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In a push to promote local delicacies with better branding and market reach, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out a district-wise `One District One Cuisine` list. But the absence of many famed non-vegetarian dishes — like Lucknow`s Galouti kebabs and biryani — has raised eyebrows.
Several iconic non-vegetarian, long synonymous with the state`s culinary identity, and celebrated nationally and globally, do not find mention in the ODOC list.
Besides its famous kebabs, Lucknow`s Awadhi biryani and nihari also did not find a place in the list. Mutton korma and seekh kebabs from Rampur`s rich Rampuri cuisine and Bareilly`s popular mutton preparations were also missing from the list.
Like Lucknow, Varanasi and Allahabad (Prayagraj) are also known for distinctive non-vegetarian street foods and curries that draw food enthusiasts from across the country.
President Cuisine Society of India and well-known food historian Pushpesh Pant described the all-vegetarian ODOC platter as “half baked” measure.
Talking to PTI on phone, Pant said, “This seems to be a half baked move that smacks of bigotry. In short, ignorant nonsense.”
Pant made it clear that he was all for vegetarian dishes. “I love all dishes. All I am saying is why engage in selective discrimination?”
According to the ODOC list, each district has been mapped with its signature dishes.
In Agra, petha and dalmoth have been identified, while Firozabad is known for potato-based dishes such as tikki and kachori. Mainpuri features sohan papdi and boiled potato preparations, and Mathura is recognised for peda, khurchan and mishri-based sweets.
Aligarh has been tagged with dairy products and kachori, Hathras with asafoetida (hing)-linked items and khurchan, while Kasganj is associated with moong dal halwa and snacks made from singhada flour.
In central Uttar Pradesh, Ayodhya`s kachori, peda and kulhad dahi-jalebi, Sultanpur`s peda and savoury items, Barabanki`s chandrakala, and Amethi`s samosa and jaggery-based sweets have been listed. Ambedkar Nagar is known for batasha and khoya-based items.
Eastern districts also feature prominently, with Azamgarh known for teheri and carrot halwa, Ballia for sattu-based dishes, and Mau for litti-chokha. Varanasi`s diverse offerings include tiranga barfi, thandai, lassi, kachori and Banarasi paan, while Jaunpur is known for imarti and its unique sweets.
In western Uttar Pradesh, Meerut`s revdi and gajak, Ghaziabad`s papad-based preparations, Gautam Buddh Nagar`s bakery products, Hapur`s papad, and Bulandshahr`s kachori and peda have been included. Baghpat is associated with balushahi and ghewar.
Other notable entries include Prayagraj`s kachori, samosa and rasmalai, Fatehpur`s bedmi puri and sweets, Kaushambi`s jaggery-based products, and Pratapgarh`s amla-based items. Saharanpur is known for honey-based products, Muzaffarnagar for jaggery sweets, and Shamli for jaggery-based snacks.
Officials said the initiative seeks to systematically catalogue and promote local cuisines across all districts of the state.
Advisor to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Awanish Awasthi, highlighted the initiative in a post on X on Tuesday, April 5, stating that Uttar Pradesh is set to give global recognition to its traditional dishes through modern branding and improved packaging.
“This step will empower local artisans while giving a boost to employment and entrepreneurship. Under the leadership of the chief minister, Uttar Pradesh is creating a new identity in taste, culture and economy,” he said in the post.
The ODOC initiative was also emphasised by Chief Minister Adityanath during the Budget 2026-27 discussions in the state assembly on February 20.
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