The growth of Lactobacillus casei in milk was enhanced by adding yams. Addition of 1% yam(raw or dry) promoted the cell growth and acid production in fermented milk. The milk containing 1% yams formed the complete curd by lactic acid fermentation at 37oC for 19hr while the milk without yams showed the incomplete curd formation. The crude mucilage extracted from a raw yam also enhanced the cell growth as well as the acid production. Addition of mucilage(0.08%) showed the similar effects with adding heat treated yam(1%). The milk fermented by adding various yams showed the high scores for sensory evaluation comparing with the milk fermented without yams. The fermenting ability of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus kefir and Leuconostoc mesenteroides was evaluated by adding 1% of a dry yam in milk. A dry yam also enhanced the cell growth of L. acidophilus resulting in the high acid production. The viable cell counts of L. casei, L. acidophilus and Leuc. mesenteroides except L. kefir were increased by adding 1% of a dry yam.