesy	No	Tubular pasta filled with cheese and baked in sauce—an Italian-American favorite.
35	Manioc	Root Vegetable	South America	Boiled, baked	Bland, starchy	Yes	Also called cassava or yuca, it’s used to make tapioca and other staples.
36	Manti (dumplings)	Dumplings	Turkey/Central Asia	Main, appetizer	Savory, spiced	No	These small meat-filled dumplings are steamed or boiled and served with yogurt or sauces.
37	Maple butter	Spread	Canada	Toast, pancakes	Sweet, creamy	No	A whipped blend of maple syrup and butter, perfect on waffles or toast.
38	Maple syrup	Syrup	Canada	Sweetener	Sweet, earthy	Yes	Harvested from maple trees, this syrup is iconic in North American breakfasts.
39	Maraschino cherries	Preserved Fruit	Italy/USA	Garnish, desserts	Sweet, artificial	No	Bright red cherries soaked in syrup, often used in cocktails and ice cream sundaes.
40	Marble cake	Dessert	Germany	Cake	Sweet, buttery	No	This cake features swirls of chocolate and vanilla for a striking marbled effect.
41	Margarine	Spread	France	Butter substitute	Mild, creamy	No	A butter alternative made from vegetable oils, often used in baking.
42	Marinara sauce	Sauce	Italy	Pasta, pizza	Tomato-rich, herby	Yes	A classic tomato-based Italian sauce made with garlic, herbs, and onions.
43	Marjoram	Herb	Mediterranean	Flavoring	Sweet, piney	Yes	A fragrant herb used in Italian and Middle Eastern cooking, milder than oregano.
44	Marmalade	Spread	UK	Toast, baking	Sweet, tangy	Yes	A citrus-based preserve typically made with oranges and their peel.
45	Marsala wine	Fortified Wine	Italy	Cooking, drinking	Sweet or dry	No	Used in both desserts and savory dishes like Chicken Marsala.
46	Marshmallows	Confection	France	Desserts, snacks	Sweet, fluffy	No	Soft, spongy treats often toasted or added to hot chocolate.
47	Martini	Cocktail	USA	Beverage	Strong, dry	No	A classic cocktail of gin and vermouth, often garnished with olives or a twist.
48	Marzipan	Confection	Middle East/Europe	Desserts, decorations	Sweet, almond	Yes	A sweet paste made from ground almonds and sugar, used in candies and cake décor.
49	Mascarpone	Cheese	Italy	Desserts, spreads	Rich, creamy	No	This Italian cream cheese is a key ingredient in tiramisu and cheesecakes.
50	Mascarpone cheese	Cheese	Italy	Desserts	Mild, buttery	No	Identical to mascarpone, used for its velvety texture in many creamy desserts.

