Uttar Pradesh is not just the most populous state of India, but is also a paradise for foodies. The state currently has 75 districts and each district offers an array of culinary delights of different communties. These flavours are a testament of the bond build among people over shared flavours. In a push to promote this bond of flavours and local delicacies with better branding and market reach, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out a district-wise 'One District One Cuisine' list. Scroll down to read the details.



According to a PTI report, under this ‘One District-One Cuisine’ (ODOC) scheme, each of 75 districts have been assigned few signature dishes for branding, marketing and export. The government said it is aimed at promoting and marketing traditional cuisines from across the state. However, the list does not include any non-vegetarian item and it has raised a lot of eye-brows. A list shared by Awanish K Awasthi, advisor to UP CM shows products ranging from sweets to fruits to the street smart samosa, but omits the much sort after delicacies like galawati kebab, Awadhi biryani, Kakori kebab, etc.



If we go by the PTI report, several iconic non-vegetarian dishes long synonymous with the state's culinary identity, and celebrated nationally and globally, have not been mentioned in the ODOC list. Apart from Lucknow’s galouti kebabs and biryani, the list also excludes Rampur’s mutton korma and seekh kebabs, as well as Bareilly’s popular mutton preparations, along with other well-known non-vegetarian dishes.



What is One District-One Cuisine List

The programme, launched in January 2026 and inspired by the One District-One Product (ODOP) scheme, seeks to identify and promote a signature dish from each of the state’s 75 districts. Its goal include encouraging food entrepreneurship, improving hygiene standards, and building global branding.



What does the list include According to a news clipping shared by Awanish on his official X post, following dishes are included in the list.






Sultanpur – peda, samosa, kadhai puri, red peda, jalebi


Barabanki – chandrakala, red peda


Amethi – samosa, jaggery kheer, gulgula


Ambedkar Nagar – balushahi, chaat, khajla


Devipatan division (Gonda) – dahi vada


Bahraich – chamcham, kachori


Balrampur – coconut barfi, kalakand, ghamanja, chaat


Shravasti – imarti


Lucknow – revdi, mango products, chaat, malai makkhan


Agra- petha, dalmoth


Firozabad- tikki, kachori


Aligarh- dairy products and kachori


Mathura- peda and makhan mishri


Moradabad- dal dishes, handi halwa


Hardoi – aloo puri, laddoo, laozhad


Lakhimpur Kheri – banana, jaggery, khoya peda, kheer mohan, rasgulla


Raebareli – spices


Sitapur – makhan malai, samosa, mirchi pakoda, peda


Unnao – kala jamun, samosa, kushli, trilok pari


Ayodhya – chandrakala, balushahi, dahi


Zamgarh –white carrot halwa


Mahoba – date jaggery


Meerut- gajak and revdi


Prayagraj- kachori, samosa, and rasmalai


Hamirpur – bundeli dal-based preparations


Varanasi – thandai, tiranga barfi, lassi and Banarsi paan





What does the expert say?

In an statement to PTI, noted food historian Pushpesh Pant described the all-vegetarian ODOC platter as a “half baked” measure. “This seems to be a half baked move that smacks of bigotry. In short, ignorant nonsense.” Pant, however, clarified that he appreciates vegetarian cuisine as well. “I love all dishes. All I am saying is why engage in selective discrimination?”



What does the government say?

Addressing the omission of non-vegetarian dishes in the list, Cabinet minister Rakesh Sachan told The Indian Express: “It is not intentional. If recommended in the future, they can be added. The idea is not to promote individual popular items but dishes that benefit a larger population through packaging, sales, and promotion.” According to him, the list is flexible and can be upgraded based on public opinion and suggestions. “The list is flexible. The scheme has been approved by the Cabinet, but the list of cuisines can be changed any time based on local recommendations and public demand, with approval from the Chief Minister. It does not require Cabinet approval,” he said to the publication.



Images Courtesy: istock