Announcing 50+ Unique Food That Start With W

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Are you into arts and crafts? How about food arts and crafts? Er… something like that. Anyway, there comes a time when you’re either playing an alphabet game or coming up with a craft for a letter of the alphabet and you come upon a stumbling block. OR MAYBE you’re doing a crossword puzzle or you’re a student who is learning English and you’re looking for food that start with W in English. Well, if you’re experiencing any of these things (or something similar… or you’re just curious), here is a list of names of food that start with W. But first, let’s begin with some frequently asked questions regarding foods that start with the letter W.

 

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List of Food That Start With W FAQs 

We’ll go into more detail later in the article, but here are just a few answers to some frequently asked questions related to some food that start with the letter W.

 

What kind of foods start with W?

There are so many different kinds of food that start with W from all over the world! Some of these foods include wasabi, waffles, wafers, walking tacos, Williams pear, warabi mochi, watercress, and wat.

 

What is the most popular food in the W?

Some of the most popular food in the world that begin with W are walnuts, wheat, Worcestershire sauce, and waffles.

 

What meat starts with the letter W?

Some meat examples that start with the letter W include:

• Wild boar
• Wahoo fish
• Walleye fish

 

What are some unique foods?

You can find some unique foods that start with the letter W such as:

• Waterbloommetjiebredie
• Welsh rarebit
• Warabi mochi
• Wallenbergare

 

What is a vegetable that starts with the letter W?

Here is a list of more than one vegetable that start with the letter W:

• White potato
• Walla walla onion
• Water chestnut
• Water spinach
• Witlof

 

What breakfast foods start with W?

Here is a list of some breakfast foods that start with w:

• Waffles
• Waffle Crisp
• Weetabix

 

Related Articles:

• List of More Than 50 Food That Start With N
• List of More Than 30 Food That Start With Y
• List of More Than 50 Food That Start With T
• 27 Interesting Food Starting With The Letter X

 

List of Popular North American Food That Start With W (United States)

 

1. Walking Tacos

Strange name, right? I had only heard of these recently and the person who told me about them thought I was crazy because I never heard of them before. I guess I live in a bubble, lol. 

Or maybe it’s not a west coast thing? I don’t know, but what I do know is that I really liked them a lot the first time I had them!

In case you’re like me and you’re not familiar with walking tacos, another name for them is tacos in a bag. 

Does this give you a better idea?

Basically, they’re called “walking tacos” because it’s like eating a taco, but you can easily walk around while you’re eating it (no plates needed).

You basically start off by opening up a small personal-sized bag of chips, like Doritos or Fritos. 

Then you add your typical taco ingredients such as ground beef, beans, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Next, you take your fork and you scoop them up and chomp, chomp, chomp!

 

2. Watermelon

Watermelon is a LARGE fruit that is cultivated in temperate and tropical climates.

It has a hard outer shell and red, SUPER JUICY flesh with black seeds.

 

3. Wheat

Wheat is a worldwide staple food. It’s a species of cereal grass that is cultivated for its seed.

Also, it’s one of the oldest types of cereal grasses. In fact, it’s mentioned several times in the Bible. 

You can make several things with wheat, such as:

• Bread
• Pasta
• Pastries
• Crackers
• Flours

 

4. Waldorf Salad

Waldorf salad is a kind of salad that was developed in New York City in the year 1896 for a charity event. More specifically, it’s named after the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York.

The primary ingredients for this salad include the following:

• Green apples
• Walnuts
• Celery
• Grapes
• Mayonnaise

In modern times, however, many people like to also incorporate other ingredients such as chicken and dried fruit.

If you’re interested, here is the Waldorf salad recipe they use at the original Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City posted by popsugarliving:

Interested in another modern twist? If so, check out this recipe on the YouTube channel Chai’s Kitchen:

 

5. White Potatoes 

White potato is a root vegetable that grows in the regions of North to South America. However, they are now a staple food in many countries around the world.

The good thing about white potatoes is that they are so versatile! For example, you can cook them with the skin on or off, you can boil or bake them (or my favorite way is cooking them in the Instant Pot), and you can cut them up for French fries or you can cook them whole.

AND, you can use so many different seasonings, too.