51. Mashed potatoes

52. Matambre

53. Matcha

54. Matcha tea

55. Matjes herring

56. Matzah brei

57. Matzo

58. Mayan chocolate

59. Mayonnaise

60. Mazzafegati (Italian liver sausage)

61. Meat pie

62. Meatballs

63. Meatloaf

64. Medjool dates

65. Medlar

66. Melba toast

67. Meringue

68. Mescal

69. Mesclun greens

70. Mint

71. Minute rice

72. Mirin

73. Miso soup

74. Miso salmon

75. Miso ramen

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
51	Mashed potatoes	Side Dish	Global	Side, main	Creamy, savory	Yes	A comforting dish made from boiled, mashed potatoes, often mixed with butter and milk.
52	Matambre	Meat Dish	Argentina	Grilled, stuffed	Rich, meaty	No	A rolled beef flank steak dish filled with vegetables and eggs, grilled or baked.
53	Matcha	Powdered Tea	Japan	Drinks, desserts	Earthy, slightly bitter	Yes	Finely ground green tea powder known for its vibrant color and health benefits.
54	Matcha tea	Beverage	Japan	Drink	Earthy, umami	Yes	A traditional Japanese tea made by whisking matcha powder with hot water.
55	Matjes herring	Fish	Northern Europe	Cold dish	Briny, slightly sweet	No	Young herring pickled in a mild brine, popular in Scandinavian cuisine.
56	Matzah brei	Breakfast Dish	Jewish Cuisine	Fried breakfast	Eggy, savory	No	A Passover dish made from matzah and eggs, similar to scrambled eggs with cracker bits.
57	Matzo	Unleavened Bread	Jewish Cuisine	Flatbread	Plain, crunchy	Yes	Traditional unleavened bread eaten during Passover.
58	Mayan chocolate	Dessert	Central America	Drink, dessert	Spicy, bitter	Yes	A rich, spiced chocolate made with chili and cinnamon, inspired by ancient Mayan recipes.
59	Mayonnaise	Condiment	France	Spread, dip	Rich, tangy	No	An emulsion of oil and egg yolk, used in sandwiches and salads.
60	Mazzafegati (Italian liver sausage)	Sausage	Italy	Grilled, pan-fried	Rich, savory	No	A traditional sausage made with liver and flavored with orange peel and spices.
61	Meat pie	Pastry Dish	UK/Australia	Main, snack	Hearty, meaty	No	A savory pie filled with minced or chopped meat, popular in British cuisine.
62	Meatballs	Meat Dish	Global	Main, side	Savory, spiced	No	Ground meat formed into balls, seasoned and cooked, often served with sauce or pasta.
63	Meatloaf	Meat Dish	USA	Main	Savory, hearty	No	A loaf-shaped dish made from ground meat and seasonings, baked and often glazed.
64	Medjool dates	Fruit	Middle East	Snacking, baking	Sweet, chewy	Yes	Large, soft dates prized for their rich flavor and natural sweetness.
65	Medlar	Fruit	Europe	Preserves	Tart when fresh, sweet when bletted	Yes	A unique fruit that must ripen (blet) before eating, used in jellies and desserts.
66	Melba toast	Toast	France	Snack, appetizer	Crispy, mild	Yes	Thin, crisp toast slices served with soups or toppings like pâté or cheese.
67	Meringue	Dessert	France/Switzerland	Sweet treat	Light, sweet	No	Whipped egg whites and sugar baked into crisp or chewy confections.
68	Mescal	Alcoholic Beverage	Mexico	Drink	Smoky, strong	No	A distilled spirit made from agave, known for its earthy and smoky flavor.
69	Mesclun greens	Leafy Greens	France	Salads	Peppery, mild	Yes	A mix of young salad greens including arugula, spinach, and lettuces.
70	Mint	Herb	Mediterranean	Flavoring, garnish	Fresh, cool	Yes	Aromatic herb used in beverages, desserts, and savory dishes.
71	Minute rice	Grain	USA	Quick meals	Mild	Yes	Pre-cooked rice that can be prepared quickly by rehydrating with hot water.
72	Mirin	Cooking Wine	Japan	Flavoring	Sweet, umami	No	A sweet rice wine used in Japanese cooking to balance flavors and add shine.
73	Miso soup	Soup	Japan	Starter	Salty, umami	No	A traditional Japanese soup made with miso paste, tofu, and seaweed.
74	Miso salmon	Main Course	Japan	Grilled, baked	Umami, savory	No	Salmon marinated in a miso-based sauce and typically grilled or broiled.
75	Miso ramen	Noodle Soup	Japan	Main	Rich, umami	No	A flavorful ramen variety with broth made from miso paste, served with toppings.

