33 Foods That Start With The Letter O

It’s no secret that there are hundreds of thousands (potentially even millions) of different foods out there in the world. One of the best ways to categorize these foods is by foods that start with the same letter. 

Despite the plethora of foods out there, the minute you try to think of foods beginning with a specific letter, you freeze. Suddenly, you can’t think of any foods at all.

So, whether you’re playing a stressful game with your friends (wherein you try to list as many foods as possible sharing the same letter) or if you’re merely curious about foods that start with O, we’ve got you covered. 

Here are 33 foods that start with the letter O!

1. Oatmeal

One of the nation’s most popular breakfast foods is oatmeal, and for good reason.

Oatmeal is made of ground hulled or steel-cuts oats, which are then added to milk to create a fibrous and filling breakfast option. 

Some of the most popular oatmeal toppings and sweeteners include fruits (typically berries or bananas), syrup, peanut butter, honey, and nuts.

You can even get instant oatmeal, which takes minutes to make.

2. Oranges

Oranges are a beloved citrus fruit known for their sweet, juicy insides and bright orange outsides.

These fruits are incredibly versatile, serving as a snack throughout the day or being included as part of a recipe. For example, the juice is often used to make cakes or even enhance stir fries. 

Oranges are a great source of vitamin C, which works to boost our immune systems.

3. Olives

Despite their distinctively salty flavor, olives are actually a stone fruit plucked from olive trees. These small fruits are typically eaten as an appetizer, snack, or cooked into other foods such as bread.

They come in three colors – green, black, and purple – which indicate the ripeness. 

Not only are olives delicious and versatile, but they’re also high in antioxidants and a great source of vitamin E.

4. Octopus

We all know the humble octopus as the eight-legged creature of the sea, but it’s also a traditional and popular food item in Korea, Japan, and Mediterranean countries.

It’s a surprisingly versatile invertebrate that can be eaten raw, grilled, or fried. 

The most popular way to eat octopus is when the tentacles are still moving, seasoned with sesame oil and salt and accompanied by a dip.

5. Oregano

Oregano is a popular aromatic herb that comes from a flowering plant native to Western Eurasia and the Mediterranean.

Its flavors are most complementary with tomato, which is why it’s so prevalent in Italian dishes such as pasta and pizza. The flavors are earthy and a lovely balance between warm and bitter. 

Aside from its culinary use, oregano has natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties that keep the immune system healthy.

6. Onion

Onions are arguably the most used vegetable in the world.

This staple vegetable is typically diced and fried as the starting point of most meals due to its intense flavor, but it can also be eaten raw in salads or even roasted. The flavor changes depending on how you cook an onion. 

There are several types of onions, including white, red, shallots, chives, leeks, and more.

7. Oreos

Oreos are one of the most moreish cookies in the world. These are American sandwich cookies consisting of two chocolate cookies sandwiched together with a créme filling.

There are multiple varieties of Oreos, including double-stuffed cookies (for those who can’t get enough of the sweet filling) and flavors such as white, red velvet, and even birthday cake.

8. Oysters

Oysters are several families of mollusks found in marine habitats. These slippery shellfish have been eaten for centuries and can be consumed raw or cooked, though raw is the most popular option.

They are typically served in a half shell and with a slice of lemon or sauce, and have a distinct salty and buttery flavor. 

Oysters are most infamously known as aphrodisiacs!

9. Oxtail

As the name suggests, oxtail is the tail of cattle. This meat is typically skinned and cut into oxtail stews, which is cooked for a long time at a low temperature to allow the meat to tenderize and fall off the bone. 

It’s a fairly beefy part of the cattle, which is why it’s an expensive cut of meat – not to mention it’s a small part of the cow!

10. Oatcakes

Somewhere between a flatbread and a cracker are oatcakes, which are just little cookie-style cakes made out of oats.

However, rather than being baked like traditional cakes, they are cooked on the griddle to make for a slightly dense version of a cracker. 

They are considered a healthy snack and can be eaten alone or with cheese and meats, just like a cracker.

