Finding foods that start with X is not quite as easy as naming apples, bananas or carrots. X is one of the trickiest letters in the alphabet, especially if you are putting together a food quiz, school project, themed dinner, alphabet challenge or blog research list.

The good news is that there are more X foods than you might think. Many come from Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Indian, Catalan, Middle Eastern and African cuisines, so this list is a lovely excuse to learn about ingredients and dishes you may not see every day in a UK supermarket.

Below you will find a practical, genuinely useful guide to foods beginning with X, including what they are, where they come from, how they are eaten and, where possible, money-saving tips for trying them without spending a fortune.

Quick List of Foods That Start With X

If you just need a fast answer, here are some foods beginning with X:

• Xigua
• Xacuti
• Xiao long bao
• Xoconostle
• Xanthan gum
• Xylitol
• Xôi
• Xató
• Xnipec
• Xawaash
• Xia mi
• Xiaolongxia
• Xingren doufu
• Xidoufen
• Xerém
• Ximenia
• Xouba
• Xampinyons
• Xocolatl
• Xue hua bing

Foods That Start With X: Handy Table

1. Xigua

Xigua is the Chinese word for watermelon, so it is one of the easiest X foods to find in the UK. It has green skin, juicy red or pink flesh, and a sweet, refreshing taste.

Watermelon is best in summer when prices are usually lower and the fruit tastes better. Look for whole watermelons that feel heavy for their size, or buy pre-cut wedges if you only need a small amount. Pre-cut fruit often costs more per kilo, so a whole melon is usually better value for families.

How to use xigua

• Slice and serve chilled as a snack.
• Cube it for fruit salads.
• Blend into smoothies or ice lollies.
• Add to salads with feta-style cheese, mint and cucumber.
• Use the rind in pickles if you enjoy low-waste cooking.

2. Xacuti

Xacuti, sometimes written as shakuti, is a rich, aromatic curry from Goa. It is commonly made with chicken, lamb, prawns or vegetables, along with toasted spices, coconut and chillies.

The spice mix can include coriander seeds, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, nutmeg, chillies and poppy seeds. It tastes warm, savoury and slightly nutty rather than simply hot.

Budget tip for xacuti

If you are cooking xacuti at home, use chicken thighs instead of breast. They are usually cheaper, stay juicy and work brilliantly in curries. For a vegetarian version, potatoes, chickpeas, cauliflower or mushrooms are affordable options.

3. Xiao Long Bao

Xiao long bao are Chinese soup dumplings. They are small steamed dumplings filled with meat, usually pork, and a rich savoury broth. When cooked, the jelly-like stock inside melts into soup.

You may find xiao long bao in Chinese restaurants, dim sum spots and some Asian supermarkets in the frozen section. They are usually served with black vinegar and finely sliced ginger.

How to eat xiao long bao safely

The soup inside can be very hot. A common way to eat them is to place one on a spoon, nibble a small hole to let steam escape, sip the broth carefully, then eat the rest of the dumpling.

4. Xoconostle

Xoconostle is a sour prickly pear fruit used in Mexican cooking. Unlike the sweeter prickly pear varieties, xoconostle has a sharper flavour and is often used in sauces, stews, salsas and drinks.

It is not something you will usually find in a standard UK supermarket, but you may come across it dried, tinned or jarred from Mexican grocers or specialist online shops.

What does xoconostle taste like?

Xoconostle is tart, fruity and slightly earthy. It can add acidity to rich dishes in the same way that lime, tamarind or sour plum might do in other cuisines.

5. Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is not eaten by the spoonful, but it is still a food ingredient that starts with X. It is used as a thickener, stabiliser and binder in sauces, dressings, ice cream and gluten-free baking.

For gluten-free bakers, xanthan gum can help improve texture because it gives doughs and batters more structure. You only need a small amount, so one packet tends to last ages.

Practical uses for xanthan gum

• Thickening sauces without adding much flavour.
• Improving gluten-free bread, cakes and pastry.
• Helping salad dressings stay mixed.
• Adding body to homemade ice cream or dairy-free desserts.

Use it sparingly. Too much can make food unpleasantly gummy.

6. Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in some sugar-free chewing gums, sweets, mints and baking products. It tastes sweet but is not the same as ordinary table sugar.

One important safety note: xylitol is highly dangerous to dogs. Keep xylitol-containing products well away from pets and check labels carefully if you have a dog at home.

Can you bake with xylitol?

Some people use xylitol in baking, but it does not behave exactly like sugar in every recipe. It will not caramelise in quite the same way, and it can cause digestive discomfort for some people if eaten in large amounts. If you are trying it for the first time, start with a small recipe.

7. Xôi

Xôi is a Vietnamese sticky rice dish. It can be sweet or savoury and is often eaten for breakfast, as a snack or during celebrations.

Savoury xôi might be served with mung beans, fried shallots, shredded chicken, pork floss or sausage. Sweet versions can include coconut, sugar, beans, peanuts or fruit.

