X Marks the Menu: 35 Foods That Start with X

Here’s a handy list of foods (and a few drinks/ingredients) that start with X, with quick notes so you know what each one is:

Fruits & Plants

Xigua — What many call watermelon (from the Mandarin word xīguā).
Xoconostle — Tart prickly pear cactus fruit used in Mexican salsas and stews.
Ximenia — Also called sour plum; a tangy, aromatic fruit from tropical regions.
Xylocarp — A hard, woody fruit like coconut; used in botany, but you’ll see it in food contexts.

Dishes & Prepared Foods

Xacuti (Xaguti) — Rich Goan curry (India) with toasted spices, coconut, and chilies; popular with chicken or lamb.
Xiao Long Bao — Chinese soup dumplings with a delicate skin and hot broth inside.
Xia Mi — Dried tiny shrimp used to boost umami in Chinese cooking.
Xidoufen — Yunnan (China) pea-flour soup, thick and savory with chili and herbs.
Xôi — Vietnamese sticky rice, sweet or savory (think mung beans, peanuts, or shredded chicken).
Xingren Doufu — “Almond tofu,” a silky almond jelly dessert from China (usually dairy-free).
Xiphias (Swordfish) — Menu shorthand sometimes seen in upscale spots; meaty fish great for grilling.
Xouba — Small sardines from Galicia, Spain; often canned in olive oil or served fresh.
Xató — Catalan salad with endive, tuna, anchovies, and romesco sauce.
Xerém — Portuguese/Cape Verdean savory cornmeal dish (like a rustic polenta); in Brazil, often with shrimp (xerém de camarão).
Xingren Cha — Almond “tea” or drink served warm; soothing and lightly sweet.
Xurros (Churros, Catalan spelling) — Fried dough sticks dusted with sugar; dipped in thick hot chocolate.
Xiphias Souvlaki — Greek-style skewered swordfish (you’ll sometimes see the Latin name used on menus).

Breads, Grains & Snacks

Xatzópiroga — Regional name for a rustic pie/pastry in parts of the Mediterranean (varies by locale).
Xiang Bing — Chinese crispy stuffed flatbreads (fillings vary; scallions, pork, or greens).
Xiang Mian — Literally “fragrant noodles” in Chinese; a family of spiced noodle dishes.

Sauces, Spices & Ingredients

Xnipec — Fiery Yucatecan salsa with habanero and citrus; name roughly means “dog’s nose” (it’s that nose-tingling hot).
Xo Sauce — Luxe Hong Kong condiment with dried seafood, ham, chili, and aromatics; umami bomb for noodles or fried rice.
Xylitol — A birch/corn–derived sweetener used in sugar-free gums and some baking.
Xanthan Gum — A gluten-free thickener for sauces, dressings, and baking.
Xeres Vinegar — Sherry vinegar (older spellings), tangy and complex; great for dressings and pan sauces.
Xocolatl — Nahuatl term for early Mesoamerican chocolate drinks; today used for chocolate products that nod to those roots.

Beverages

Xalapa Punch — Classic American punch with rum/brandy, tea, citrus, and spice.
Xingren Nai Cha — Almond milk tea; lightly nutty, often served chilled.
Xingu — Brazilian black beer (stout-like) sometimes featured in food pairings.

Regional/Prefix Dishes (start with “Xin-” or similar but commonly treated as “X” foods)

Xinjiang Lamb Skewers — Cumin-chili grilled lamb from China’s northwest; street-food favorite.
Xiamen Peanut Soup — Fujian dessert soup that’s sweet, creamy, and peanut-forward.
Xo Fried Rice / Xo Noodles — Any fried rice/noodle dish tossed with XO sauce (menu shorthand is common).

Here’s a handy list of foods (and a few drinks/ingredients) that start with X, with quick notes so you know what each one is: Fruits & Plants Dishes & Prepared Foods Breads, Grains & Snacks Sauces, Spices & Ingredients Beverages Regional/Prefix Dishes (start with “Xin-” or similar but commonly treated as “X” foods)