76. Mochi

77. Molasses

78. Mole sauce

79. Monkfish

80. Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

81. Mooncake

82. Moong dal

83. Morcilla (blood sausage)

84. Morel mushrooms

85. Morello cherries

86. Mortadella

87. Moussaka

88. Mousse

89. Mozzarella

90. Muesli

91. Mulberries

92. Mulligatawny soup

93. Mung bean sprouts

94. Mung beans

95. Muscat grapes

96. Mussels

97. Mustard

98. Mustard greens

99. Mutton

100. Mysore pak

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
76	Mochi	Rice Cake	Japan	Dessert, snack	Chewy, sweet	Yes	Soft, sticky rice cakes made from glutinous rice, often filled with sweet paste or ice cream.
77	Molasses	Syrup	Middle East	Sweetener, baking	Thick, bittersweet	Yes	A dark, syrupy by-product of sugar refining, used in baking and marinades.
78	Mole sauce	Sauce	Mexico	Savory dishes	Spicy, rich	Yes	A complex Mexican sauce made from chiles, spices, and chocolate, used in traditional dishes.
79	Monkfish	Fish	Atlantic Ocean	Grilled, roasted	Mild, firm	No	Often called “poor man’s lobster” for its texture, monkfish is a meaty white fish prized in gourmet cooking.
80	Monosodium glutamate (MSG)	Flavor Enhancer	Japan	Seasoning	Umami	Yes	A flavor enhancer used to boost umami taste in savory foods.
81	Mooncake	Dessert	China	Festival treat	Sweet, dense	No	Traditional pastry eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, filled with lotus seed or red bean paste.
82	Moong dal	Legume	India	Curries, soups	Mild, nutty	Yes	Split mung beans used in Indian cuisine, rich in protein and easy to digest.
83	Morcilla (blood sausage)	Sausage	Spain/Latin America	Grilled, fried	Savory, rich	No	A sausage made from pork blood and rice or onions, known for its bold flavor.
84	Morel mushrooms	Fungus	North America, Europe	Sauteed, soups	Earthy, nutty	Yes	A highly prized wild mushroom with a unique honeycomb cap and intense flavor.
85	Morello cherries	Fruit	Europe	Pies, preserves	Tart	Yes	Sour cherries often used in baking and liqueurs like cherry brandy.
86	Mortadella	Sausage	Italy	Sandwiches	Mild, savory	No	A large Italian sausage made from finely ground pork, often containing cubes of fat and pistachios.
87	Moussaka	Casserole	Greece	Main	Rich, savory	No	A layered dish of eggplant, ground meat, and béchamel sauce, baked until golden.
88	Mousse	Dessert	France	Dessert	Light, airy	No	A fluffy dessert made with whipped cream or egg whites, often chocolate or fruit flavored.
89	Mozzarella	Cheese	Italy	Pizza, salads	Mild, creamy	No	A soft, white cheese traditionally made from buffalo milk, known for its stretchiness when melted.
90	Muesli	Breakfast Cereal	Switzerland	Breakfast	Nutty, wholesome	Yes	A mix of oats, dried fruit, nuts, and seeds, often soaked in milk or yogurt.
91	Mulberries	Fruit	Asia, North America	Snacks, jams	Sweet, juicy	Yes	Small, juicy berries that resemble blackberries and grow on trees.
92	Mulligatawny soup	Soup	India/UK	Starter	Spicy, rich	No	A British-Indian fusion soup with lentils, curry, and sometimes chicken or lamb.
93	Mung bean sprouts	Vegetable	Asia	Salads, stir-fry	Crunchy, fresh	Yes	Sprouted mung beans commonly used in Asian dishes for texture and nutrition.
94	Mung beans	Legume	India/Asia	Soups, curries	Mild, nutty	Yes	Green legumes high in protein, often used whole or split in various cuisines.
95	Muscat grapes	Fruit	Mediterranean	Eating, wine	Sweet, floral	Yes	Highly aromatic grapes used for fresh eating and in sweet wines.
96	Mussels	Shellfish	Global	Steamed, grilled	Briny, tender	No	Bivalve mollusks often steamed with garlic, wine, and herbs.
97	Mustard	Condiment	Ancient Rome	Sauces, sandwiches	Sharp, tangy	Yes	A paste made from ground mustard seeds, used as a condiment and in dressings.
98	Mustard greens	Leafy Green	Asia/America	Boiled, sautéed	Peppery, bitter	Yes	Spicy, dark green leaves often cooked like spinach or kale.
99	Mutton	Meat	Middle East, India	Curries, roasts	Gamey, rich	No	Meat from mature sheep, known for its strong flavor and firm texture.
100	Mysore pak	Dessert	India	Sweets	Rich, sweet	Yes	A dense Indian sweet made from gram flour, ghee, and sugar, originating in Mysore.