11. Olive Oil

Olive oil, as the name suggests, is the fat collected from pressed olives. The extracted oil is most commonly used for culinary purposes, especially for lightly fried foods, thanks to its low smoking point.

The distinctive olive-like flavor makes it a great option as a dressing for salads. 

Olive oil is also riddled with health benefits and can be used for hair, skin, and nails.

12. Okra

Okra is a seasonal pod grown in warm subtropical climates and used in the Caribbean and Indian cuisines.

Also known as “lady’s fingers”, okra is a long, tube-like green fruit with edible white seeds inside. While it’s technically a fruit, okra is eaten as a vegetable found in stews and roasts. 

Okra is packed with nutrients and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin K, antioxidants, and fiber.

13. Onion Bhaji

Onion bhajis are a beloved Indian snack and side dish that consist of fried batter and sliced onions. This batter is typically made of gram or chickpea flour, baking powder, salt, and spices.

They are kind of like India’s version of fritters as they don’t take too long to prepare or cook. 

There are several kinds of onion bhajis, including red onion bhajis, spicy bhajis, and even mint bhajis.

14. Omelet

Another popular breakfast option is the humble omelet, which consists of beaten eggs that are fried and often cooked with a variety of fillings, including onions, peppers, ham, cheese, mushrooms, and more.

Virtually every region has their own way of cooking an omelet, because it serves as a good way to use up eggs and leftover vegetables.

15. Oblea

Oblea is a thin wafer cookie that is a traditional dessert in Spain and Latin American countries.

This cookie consists of two thin wafers that are sandwiched together with a range of fillings, including whipped cream, jam, a sugar-milk mixture called dulce le leche, and sometimes even cheese. 

These wafer cookies are also often served with chocolate, condensed milk, coconut, or marmalade to add to the sweetness.

16. Olallieberries

The olallieberry is a dark berry that is very similar to blackberries in flavor and shape.

However, the key difference between olallieberries and blackberries is that the former doesn’t have a hollow center.

So, you don’t have to worry about the berry crumbling apart as you pick it, as the olallieberry remains intact. 

Olallieberries are most commonly found in pies and jams.

17. Onigiri

Also known as omusubi, onigiri is a Japanese rice ball made from white rice that is formed into cylindrical or triangular shapes.

It is typically wrapped in seaweed called nori and filled with any salty or sour food, including salted salmon, taraka, pickled takana, pickled ume, or kombu. 

Onigiri, contrary to popular belief, is not a type of sushi, which is sushi rice made with various flavorings.

18. Olan

Olan is a type of South Indian dish that belongs in the Kerala cuisine, a state in the southern part of the country.

This is a mild curry typically made of coconut milk, black-eyed peas, and curry leaves, served on a bed of red Kerala rice. 

Olan is most commonly served as part of a Sadhya, which is a vegetarian platter served on a banana leaf.

19. Olivet Cendré

Also known as cendré d’Olivet, this is a French cheese made in Olivet, located along the Loire river.

Olivet cendré is made of cow’s milk, which is collected in spring while the cows graze on the fresh grass by the Loire. This is one of the reasons why this cheese is said to be delicious. 

The cheese is aged in ash-filled cylinders for 3 months, giving it the distinctive earthy taste and gray outer layer.

20. Okroshka

Okroshka is a Russian cold soup believed to originate in the Volga region.

This soup consists of boiled potatoes, eggs, raw vegetables (such as spring onions, radish, and cucumber), and often cooked veal, beef, sausage, or ham. 

The cooked meat (particularly ham) is mixed with kvass, a low-alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage made from fermented rye or black bread. The soup is garnished with sour cream.

21. Ogbono Soup

Ogbono soup is a Nigerian dish made of ogbono seeds, which originated in southern Nigeria.

These seeds are dried and used to thicken the soup, which otherwise consists of water, seeds, palm oil, fish or meat, vegetables, and seasonings such as chili pepper.

This is a highly versatile soup that can include beef, goat, shrimp, bush meat, crayfish, chicken, and more.

22. Oil Down

Oil down is the national dish of Grenada. This stew is made of salted meat and vegetables, consisting of dumplings, callaloo, breadfruit, salted meat, coconut milk, and herbs and spices.