 

6. Winter Squash 

So, winter squash is not one particular kind of squash, but several different kinds. Winter squash is different from summer squash in that they’re harvested during different times of the year. 

For example, summer squash is harvested during the summer while winter squash is harvested from late summer to fall.

Some of the different kinds of winter squashes include the following:

• Banana squash 
• Butternut squash
• Acorn squash
• Spaghetti squash

 

7. Wedge Salad

A wedge salad is not a typical salad that pops up in your mind when you think of the word salad. It’s actually a slice of lettuce head (normally a quartered or halved head of iceberg lettuce) with salad ingredients on top.

One of the things that people like about wedge salads is that they’re nice and crispy and very easy to make.

Here are some possible ingredients for a classic wedge salad:

• Diced tomatoes
• Bacon crumbles
• Chives
• Chopped red onions
• Blue cheese crumbles

If you’re interested in a classic wedge salad recipe, check this one out by Tastes Better from Scratch.

 

8. White Wine Vinegar

So, what exactly is white wine vinegar? I’ve seen it often in a lot of recipes. It’s basically fermented white wine and it’s used in a lot of recipes for dressings, meat, fish, and sauces.

Just keep in mind that if you are preparing a recipe that asks for white wine vinegar, do not substitute it for white wine or vice versa because they are completely different and have totally different tastes!

 

9. Wild Rice

I love, love, love wild rice! It’s a shame that it’s so much more expensive here in the United States than regular white rice because it has so much nutritional value!

It’s a semi-aquatic grass that grows in North America. Other names for wild rice include Canada rice, Indian rice, and water oats.

Also, wild rice is high in antioxidants, low in calories, and higher in protein than brown rice.

Oh, and remember how I’ve mentioned before that I’m all about texture when it comes to eating food? Well, one of the reasons I love wild rice is that it has a chewy outer texture.

Want to learn more? Check out this video by Learn to Cook:

 

10. Wisconsin Cheese

Ok, so many of us here in the United States have heard of Wisconsin cheese. However, many of us do not know what its significance is.

For those of you who may not know, Wisconsin cheese is a cheese that is produced in the state of Wisconsin. 

[Wisconsin is a state located in the midwestern part of the United States and it is known for its cheese production.]

Cheese-making in Wisconsin dates back to the 19th century when European immigrants settled there for its rich futile lands.

Astonishingly, Wisconsin now has over 1,500 cheese factories and produces hundreds of millions of pounds of cheese a year.

 

11. Wahoo Fish

Wahoo fish is also called the Ono fish in Hawaii and it is very similar to the Atlantic King Mackerel. Interestingly, the word ono in Hawaiian actually means “delicious”. 

Wahoo fish has a firm texture and many people like to grill it.

 

 

12. Walla Walla Onion

The walla walla onion is a type of sweet onion that is named after Walla Walla County in Washington state.

Actually, in the year 2007, it was declared the state’s official vegetable!

If you’re interested, you can find out more about Washington’s Walla walla sweet onion on the Walla Walla Sweet Onions website.

 

 

13. Whitebark Raspberry

The whitebark raspberry is a blackcap raspberry or blue raspberry that’s native to North America.

Many people enjoy eating it raw or cooked in pies or jams.

 

 

14. White Button Mushroom

The white button mushroom is arguably the most popular kind of mushroom here in the United States.

It has a mild flavor and goes well with a lot of different kinds of ingredients. A lot of people like to slice it and sautee it then put it on pizza or pasta.

 

15. White Figs

White figs are native to Middle Eastern countries. However, many white figs today are grown in Southern California.

They are very fragile and, therefore, many people normally find them in local farmers’ markets. Also, they are distinguishable by their pale green, yellow, or beige skin color. The flesh is soft and chewy and contains many little tiny seeds.

 

16. Williams Pear

The Williams pear is one of the most common types of pears grown outside of Asia. You might know it as a Bartlett pear here in the United States.

It has a typical pear shape (with a large bottom and thinner top) and has green skin that turns yellow when it is ripe.

 

17. Walleye Fish

The walleye fish is a freshwater fish that’s native to Canada and the northern part of the United States. Some people call it the yellow pike or yellow pickerel fish.

