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

Hi readers, today I am here with a new post about food names starting with “I”. From Indian “Idli” to Korean rice cake(Injeolmi) here are 100 food names. From international favorites to hidden gems, here are a variety of dishes, ingredients, and treats that you may have never heard of or tasted before. Let’s explore the list and comment on which one is your favorite.

1. Ice cream

2. Ice cream cake

3. Ice cream sandwich

4. Ice plant (vegetable)

5. Ice pops

6. Ice wine

7. Iceberg lettuce

8. Iceberg slaw

9. Icebox cake

10. Iced bun

11. Iced buns

12. Iced coffee

13. Iced doughnut

14. Iced lattes

15. Iced mocha

16. Iced tea

17. Iced vovo (Australian biscuit)

18. Ichiban dashi (Japanese soup stock)

19. Ichigo daifuku (strawberry rice cake)

20. Icicle radish

21. Icing

22. Icy pole (Australian ice pop)

23. Idiyappam (rice noodles)

24. Idli (South Indian rice cake)

25. Idli podi (spice mix)

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
1	Ice cream	Dessert	Global	Frozen treat	Sweet, creamy	No	A universally loved frozen dessert made from dairy or non-dairy milk.
2	Ice cream cake	Dessert	USA	Celebration cake	Sweet, creamy	No	Combines cake layers with ice cream for birthdays and parties.
3	Ice cream sandwich	Snack/Dessert	USA	Frozen snack	Sweet	No	Ice cream between soft cookies or wafers.
4	Ice plant (vegetable)	Vegetable	South Africa	Salads, garnish	Slightly salty	Yes	Its leaves sparkle due to water vesicles.
5	Ice pops	Frozen treat	USA	Frozen dessert	Fruity, sweet	Yes	Also known as popsicles or icy poles in different regions.
6	Ice wine	Drink (Wine)	Germany/Canada	Dessert wine	Very sweet	No	Made from naturally frozen grapes, very rich in flavor.
7	Iceberg lettuce	Vegetable	USA	Salads	Mild, crisp	Yes	Known for its crunch and water content.
8	Iceberg slaw	Salad	USA	Side dish	Crisp, tangy	Yes	Coleslaw made using iceberg lettuce instead of cabbage.
9	Icebox cake	Dessert	USA	Chilled dessert	Sweet, creamy	No	Made by layering cookies and whipped cream, then chilled.
10	Iced bun	Pastry	UK	Snack	Sweet	No	A soft bun topped with a thick layer of icing.
11	Iced buns	Pastry	UK	Snack	Sweet	No	Plural of iced bun, often seen in bakeries in the UK.
12	Iced coffee	Beverage	Global	Drink	Sweet, bitter	No	Coffee served over ice, often sweetened or with milk.
13	Iced doughnut	Dessert	USA	Snack	Sweet	No	Doughnut topped with flavored icing, sometimes with sprinkles.
14	Iced lattes	Beverage	Italy/Global	Cold coffee	Sweet, milky	No	Espresso with cold milk and ice—refreshing and energizing.
15	Iced mocha	Beverage	USA	Cold drink	Chocolatey, coffee	No	A sweet coffee beverage made with chocolate syrup and milk.
16	Iced tea	Beverage	USA	Drink	Refreshing, sweet or unsweetened	Yes	Chilled tea, often flavored with lemon or fruits.
17	Iced vovo (Australian biscuit)	Snack	Australia	Tea-time snack	Sweet	No	Classic biscuit topped with pink icing and coconut.
18	Ichiban dashi (Japanese soup stock)	Broth	Japan	Soup base	Umami-rich	No	Made from kombu and bonito flakes—foundation of many Japanese soups.
19	Ichigo daifuku (strawberry rice cake)	Dessert	Japan	Sweet	Sweet, fruity	No	Mochi filled with red bean paste and a whole strawberry inside.
20	Icicle radish	Vegetable	Asia	Salads, pickles	Spicy, crisp	Yes	Long, white radishes often used in Asian cuisine.
21	Icing	Confection	Global	Cake decorating	Sweet	Varies	Sweet coating for cakes and cookies, made from sugar and water or cream.
22	Icy pole (Australian ice pop)	Frozen treat	Australia	Dessert	Fruity, cold	Yes	Australian term for popsicle—popular on hot days.
23	Idiyappam (rice noodles)	Dish	South India/Sri Lanka	Breakfast, dinner	Neutral	Yes	Also called string hoppers—served with curry or coconut milk.
24	Idli (South Indian rice cake)	Breakfast	India	Breakfast dish	Neutral, fluffy	Yes	Steamed savory cakes made from rice and lentils.
25	Idli podi (spice mix)	Spice	India	Condiment	Spicy, nutty	Yes	Served with idli and dosas, often mixed with oil or ghee.