Money-saving idea

Sticky rice is filling and inexpensive when bought in larger bags from Asian supermarkets. If you cook a batch at home, you can turn leftovers into simple lunches with eggs, vegetables and chilli oil.

8. Xató

Xató is a Catalan dish made with salad leaves, cod, olives, anchovies and a sauce containing nuts, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and dried peppers. It is closely linked to the Catalonia region of Spain.

The sauce is the star. It is a little like romesco: nutty, garlicky and tangy. Traditional versions use ingredients that may not always be in the average UK cupboard, but you can make a simple budget-friendly version with roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, olive oil and vinegar.

Cheaper UK-friendly serving idea

Instead of salt cod, try xató-style salad with tinned tuna, sardines or grilled vegetables. It will not be fully traditional, but it gives you the same bold, savoury feel for less money.

9. Xnipec

Xnipec is a fiery salsa from the Yucatán region of Mexico. The name is often linked to the phrase meaning dog’s nose, a cheeky reference to how spicy it can be.

It is usually made with habanero chillies, red onion, sour orange juice and sometimes tomato or coriander. In the UK, sour orange can be hard to find, so a mix of orange juice and lime juice is a useful substitute.

How to use xnipec

• Spoon over tacos or wraps.
• Serve with grilled chicken or fish.
• Add a little to rice bowls.
• Use as a punchy dip with tortilla chips.

Habaneros are very hot, so wear gloves if you are chopping lots of them and avoid touching your eyes.

10. Xawaash

Xawaash is a Somali spice blend used to season soups, stews, rice dishes and meat. Recipes vary by household, but it often includes cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and chilli.

It is fragrant rather than harsh, with warm spice notes that work well in one-pot meals. If you already own a few basic spices, making a small jar of xawaash at home can be cheaper than buying a ready-made blend.

Easy ways to use xawaash

• Stir into lentil soup.
• Use to season chicken thighs before roasting.
• Add to rice with onions and stock.
• Mix with oil and lemon juice for a quick marinade.

11. Xia Mi

Xia mi means dried shrimp in Chinese. These tiny dried prawns or shrimp are used to add deep savoury flavour to stir-fries, broths, dumpling fillings and rice dishes.

A small bag can go a long way because the flavour is concentrated. They are usually soaked briefly before use, then chopped or added whole depending on the dish.

Storage tip

Check the packet instructions, but dried shrimp are often best kept sealed in the fridge or freezer after opening to preserve flavour and freshness.

12. Xiaolongxia

Xiaolongxia is the Mandarin word for crayfish, often associated with spicy Chinese crayfish dishes. They are particularly popular as a social food, served in big portions with bold seasonings.

In the UK, crayfish tails are sometimes available cooked and chilled or frozen. They can be added to salads, pasta, fried rice or noodle dishes.

Budget note

Crayfish can be pricier than prawns, so compare the price per kilo. Frozen prawns may be a cheaper swap in many recipes if you are mainly after a similar seafood texture.

13. Xingren Doufu

Xingren doufu, also called almond tofu, is a soft Chinese dessert. Despite the name, it is usually not tofu in the soybean sense. It is more like a delicate almond-flavoured jelly or pudding, often served chilled with fruit.

It can be made with almond milk or apricot kernel flavouring, set with agar or gelatine depending on the recipe. You may see it in Chinese dessert shops or as part of a dim sum meal.

Serving suggestion

Serve almond tofu with tinned lychees, mandarins or fruit cocktail for a simple, cooling pudding.

14. Xidoufen

Xidoufen is a Yunnan-style pea flour dish, often described as a thick soup, paste or savoury porridge. It is made from ground peas and served with seasonings such as chilli oil, garlic, coriander and pickled vegetables.

It is comforting, filling and naturally budget-minded, as pulses and pea flour are relatively inexpensive staple ingredients in many cuisines.

15. Xerém

Xerém is a dish made from coarsely ground corn. It appears in Portuguese and Cape Verdean cooking, among other food traditions. Depending on the region, it may be served like a savoury porridge or cooked with seafood, meat or beans.

If you enjoy polenta, grits or cornmeal porridge, xerém is worth knowing about. It is another good example of a simple staple ingredient becoming a hearty meal with the right seasoning.

16. Ximenia

Ximenia is a fruit from the Ximenia tree, found in parts of Africa and other warm regions. The fruit is usually tart and is used in jams, drinks or traditional preparations.

It is not a common UK shopping basket item, but it earns its place on a list of foods that start with X because it is a real edible fruit with culinary uses.

17. Xouba

Xouba is a Galician word for small sardines. These little oily fish are popular in north-west Spain and can be grilled, fried, preserved or baked into savoury pies.

For UK shoppers, the closest easy option is sardines. Tinned sardines are one of the best budget fish choices around, especially when you want something quick, filling and full of flavour.

Cheap meal idea

Mash tinned sardines with lemon juice, black pepper and a little yoghurt or mayonnaise, then pile onto toast. Add cucumber or pickled onions if you have them.