Also, many people in the United States, in Minnesota pubs, in particular, enjoy eating the walleye fish in a sandwich.

Interestingly, the walleye fish is a Minnesota state fair food where people enjoy eating deep-fried walleye fish on a stick.

 

18. Waffle Crisp

Waffle Crisp is a kind of maple-syrup flavored breakfast cereal made by Post Consumer Brands. What made this cereal unique from other sugary breakfast cereals was the little corn cereal pieces shaped like waffles.

Although it was discontinued in the year 2018, we now see it again on grocery store shelves here in the United States because the general public was asking for its return.

 

19. Wampee Fruit

The wampee fruit, which people also call the wampi fruit, is a sweet, yellow-skinned, grape-sized citrus fruit that comes from Asia.

[In the United States, it is sometimes cultivated in Florida and Hawaii].

20. Wheatgrass

OK, so wheatgrass is SUPER popular in California where I grew up (well, I guess I’m referring to wheatgrass shots that I used to always see at juice bars and smoothie shops like Jamba Juice). However, I haven’t seen it as much out here in Pittsburgh. Hmmm. Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places.

Anyway, wheatgrass is basically the leaves of a wheat plant and it contains many nutrients and enzymes that can be very beneficial to one’s health.

Also, traditionally, wheatgrass has been used in Persia and India during rituals and festivals.

 

21. Whey Protein

Whey protein is super popular in muscle-building communities. It’s basically a mixture of isolated proteins from whey. 

If you’re not already familiar with whey, it’s the byproduct of the milk that is used in cheese production.

 

List of Asian Food That Start With W

 

1. Water Chestnuts 

OK, so I don’t know why but I always confused water chestnuts with watercress. They’re COMPLETELY different things!

I don’t know why, but I never had water chestnuts before trying them for the first time when eating some Asian-inspired food at the dining hall when I lived in the dorms during my first year of college.

I IMMEDIATELY fell in love!

Have I mentioned before that I’m all about texture when it comes to my food? Well, water chestnuts have a crispy, crunchy texture that I love!

Before I get too excited, and if you’re not already aware of this, water chestnuts are actually aquatic vegetables that are native to Asia, Oceana, and tropical Africa.

They have white flesh that can be eaten raw or boiled or grilled.

Here’s a stir-fry recipe with water chestnuts in case you’re interested:

 

2. Wax Apples

A wax apple is a pear-shaped fruit that has a waxed-like coating. The colors can range from purple, and red, to pale green and the flesh is white and has high water content.

They are crunchy and juicy and taste similar to an Asian pear.

A wax apple is also known as the java apple, Semarang rose apple and wax jambu. However, in the Philippines people call it macopa.

 

3. Wood Apple

The wood apple, or what some people call the elephant apple, is a type of fruit that looks like a small coconut on the outside. Many people say that the inside smells like rotten blue cheese or an overripe banana.

The wood apple is very popular in Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine. Since it has a sour taste, people normally add sugar to make it into a delicious dessert, jam, or fruit juice.

 

4. White Pepper

White pepper is made from the berries of the pepper plant and it is very common in Portuguese, Thai, and Chinese cuisines.

Also, it is less pungent than black pepper and people use white pepper to add flavor to sauces, meats, and other dishes.

 

5. Wakame

Wakame is a type of edible seaweed that’s native to the Pacific Ocean. It’s very popular in Japan where people normally eat it in soups, like miso soup, and salads, like tofu salad.

In English, we sometimes call it sea mustard.

Have you ever had seaweed salad? I LOVE seaweed salad!

Anyway, seaweed salad is very popular in North American and in European sushi restaurants. It’s made from Goma wakame, which literally means sesame seaweed (because sesame seeds are normally added to the seaweed).

 

6. Wasabi

If you’ve never had wasabi before, just be aware that it’s VERY spicy hot. Some people call it Japanese horseradish.

Wasabi is a paste that tastes similar to hot mustard and people often eat it alongside sushi.

 

7. Wonton

Wonton is a kind of Chinese dumpling. It’s filled with edible ingredients and is cooked in batches by either steaming them or boiling them.

 

 

8. White Rice

White rice is rice that has been mechanically milled, meaning the husk, bran, and germ are removed.