26. Igname (a type of yam)

27. Ika mata (raw fish)

28. Ikan bakar (grilled fish)

29. Ikan bilis (dried anchovies)

30. Ikizukuri (live sashimi)

31. Ikura (salmon roe)

32. Ilama (a tropical fruit)

33. Ile flottante (floating islands dessert)

34. Iles flottantes

35. Imam bayildi (stuffed eggplant)

36. Imarti (Indian sweet)

37. Imitation crab

38. Imperial mandarin

39. Imperial rolls

40. Impossible burger (plant-based meat)

41. Inarizushi (sushi in tofu pockets)

42. Inca berries

43. Incaberries

44. Indian curry

45. Indian fig

46. Indian mango

47. Indian paneer

48. Indomie (brand of instant noodles)

49. Indonesian fried rice

50. Inihaw (Filipino BBQ)

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
26	Igname (a type of yam)	Root Vegetable	West Africa	Boiled, stews	Starchy	Yes	Often mistaken for sweet potatoes, igname is a true yam used in many African dishes.
27	Ika mata (raw fish)	Seafood Dish	Cook Islands	Appetizer	Citrusy, creamy	No	This Polynesian ceviche is made with raw fish marinated in coconut milk and lime.
28	Ikan bakar (grilled fish)	Main Course	Indonesia	Grilled entrée	Spicy, smoky	No	Charcoal-grilled fish marinated in sambal sauce, common in Indonesian street food.
29	Ikan bilis (dried anchovies)	Fish	Malaysia	Snack, condiment	Salty, umami	No	Often used in nasi lemak and sambal dishes for an intense flavor boost.
30	Ikizukuri (live sashimi)	Sashimi	Japan	Specialty dish	Delicate	No	A controversial dish served fresh and alive—common in high-end sushi restaurants.
31	Ikura (salmon roe)	Seafood	Japan	Sushi topping	Briny, rich	No	Bright orange fish eggs that burst with flavor—popular in sushi and donburi.
32	Ilama (a tropical fruit)	Fruit	Central America	Raw, desserts	Sweet, creamy	Yes	This rare fruit resembles cherimoya and is often eaten fresh with lime juice.
33	Ile flottante (floating islands dessert)	Dessert	France	Dessert	Sweet, eggy	No	Poached meringue floating on a pool of vanilla custard, topped with caramel.
34	Iles flottantes	Dessert	France	Dessert	Light, creamy	No	Another name for “île flottante,” a delicate French meringue dessert.
35	Imam bayildi (stuffed eggplant)	Main Dish	Turkey	Vegetarian entrée	Savory, rich	Yes	A Turkish dish of eggplant stuffed with onions and tomatoes, simmered in olive oil.
36	Imarti (Indian sweet)	Dessert	India	Festival treat	Syrupy, crispy	No	Deep-fried sweet made of urad dal batter and soaked in sugar syrup.
37	Imitation crab	Seafood Substitute	Japan	Sushi, salads	Sweet, savory	No	Made from surimi (fish paste), it’s commonly used in California rolls.
38	Imperial mandarin	Fruit	Australia	Snacking	Sweet, tangy	Yes	Small, juicy citrus variety known for its easy peel and refreshing taste.
39	Imperial rolls	Appetizer	Vietnam	Starter, snack	Savory, crisp	No	Similar to spring rolls, usually filled with pork, shrimp, and vegetables.
40	Impossible burger (plant-based meat)	Meat Substitute	USA	Burgers	Savory	Yes	Plant-based burger with a texture and flavor close to beef—made using heme.
41	Inarizushi (sushi in tofu pockets)	Sushi	Japan	Snack, bento	Sweet, vinegary	Yes	Sweet tofu pouches filled with vinegared rice—often found in lunch boxes.
42	Inca berries	Berry	South America	Snacks, baking	Tart, sweet	Yes	Also called golden berries—nutrient-dense with a tangy flavor.
43	Incaberries	Berry	Peru	Trail mix, desserts	Sweet-tart	Yes	Another name for Inca berries—rich in antioxidants and often eaten dried.
44	Indian curry	Main Dish	India	Main course	Spicy, rich	Varies	A general term for a wide variety of spiced Indian gravies or stews.
45	Indian fig	Fruit	India	Raw, juices	Sweet	Yes	Also known as prickly pear—its cactus-like pads are edible too.
46	Indian mango	Fruit	India	Snacks, chutneys	Sweet, aromatic	Yes	Renowned for varieties like Alphonso—juicy and fragrant summer fruits.
47	Indian paneer	Cheese	India	Main dish, curries	Mild, milky	No	A fresh cheese that holds shape while cooking—key to dishes like palak paneer.
48	Indomie (brand of instant noodles)	Instant Noodles	Indonesia	Snack, quick meal	Savory	No	Hugely popular globally—especially the “Mi Goreng” dry noodle variety.
49	Indonesian fried rice	Rice Dish	Indonesia	Main dish	Spicy, savory	No	Known as “Nasi Goreng”—a national dish made with kecap manis and eggs.
50	Inihaw (Filipino BBQ)	Grilled Dish	Philippines	Street food	Sweet, smoky	No	Popular grilled meat skewers often marinated in soy and calamansi.

