Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, is renowned not only for its demographics but also for its diverse culinary heritage. With 75 districts, each offers a unique array of traditional dishes that reflect the region's cultural fabric. In a bid to promote local delicacies and enhance their market reach, the state government has introduced the 'One District One Cuisine' (ODOC) scheme. This initiative assigns signature dishes to each district for branding, marketing, and export purposes. However, the list has sparked controversy as it excludes non-vegetarian items, many of which are iconic to the state's culinary identity.
What is the One District-One Cuisine Scheme?
Launched in January 2026, the ODOC scheme is inspired by the successful 'One District-One Product' (ODOP) initiative. Its objectives include encouraging food entrepreneurship, improving hygiene standards, and building global branding for local cuisines. Each of the 75 districts has been assigned a few signature dishes, ranging from sweets to street foods, but notably absent are celebrated non-vegetarian delicacies.
Dishes Included in the List
According to a list shared by Awanish K Awasthi, advisor to the UP Chief Minister, the following dishes are included:
- 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, kachori
- Mathura – peda, 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, revdi
- Prayagraj – kachori, samosa, rasmalai
- Hamirpur – bundeli dal-based preparations
- Varanasi – thandai, tiranga barfi, lassi, Banarsi paan
Omissions Spark Criticism
The exclusion of non-vegetarian dishes has raised eyebrows. Iconic items like Lucknow's galouti kebabs and biryani, Rampur's mutton korma and seekh kebabs, and Bareilly's mutton preparations are missing from the list. Food historian Pushpesh Pant described the all-vegetarian platter as a 'half baked' measure, criticizing it as 'ignorant nonsense' and accusing the government of selective discrimination.
Government Response
Cabinet minister Rakesh Sachan addressed the controversy, stating that the omission is not intentional and that non-vegetarian dishes can be added if recommended in the future. He emphasized that the list is flexible and can be upgraded based on public opinion and local recommendations, with approval from the Chief Minister. The scheme aims to benefit a larger population through packaging, sales, and promotion, rather than promoting individual popular items.