If you were not already aware, most rice production comes from China (USDA).

 

9. Water Mimosa

Water mimosa is a type of perennial legume that grows in wet soil near water.

It’s possible that this plant is native to South America, but it is very common in Asian cuisine where people eat it like they would a vegetable. Meaning, that people either eat them raw or cooked in stirfry dishes.

 

10. Water Spinach

Water spinach is a green leafy vegetable that grows in the soil near water and is commonly used in stir-fry dishes. 

Another name for it is Chinese spinach, although it does not resemble the typical spinach we use here in the United States.

 

11. Wineberries

Wineberries are an Asian species of bright red raspberries that originated in China, Japan, and Korea. However, it is now very common to find them in Europe and North America near the Appalachian mountains.

Unfortunately, wineberries, at least here in the United States, are considered an invasive species. If interested, you can find more information about them here on invasive.org.

 

12. Winter Melon

These are other names for winter melons:

• Ash gourd
• Wax gourd
• Winter gourd
• Chinese preserving melon
• Tallow gourd
• Ash pumpkin

Winter melons are mild-tasting fruit that people in Asia use similar to how they would use vegetables. For example, like other guards such as zucchini and pumpkin, people like to use winter melons in soup.

 

13. Wolfberry

Another very common name for wolfberries is goji berries. Wolfberries are native to Asia and people normally use them in many sweet Asian food dishes.

In fact, wolfberries are available in many different forms. You can make them into a jam, juice, tea, or smoothie, and you can add them to a trail mix or muffins, too.

 

14. Warabi mochi

Warabi mochi is a type of Japanese confection that people make from warabiko (bracken starch… although many people today make it with potato starch)

It’s also covered in sweet toasted soybean flour called kinako.

However, it’s different from traditional mochi because mochi is made from glutinous rice.

Please, take a look at the video below by East Meets Kitchen to learn more about warabi mochi.

She does a GREAT job of explaining what it is! And my goodness, they look so mouth-watering, too!!!

 

List of European Food That Start With W

 

1. Waffles

People typically eat waffles for breakfast. They’re basically grilled batter or dough that is cooked under two hot plates with squared patterns. (These two hot plates are located on what we call a waffle iron).

Many people normally enjoy eating waffles with maple or pancake syrup and fresh fruits on top (maybe some whipped cream, too).

One of the most famous kinds of waffles around, at least here in the United States, is the Belgian waffle. 

These kinds of waffles differ from the American ones in that they have larger square patterns, deeper square pockets, and they use a lighter batter.

 

2. Watercress

Watercress is a green leafy herb that is native to Europe as well as Asia. More specifically, it’s an aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial herb that people often find in or near streams (U.S. Forest Service).

Similar to cilantro and parsley, it has edible round-ish leaves and edible stems.

Also, besides adding flavor to recipes, watercress offers plenty of nutrients that benefit the body in so many ways, such as helping to boost your immune system.

3. White Chocolate

Did you know that white chocolate is not actually real chocolate? The reason for this is that it’s not technically made with any chocolate solids. 

It’s made from sugar, milk products, vanilla, cocoa butter, and lecithin (it does not contain chocolate liquor or cocoa powder).

Also, many people here in the United States do not know this… but white chocolate does not come from the United States!

In fact, white chocolate actually comes from Switzerland and the original company that developed white chocolate was Nestlé in the year 1936.

The first white chocolate candy bar that Nestlé developed is Galak.

Are you interested in trying this candy bar? Luckily, you can find it here on Amazon.

If you’re interested in some famous candies in the United States that have white chocolate versions, you can find the list below:

• Hershey’s
• Kit-Kat
• Reese’s
• Snickers
• Twix
• M&M’s
• Dove

 

4. Whipped Cream

In case you were not already aware of this, whipped cream is basically heavy cream that has been whisked in a mixer. It’s super sweet and very fattening (unless you buy the ones that say fat-free or lite).

Other names for whipped cream are Chantilly cream or crème Chantilly.

Although nobody really knows the true origins of whipped cream, historians have found recipes with whipped cream in Italy in the year 1549 and in France in the year 1604.