51. Injeolmi (Korean rice cake)

52. Injera (Ethiopian flatbread)

53. Injera bread

54. Ink squid pasta

55. Instant coffee

56. Instant mashed potatoes

57. Instant noodles

58. Instant oatmeal

59. Instant pudding

60. Instant ramen

61. Intermezzo (palate cleanser)

62. Irish bacon

63. Irish butter

64. Irish coffee

65. Irish cream

66. Irish lamb stew

67. Irish moss

68. Irish oatmeal

69. Irish soda bread

70. Irish stew

71. Irish whiskey

72. Iron-fortified cereals

73. Ironweed (edible in some cultures)

74. Isaw (Filipino street food)

75. Iskender kebab

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
51	Injeolmi (Korean rice cake)	Dessert	Korea	Snack, dessert	Chewy, nutty	Yes	Made from glutinous rice flour and coated in roasted soybean powder.
52	Injera (Ethiopian flatbread)	Bread	Ethiopia	Main, side	Sour, spongy	Yes	A fermented flatbread made with teff flour, used to scoop up stews.
53	Injera bread	Bread	Ethiopia	Side, base	Tangy, spongy	Yes	Same as injera—an essential part of Ethiopian cuisine.
54	Ink squid pasta	Pasta	Italy	Main dish	Briny, umami	No	Pasta infused or topped with black squid ink for a rich ocean flavor.
55	Instant coffee	Beverage	Global	Hot drink	Bitter, strong	Yes	Dehydrated brewed coffee, perfect for quick preparation.
56	Instant mashed potatoes	Side dish	USA	Quick meal	Buttery, smooth	Yes	Powdered form of mashed potatoes, reconstituted with water or milk.
57	Instant noodles	Snack/Meal	Japan	Quick meal	Savory	No	Convenient dried noodles served with flavor packets—popular worldwide.
58	Instant oatmeal	Breakfast	USA	Quick breakfast	Slightly sweet	Yes	Oats pre-cooked and dried for fast cooking—often comes in flavored packets.
59	Instant pudding	Dessert	USA	Quick dessert	Sweet, creamy	No	Easy-to-make pudding mix—just add milk and stir.
60	Instant ramen	Noodles	Japan	Quick meal	Umami, salty	No	Packaged ramen popular for fast, budget-friendly meals.
61	Intermezzo (palate cleanser)	Course	Italy/France	Between meals	Refreshing	Yes	Usually a sorbet or light bite served between courses to refresh the palate.
62	Irish bacon	Meat	Ireland	Breakfast	Salty, tender	No	Lean cut from the back of the pig, unlike American streaky bacon.
63	Irish butter	Dairy	Ireland	Spread, cooking	Creamy, rich	No	Known for its golden color and high butterfat content.
64	Irish coffee	Beverage	Ireland	After-dinner drink	Bitter-sweet	No	Coffee mixed with whiskey and sugar, topped with cream.
65	Irish cream	Liqueur	Ireland	Drink, dessert ingredient	Creamy, sweet	No	A blend of cream, cocoa, and Irish whiskey—famous in cocktails and coffee.
66	Irish lamb stew	Stew	Ireland	Main course	Hearty, savory	No	Traditional stew with lamb, potatoes, carrots, and herbs.
67	Irish moss	Seaweed	Caribbean	Drink, thickener	Neutral	Yes	Used in Jamaican health drinks and as a thickening agent in food.
68	Irish oatmeal	Breakfast	Ireland	Hot cereal	Nutty	Yes	Also called steel-cut oats—chewier and heartier than rolled oats.
69	Irish soda bread	Bread	Ireland	Side, snack	Tangy, dense	Yes	Leavened with baking soda instead of yeast—often includes raisins.
70	Irish stew	Stew	Ireland	Main course	Savory	No	Classic dish made with lamb or beef, potatoes, and root vegetables.
71	Irish whiskey	Alcohol	Ireland	Sipping, cocktails	Smoky, smooth	No	Triple-distilled whiskey known for its smoothness and lightness.
72	Iron-fortified cereals	Breakfast	Global	Breakfast	Varied	Yes	Designed to combat iron deficiency, especially for children and women.
73	Ironweed (edible in some cultures)	Green/Herb	Asia	Medicinal, salads	Bitter	Yes	Used in folk medicine and sometimes as a bitter green in diets.
74	Isaw (Filipino street food)	Meat	Philippines	Street food	Char-grilled	No	Grilled chicken or pork intestines on skewers—popular Filipino street snack.
75	Iskender kebab	Main Dish	Turkey	Main dish	Spicy, buttery	No	Thinly sliced doner kebab meat over pita bread, topped with tomato sauce and yogurt.