The reason for the name is that the liquid has to be cooked down before it is served. 

Traditionally, oil down is served at neighborhood parties and made by the men. Each household has their own recipe.

23. Oolong

Oolong is a type of tea made from the leaves of a Camellia sinensis plant.

It is popular across the world thanks to its natural floral and fruity tones, though depending on how the tea has been made, it can be slightly grassy.

Therefore, oolong is considered the middle ground between green and black tea. It’s worth noting that oolong tea still contains caffeine.

24. Ogi

Ogi, also known as Akamu, is a popular Nigerian street food made of fermented cereal, typically maize, millet, or sorghum.

The grains are traditionally soaked in water for 3 days, and then wet-milled and sieved, leaving a distinctive sour flavor. The sourness is then combated with sugar or honey mixed into the pudding. 

Ogi is most typically consumed either at breakfast or as a dessert.

25. Orzo

Orzo might look like a type of large rice grain, but it is actually a form of short-grain pasta.

This pasta is traditionally made from flour (sometimes whole grain), and can be boiled until tender just like any other pasta or rice. 

Orzo can be served alone, in a salad, baked into a casserole, in a soup, or with any regular pasta sauce.

26. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake dish made of wheat flour batter and a variety of toppings.

Traditionally, the batter consists of butter, shredded cabbage, eggs, and protein like pork belly. It is cooked on a flat griddle called a teppan until crispy, and then served with a variety of toppings. 

Okonomiyaki is also served by street vendors in Bangkok, Taipei, Jakarta, and Manila.

27. Omurice

Another Japanese dish, omurice is a type of omelet made with fried rice and thinly scrambled eggs.

Omurice is shaped like a folded omelet, except with fried rice on the inside. It doesn’t typically come with any toppings, and instead is accompanied by a dollop of ketchup. 

Omurice is most commonly cooked at home and enjoyed by children. 

28. Olive All’ascolana

To put it simply, olive all’ascolana is a stuffed and fried olive dish that originated in Marche, though can be found all over Italy.

This appetizer and snack was originally invented by rich chefs who didn’t know what to do with leftover meat and party food, so they stuffed olives with the food and deep-fried them.

29. Oil Palm

Oil palm is a term used interchangeably with palm oil, which is an edible oil derived from the fruit of oil palm trees.

This vegetable oil can be used for culinary purposes, but is most commonly found in cosmetic products, cleaning products, and more. 

Unfortunately, oil palm is a destructive oil source on the planet as a result of deforestation.

30. Okowa

Okowa is a steamed rice dish consisting of glutinous rice and meat or vegetables, originating in Japan.

This Japanese dish is comforting and typically made when families need to use up leftover meat and vegetables. It is often cooked with wild herbs and chestnuts.

31. Opera Cake

Opera cake is a French cake consisting of thin layers of almond sponge cake, which are soaked in coffee syrup.

The layers are sandwiched together with a ganache and coffee buttercream, before the cake is covered in a chocolate glaze.

The name “opera cake” was given as a result of the layers resembling levels of an opera house. 

32. Oxheart Cherry

An oxheart cherry is a large, heart-shaped cherry that is sweet and juicy.

While they are often mistaken for cherries, there is a clear difference between the two, with regular cherries being much smaller than their oxheart counterparts.

33. Ohitashi

Ohitashi is a flavorful Japanese side dish consisting of blanched greens and a soy marinade.

The vegetables (mostly spinach) are lightly cooked and seasoned into a broth, making for a comforting and healthy side dish. 

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Turns out, there are lots more foods that start with the letter O than you might have thought.

Hopefully, this guide has taught you more about the various foods around the world that start with the letter O!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Fruits Start With O?

There are actually a lot of fruits that start with O, including:

• Oranges 
• Okra
• Olives
• Opal plum
• Oxheart cherry 
• Orient pear
• Opal apple
• Ozark gold apple
• Olallieberry 
• Osteen mango
• Oval kumquat fruit
• Otaheite gooseberry
• O’Henry peach
• Oroblanco grapefruit
• Ogeechee limes
• Oullins gage plum