 

5. Worcestershire Sauce

Although I strongly dislike saying this word, because I get embarrassed at how difficult it is for me to pronounce, Worcestershire sauce does make a difference in your meat recipe dishes!

The sauce originally comes from Worcestershire, England, and is a fermented liquid condiment.

There are many different variations of this kind of sauce in various countries including:

• Costa Rica:  Salsa Lizano (I can vouch for this sauce since I’m Costa Rican… check out my page on Costa Rican Rice and Beans for more information).
• El Salvador: Salsa Inglesa “English sauce”
• Mexico: Salsa Inglesa
• Venezuela: Salsa Inglesa
• Brazil & Portugal: Molho Inglês
• Denmark: Engelsk sauce
• Germany: Worcestersauce Dresdener Art 
• United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand: Holbrook’s Worcestershire
• United States: Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
• Thailand: Gy-Nguang Worcester Sauce 
• Japan: Worcester sauce – Usutā sōsu (ウスターソース)
• China: Spicy soy sauce
• Hong Kong: Gip-sauce
• Taiwan: Spicy vinegar (Taiwan Black Vinegar)

 

6. Waffle Fries

I love Chick-fil-a’s waffle fries!

Waffle fries are thick-cut french fries shaped like a waffle.

 

7. Wafers

A wafer is a type of cookie that’s very sweet, thin, and crispy with a flavored paste in between two layers and it originates in western Europe.

Some of the most popular flavors are vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.

Many people like to use wafers as a garnish on top of desserts such as ice cream. I like to eat them by themselves like a snack 😀

I love and recommend the Keebler wafers.

8. Whortleberry

Whortleberry is a dark blue European berry.

However, whortleberries are different from North American blueberries. One of the differences is that the whortleberry has a smooth round outlining on the berry at the end opposite the stalk whereas North American blueberries have star-like flaps that come from it.

Also similar to blueberries, people like to use whortleberries to make pies, jams, and juices.

 

9. Wagon Wheels

Wagan wheels are sweet snacks that are very popular in Britain as well as some other countries. 

They’re very similar to moon pies we have here in the United States in that they consist of two biscuits with marshmallows and jam filling and are covered in chocolate.

 

10. Weetabix

Weetabix is a wheat biscuit breakfast cereal that is produced in the United Kingdom.

These are the different Weetabix varieties:

• Crispy Minis
• Organic
• Chocolate
• Banana
• Baked with Golden Syrup
• Chocolate Spoonsize
• Protein

 

11. Welsh Rarebit

Welsh rarebit is a type of dish from Britain that consists of cheese or cheese sauce over toasted bread.

Sometimes people like to add spices on top like paprika or cayenne pepper.

Here, take a look and see. This video is by Chef Mooney:

 

12. Witlof

Witlof is a bitter-tasting vegetable from the Netherlands. In the United States, we call this vegetable the Belgian endive, endive, or chicory.

It’s low in carbohydrates and many people eat it raw or cooked.

 

13. Wiener Schnitzel

Wiener schnitzel, sometimes people spell it wienerschnitzel, is a type of schnitzel that’s made of breaded veal cutlet and it comes from central Europe. 

[In case you’re wondering what a schnitzel is, it’s a is a thin slice of breaded meat that’s normally pan fried].

Also, it’s important to note that sometimes people use pork instead of veal since it is a cheaper option.

The pork ones are sometimes called Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein.

 

14. Wurst Sausage

Wursts are unique food that start with W that come from Germany and Austria. Actually, a wurst is a type of minced meat sausage that is enclosed in a casing.

Also, it’s a very large part of German and Austrian cuisine!

According to German Food Guide, there are over 1,500 different kinds of wurst!

Can you believe that? Wow! 

 

15. Westphalian Ham

Westphalian is a type of ham that comes from acorn-fed pigs in Westphalia, Germany. The meat is typically dry-cured and then smoked on beechwood and juniper branches.

To help you gain a better understanding, I’ve heard people say it’s like a heavily smoked Prosciutto.

 

16. Wallenbergare

This is a Swedish dish that consists of ground veal, cream, and egg yolks, and it’s coated in breadcrumbs. People normally eat it with potatoes, peas, and a type of jam called lingonberry jam.  