76. Israeli chocolate

77. Israeli couscous

78. Israeli orange

79. Israeli salad

80. Itak (Filipino fish)

81. Italian beef

82. Italian biscotti

83. Italian bread

84. Italian cheese

85. Italian dressing

86. Italian herbs

87. Italian meatballs

88. Italian plum

89. Italian polenta

90. Italian sausage

91. Italian sorbetto

92. Italian sub

93. Italian truffle

94. Italian wedding soup

95. Itlog na maalat (salted eggs)

96. Itoen green tea

97. Ivar (a type of fish)

98. Iwashi (sardines)

99. Izgara köfte (Turkish meatballs)

100. Izzio bread

No	Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
76	Israeli chocolate	Confectionery	Israel	Snack, dessert	Sweet	No	Known for its rich cocoa content and childhood nostalgia across Israel.
77	Israeli couscous	Grain/Pasta	Israel	Side dish	Nutty, chewy	Yes	Also known as pearl couscous—larger than traditional couscous.
78	Israeli orange	Fruit	Israel	Juice, snack	Sweet, citrusy	Yes	A variety of Jaffa orange, famous for export and sweetness.
79	Israeli salad	Salad	Israel	Side dish	Fresh, tangy	Yes	Diced cucumber and tomato salad with olive oil and lemon dressing.
80	Itak (Filipino fish)	Fish	Philippines	Grilled, fried	Savory	No	Local name for a variety of reef fish used in Filipino coastal dishes.
81	Italian beef	Meat	Italy/USA	Sandwich filling	Spiced, savory	No	Popular in Chicago, thin-sliced beef simmered in seasoned broth.
82	Italian biscotti	Cookie	Italy	Dessert, snack	Crunchy, sweet	No	Twice-baked almond biscuits traditionally dipped in coffee or wine.
83	Italian bread	Bread	Italy	Side, sandwich	Crusty, airy	Yes	Includes varieties like ciabatta and focaccia—perfect with olive oil.
84	Italian cheese	Dairy	Italy	Cooking, topping	Varied	No	Includes Parmesan, mozzarella, ricotta, and gorgonzola among others.
85	Italian dressing	Dressing	USA (Italian-style)	Salads	Herby, tangy	Yes	Oil-based vinaigrette with herbs, garlic, and lemon or vinegar.
86	Italian herbs	Herb blend	Italy	Seasoning	Herbal, earthy	Yes	Mix of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary commonly used in Italian cuisine.
87	Italian meatballs	Meat	Italy	Main, pasta topping	Savory, spiced	No	Ground meat balls cooked in sauce—often served with spaghetti.
88	Italian plum	Fruit	Italy	Eating, baking	Sweet-tart	Yes	Small, oval-shaped plums often used in preserves and desserts.
89	Italian polenta	Grain dish	Italy	Side, base	Earthy	Yes	Cornmeal-based dish that can be creamy or set and grilled.
90	Italian sausage	Meat	Italy	Main, pizza topping	Spiced, savory	No	Often flavored with fennel or garlic and used in pasta dishes.
91	Italian sorbetto	Dessert	Italy	Dessert	Fruity, icy	Yes	Frozen dessert made with fruit purée and sugar—dairy-free.
92	Italian sub	Sandwich	USA (Italian-style)	Snack, lunch	Meaty, tangy	No	Hoagie filled with Italian meats, cheese, lettuce, and dressing.
93	Italian truffle	Fungus	Italy	Garnish, flavoring	Earthy, pungent	Yes	Highly prized fungus used sparingly to elevate fine dishes.
94	Italian wedding soup	Soup	Italy	Starter, meal	Savory, hearty	No	Brothy soup with meatballs, greens, and pasta.
95	Itlog na maalat (salted eggs)	Egg	Philippines	Side, salad	Salty	No	Preserved duck eggs dyed red and used in Filipino salads or meals.
96	Itoen green tea	Drink	Japan	Beverage	Earthy, light	Yes	Popular Japanese bottled tea brand known for unsweetened options.
97	Ivar (a type of fish)	Fish	Norway	Grilled, poached	Mild	No	Locally enjoyed white fish similar to cod or haddock.
98	Iwashi (sardines)	Fish	Japan	Grilled, stewed	Oily, salty	No	Popular small fish served fresh or dried in Japanese cuisine.
99	Izgara köfte (Turkish meatballs)	Meat	Turkey	Main dish	Spiced, grilled	No	Grilled meat patties seasoned with regional spices and herbs.
100	Izzio bread	Bread	USA	Sandwiches, toast	Crusty, soft	Yes	Artisan sourdough-style bread brand known for slow fermentation.