Food names starting with “ne,” categorized by character count
Do you have any words that immediately come to mind that start with “ne”? In word games like crosswords or shiritori, words beginning with “ne” seem few and rather tricky.
Here, we’ll introduce a curated list limited specifically to food names that start with “ne.” They’re organized by character count, so you’re sure to find something useful for the right situation.
Some entries may even make you think, “I didn’t know that was a food name!” Add these to your knowledge and try using them in word games!
2 characters (1–10)
screw
It’s a local dish from Chichibu in Saitama, and its name comes from the way it’s twisted when made.
People who don’t know the dish will probably picture a hardware screw, so I can already hear the jokes about it not being food.
green onion
It’s a classic condiment that everyone knows.
It might be interesting to expand on it by exploring different types of green onions and dishes that use them.
3 characters (1–10)
negima (skewers alternating chicken and scallion; also, a portmanteau name for green onion “negi” and tuna “maguro” in sushi contexts)
While yakitori typically evokes the image of skewers with chicken and scallions, the name actually comes from dishes like negima-nabe and negima-jiru, which use scallions and tuna.
Nezushi
This is a local dish cherished as a New Year’s food in Hida, Gifu Prefecture.
Its name comes from the idea of “letting it rest,” reflecting the food culture of Hida.
4 letters (1–10)
Negitoro
It’s also a classic item used as a filling for sushi rolls and as a topping for rice bowls.
The name is said to come not from using green onions and fatty tuna, but from ‘negi-toru,’ meaning to scrape the tuna meat from the bones.
ne-kombu (root kelp)
This ingredient is made by cutting out the root part of kelp, known for its strong stickiness.
Rather than being used for stock like other parts, it’s more commonly used directly in cooking.
nerikiri (nerikiri)
Among wagashi, this confection is often regarded as a quintessential example of jōnamagashi (high-grade fresh sweets).
It’s a kind of “edible art” that lets you enjoy the beauty of color gradients and forms.
Negiyaki (green onion pancake)
It’s a dish said to be the origin of okonomiyaki—popular mainly in the Kinki region—that uses green onions instead of cabbage.
Ground sesame paste (nerigoma)
Sesame that’s ground into a smooth paste is a seasoning whose appeal lies in the rich depth of flavor it adds when incorporated into sauces and dressings.
navel orange
It’s a type of orange that’s strongly associated with being imported from overseas, but it’s also produced domestically.
Its name comes from the “navel,” and it’s characterized by a dimple at the base.