For millions of word puzzle enthusiasts, the daily ritual of solving the New York Times’ Wordle has become as essential as that first cup of coffee. On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the game’s 1,669th puzzle delivered a savory twist: the answer was "GUMBO." According to multiple outlets, including Parade, CNET, and The New York Times itself, this five-letter word stumped and delighted players worldwide, blending the challenge of wordplay with a taste of culinary culture.
Wordle, which began as a simple guessing game created by software engineer Josh Wardle in October 2021, has since become a global phenomenon. Players are tasked with deducing a single five-letter word each day, using six guesses and the game’s signature color-coded clues. The New York Times, which acquired the game in early 2022, reported that Wordle had been played 5.3 billion times in 2024 alone, a testament to its enduring popularity (CNET).
So what made January 13’s puzzle particularly intriguing? For starters, "GUMBO" isn’t just any word—it’s the official state dish of Louisiana, a spicy Cajun stew known for its rich blend of ingredients and flavors. As CNET described, it’s a "spicy Cajun stew popular in New Orleans." The word itself contains two vowels, begins with the letter G, and ends with O. Importantly, there are no repeated letters, making it both approachable and deceptively tricky for players accustomed to more common letter patterns.
Hints offered by various news sites tried to nudge players in the right direction without giving the answer away. Parade teased, "There are two vowels in today’s five-letter word," and added, "It starts with a consonant." Rock Paper Shotgun noted that the word is a "famous dish," and emphasized, "Today's Wordle word contains 2 vowels," with "five unique letters." For those still scratching their heads, synonyms like "medley" and "jumble" were floated as clues, hinting at the word’s culinary and metaphorical roots.
Players who persevered (or peeked at the answer) learned that "GUMBO" is not just a food but also a word with a vivid backstory. As The New York Times explained, the term refers to "a soup thickened with unripe okra pods, usually made with tomatoes, vegetables, and chicken, ham, or seafood." The dish embodies the spirit of New Orleans, where diverse cultures and culinary traditions have simmered together for centuries. For many, discovering this flavorful word at the end of their puzzle was a pleasant surprise—perhaps even a prompt to try making gumbo for themselves.
The puzzle’s difficulty level was described as "moderately challenging," with testers averaging 4.8 guesses out of 6 to solve it (The New York Times). That’s a notch above the average, suggesting that while "GUMBO" is a familiar term to some, it’s not necessarily top-of-mind for everyone—especially those outside the United States or unfamiliar with Southern cuisine.
Of course, part of Wordle’s enduring appeal is its universal accessibility. The game is free to play on the NYT’s website and apps, as well as on Meta Quest headsets and Discord (CNET). Each day, players around the world face the same word, fostering a sense of community and friendly competition. After guessing, many share their results using the game’s clever emoji-based grid, which reveals their progress without spoiling the answer. As Rock Paper Shotgun pointed out, "Wordle has a built-in method of sharing your results in a spoiler-free way." This social aspect has helped Wordle maintain its viral momentum long after its initial surge.
For those who crave more than just one daily puzzle, the New York Times offers a paid archive of over 1,600 previous Wordle games and access to the Wordle Bot, a tool that analyzes each day’s performance (CNET). This has allowed both newcomers and seasoned solvers to refine their strategies, debate the best starting words ("CRANE" is often cited as a favorite), and track their win streaks with pride.
January 13’s puzzle followed a string of eclectic answers that week: "TRIAL" on January 12, "QUARK" on January 11, "MANIC" on January 10, "EIGHT" on January 9, and "BLAST" on January 8 (CNET). Each word presents its own unique set of challenges, keeping the game fresh and unpredictable. As Parade noted, "The daily word is the same for everyone," but the path to the solution is different for each player, shaped by their vocabulary, intuition, and sometimes a bit of luck.
Wordle’s cultural impact has extended well beyond its digital borders. The game has inspired countless clones and spin-offs, from Connections and Strands to Mini Crossword and even themed editions like Connections Sports Edition. Its simple mechanics and daily cadence have made it a fixture in the routines of word lovers, puzzle fans, and anyone seeking a brief, satisfying mental challenge. As one Parade columnist confessed, "The day just isn’t complete until I’ve solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. And, of course, I can’t forget about Wordle, too!"
Behind the scenes, the New York Times has occasionally exercised editorial judgment over which words make the cut. As Rock Paper Shotgun recounted, words deemed too obscure or politically charged have been swapped out, ensuring that the puzzle remains accessible and appropriate for a broad audience. Yet, the core of the game remains unchanged: a simple, communal exercise in logic, language, and discovery.
For those who missed "GUMBO" or found it a bit spicy, there’s always another Wordle waiting at midnight. As the game’s legion of fans knows, tomorrow brings a new word, a fresh challenge, and another chance to test their wits against the world. And who knows? The next answer might just be lurking in your pantry—or your imagination.