 

List of Hispanic or Latin American Food That Start with W

 

1. White Sapote

Other names for this fruit are Mexican apple and casimiroa. It’s a fruit that’s typical to cuisines in eastern Mexico and all the way down south to Costa Rica.

There are typically two kinds of white sapote: ones that have green skin and white flesh and ones that have yellow skin with yellow flesh.

Also, the flesh is super smooth and creamy… like a ripe avocado.

Now, regarding the taste, people say it can taste like a banana, peach, pear, or vanilla combination.

If you’re interested in learning more about this fruit, you can read more about it here in the Los Angeles Times.

Or, you can take a look at this video below by Weird Explorer. According to them, this fruit tastes like pudding, flan, or custard and it’s “incredibly good”!!

YUM!

 

2. West Indian Cherry

The West Indian cherry goes by many names, including what you’ll see in the list below:

• Guarani cherry
• Acerola cherry
• Wild crepe myrtle
• Barbados cherry

It’s a tropical fruit that is native to Brazil, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Central America, and Southern Mexico.

These red fruits are juicy and high in Vitamin C.

Caribbean Food List of Food Beginning with W

 

1. Wrap roti

Wrap roti, or roti, is another example of food that start with W. It’s a Caribbean dish made of curried meat and/or vegetables that are wrapped tightly in dhalpuri or paratha roti.

This wrap and curry combination is popular street food in countries such as Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname.

[If you’re not already aware, roti is an unleavened flatbread from India].

 

List of African Food That Start With W

 

1. White soup

White soup is called ofe nsala in Nigeria. Traditionally, people make it with catfish, yam, and utazi leaves, which are African basil leaves.

 

2. Wat

Wat (also spelled wot) is an Ethiopian stew that people make with a variety of meats, vegetables, and spices.

Some of the meats that people commonly use in this dish are chicken, lamb, or beef.

Also, there are different types of wat, but two of the most popular kinds are doro wat and siga wat.

Doro wat is made from chicken and sometimes people like to add hard-boiled eggs. Siga wat, on the other hand, is made from beef.

 

3. Waterblommetjiebredie

Waterblommetjiebredie is a type of lamb stew from South Africa. People make it with waterblommetjie, which is a kind of edible water flower.

If you’re interested in learning more, you HAVE TO watch this video below by ExpressoRecipes! They explain it SO well and it just looks delicious!

 

List of Oceania Food Beginning With W

 

1. Wattleseed

Wattleseed is an edible seed that people cultivate and eat in Australia. In fact, aboriginal Australians have been growing and consuming these seeds for many, many years!

People either eat it cooked or they eat it mulled it into flour to make bush bread.

Interestingly, some people like to include wattleseed in their coffees, too. Have you heard of a wattlecino? You can find out about it on my 13 Hot Drinks from Around the World page.

 

List of Worldwide Drinks or Food That Start With The Letter W

 

1. Water

I think you all know what water is, am I right?

Most of us know how essential drinking water is for our survival. Some of the benefits of drinking water include it aids in digestion, carries nutrients and oxygen, protects your organs and tissues, and it also regulates body temperature (Harvard.edu).

 

2. Walnuts

Walnuts are a kind of edible nut that people in the United States normally use for dessert toppings such as ice creams and cakes. 

There are two types of walnuts: Persian (or English) and black walnut. 

Can you guess where the Persian walnut originated? It originated in Persia (in Iran). The black walnut, on the other hand, originated in North America.

However, and very interestingly, we normally eat Persian (or English) walnuts here in the United States because their shells are easier to crack and they are more flavorful, too.

 

3. Whiskey

Whiskey, which sometimes people spell whisky, is an alcoholic drink made of fermented grain mash.

Historians believe that the Babylonians may have been the original makers of whiskey during the 2nd millennium BC (however, this claim is often disputed).

 

4. Wine

Unlike whiskey, which is made from fermented grain mash, wine is an alcoholic beverage made of fermented grapes. 

Although people have been producing wine for thousands of years, the earliest recorded instance of someone making wine was in ancient Georgia.

 

Final Thoughts on Ideas for Names of Food that Start with W Around the World

Well, I hope you enjoyed this complete guide to 50+ different foods beginning with the letter W.

Did I miss any? If so, please let me know in the comments below!