The identification of metabolic alterations in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is useful in elucidating pathophysiology and classifying high-risk individuals. In the present study, we prospectively examined the associations between serum metabolites and the risk of T2D in a Korean community-based cohort (Ansan-Ansung cohort). In addition, we tried to identify possible associations between blood metabolites and habitual food consumption. Targeted metabolomics (186 metabolites) of fasting plasma samples including acylcarnitines, amino acids, amines, and phospholipids was performed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and flow injection analysis-tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS). During the follow-up period of 8 years, we identified 282 cases of incident T2D. Of all the metabolites measured, 22 metabolites were significantly associated with T2D risk after correction for multiple testing (FDR p<0.05). Specifically, serum alanine, isoleucine, proline, tyrosine, valine and phosphatidylcholine diacyl (C32:1, C34:1, C36:1, C42:5, C40:5) were significantly positively associated with T2D risk after adjusting for age, sex, energy intake, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, drinking, income, education and hypertension. In contrast, lyso-phosphatidylcholine acyl C17:0, C18:2 and other glycerophospholipids were significantly inversely related to T2D risk after the same adjustment. They were further correlated with T2D relevant risk factors such as index for insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity. In addition, consumption of vegetable was associated with favorable metabolic patterns (broad range of glycerophospholid) in this population. Our results indicate that metabolic alterations, including amino acids, and phospholipids are associated with the risk of T2D in Korean adults.