18. Xampinyons

Xampinyons is the Catalan word for mushrooms, especially button mushrooms or champignons. They may not look unusual, but they are a useful X food if you are exploring foods in different languages.

Mushrooms are excellent for budget cooking because they add savoury depth to pasta sauces, omelettes, pies, soups and stir-fries. They can also stretch mince in dishes like bolognese or chilli.

How to make mushrooms go further

• Chop finely and mix with mince.
• Roast with garlic and freeze in portions.
• Add to lentil stews for extra savouriness.
• Use stalks in stock rather than throwing them away.

19. Xocolatl

Xocolatl is an early word linked with chocolate drinks from Mesoamerica. It is often used to refer to a bitter, spiced cacao drink rather than the sweet hot chocolate many of us know now.

A modern xocolatl-style drink might include cocoa, water or milk, chilli, cinnamon and a little sweetener. It is rich, warming and less sugary than many instant hot chocolate powders.

Simple xocolatl-style drink

• Warm 250ml milk or oat drink.
• Whisk in 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon and a tiny pinch of chilli.
• Sweeten to taste with sugar, honey or syrup.

20. Xue Hua Bing

Xue hua bing is a Taiwanese shaved ice dessert. The name is often translated as snowflake ice. It is made by shaving flavoured frozen blocks into delicate ribbons, then adding toppings such as fruit, condensed milk, beans, jelly or syrup.

You may find it in Taiwanese dessert cafés. At home, a simpler version can be made with crushed ice, fruit, yoghurt or evaporated milk, though the texture will be different from the proper dessert.

More X Foods and Ingredients Worth Knowing

If you are building a longer alphabet foods list, these extra X entries may help:

• Xia: a Chinese word for shrimp or prawn, seen in dish names.
• Xiangjiao: Chinese for banana.
• Xihongshi: Chinese for tomato, often seen in tomato and egg dishes.
• Xuelihong: preserved mustard greens used in Chinese cooking.
• Xató sauce: the nut and pepper sauce served with xató salad.
• Xacuti masala: the spice blend used to make Goan xacuti curry.

Best Foods That Start With X for UK Shoppers

Some foods beginning with X are much easier to find than others. If you want realistic options without hunting through lots of specialist shops, start with these:

• Xigua: buy watermelon from most supermarkets in summer.
• Xanthan gum: often available in the baking or free-from section.
• Xylitol: found in some sweeteners, chewing gum and sugar-free products.
• Xiao long bao: check Asian supermarkets and restaurant menus.
• Xôi ingredients: sticky rice, mung beans and coconut are usually available from Asian food shops.
• Xacuti: make at home with supermarket spices, coconut and chicken or vegetables.

Money-Saving Tips for Trying X Foods

Some X foods are specialist ingredients, and specialist can mean expensive if you are not careful. Here are a few ways to keep costs down:

• Shop by cuisine, not trend. Asian, Mexican, Indian and African grocers often sell core ingredients at better prices than fancy online gift shops.
• Buy small first. If you have never used xanthan gum, xoconostle or xawaash, try a small pack before committing to a big one.
• Use substitutes sensibly. Sour orange can be replaced with orange and lime juice for xnipec. Prawns can stand in for crayfish in many home recipes.
• Choose dried and frozen. Dried shrimp, frozen dumplings and frozen seafood can reduce waste because you only use what you need.
• Build around cheap staples. Rice, lentils, potatoes, chickpeas and noodles are great bases for experimenting with new flavours.

FAQs About Foods That Start With X

What is a common food that starts with X?

Xigua is one of the most common foods that starts with X. It is the Chinese word for watermelon, which is easy to find in UK supermarkets, especially during the warmer months.

What fruit starts with X?

Fruits that start with X include xigua, which means watermelon, xoconostle, a sour cactus fruit used in Mexican cooking, and ximenia, a tart fruit used in some traditional foods and drinks.

What dessert starts with X?

Xingren doufu, or almond tofu, is a Chinese dessert with a soft jelly-like texture. Xue hua bing, Taiwanese snowflake shaved ice, is another dessert that starts with X.

What savoury food starts with X?

Savoury X foods include xacuti, a Goan curry, xiao long bao, Chinese soup dumplings, xôi, Vietnamese sticky rice, and xató, a Catalan salad with a nutty sauce.

Is xanthan gum a food?

Xanthan gum is a food ingredient rather than a dish. It is used in small amounts to thicken, bind and stabilise foods, particularly in gluten-free baking and sauces.

Are there any British foods that start with X?

There are very few traditional British foods beginning with X. Most foods that start with X come from other languages or cuisines, which is why lists like this often include Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Spanish, Vietnamese and African foods.

What is the easiest X food to try?

The easiest X food to try is probably xigua, as it is simply watermelon. If you want something more adventurous, look for frozen xiao long bao in an Asian supermarket or try making a simple xacuti curry at home.

What food beginning with X is good for a quiz?

Xoconostle, xiao long bao, xacuti and xigua are all good quiz answers because they are distinctive and genuinely food-related.