Uttar Pradesh has a diversity in food scenes, and the state can never be explained through just one kind of food. Its culinary identity stretches from temple-town sweets and rural village staples to royal Awadhi kitchens that are known for kebabs, kormas and slow-cooked meat dishes. The manifold food culture is exactly why the state government’s newly endorsed “One District, One Cuisine” (ODOC) initiative is now provoking conversation among foodies, because across its official list of 208 dishes, not a single non-vegetarian item has been included.
To many, the exclusion of non-veg dishes feels inconceivable to ignore, particularly in cities whose food identities are closely linked to non-vegetarian cuisine. Lucknow, for instance, appears in the mapping through rewari, chaat and its well-known malai makkhan, but iconic dishes such as galouti kebab, Awadhi biryani and nihari are missing. Rampur’s rich meat customs and Moradabadi biryani have also been omitted, which are closer to the identity of the city.
What Is Uttar Pradesh’s ‘One District, One Cuisine’ Initiative?
The ODOC scheme is a district-wise culinary mapping project launched by the state government to promote the traditional regional foods. Under the initiative, each district is linked with dishes thought to be culturally or commercially important to that area. The broader vision is to support local food industries, improve the branding and encourage culinary tourism across the state.
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The scheme focuses on improving packaging, shelf life, food processing and export possibilities for the local dishes. Food entrepreneurs and artisans related to the chosen cuisines may also obtain some financial and infrastructure support under the initiative, as per reports.
The list includes everything from Agra’s petha and Mathura peda to Banarasi paan, Kanpur samosa, dairy products from Aligarh and regional sweets across smaller districts.
Why The Missing Non-Veg Dishes Stand Out
The criticism of missing iconic non-veg dishes is not only political, but it comes from people who see food as cultural documentation.
Uttar Pradesh’s cuisine has developed through Mughal influence, regional caste kitchens, local farming and old trade routes. In many cities, vegetarian and non-vegetarian traditions grew side by side for centuries. That is why many chefs, food authors and culinary experts feel the state’s food map now appears to be incomplete. Lucknow’s global prestige, for example, was not built only on sweets and snacks but also on dum pukht cooking, ric kebabs and Awadhi cuisines. Removing those dishes now changes how the city is represented to foreigners.
(Image credit: Freepik)
At the same time, the scheme has thrived in drawing attention towards many hyperlocal foods as well, which rarely enter mainstream conversations. Dishes from the smaller districts, seasonal sweets and community-specific practices are finally receiving the state-level awareness and visibility. That could make opportunities for food tourism, local retailers and small culinary businesses that otherwise remain unseen.
What Does The Expert Have To Say?
As per the statement noted in PTI, noted food historian Pushpesh Pant describes the all-vegetarian ODOC platter as a “half-baked” action. “This seems to be a half-baked move that strikes of bias. In short, ignorant nonsense.” Pant, however, further adds that he appreciates vegetarian cuisine as well. “I love all dishes. All I am saying is, why engage in particular bigotry?”
What Does The List include
The ODOC list of veg food is as follows:
Sultanpur: Peda, Samosa, Kadhai Puri, Red Peda, Jalebi
Barabanki: Chandrakala, Red Peda
Amethi: Samosa, Gud Ki 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
Azamgarh: Safed Gajar Ka Halwa
Mahoba: Date Jaggery
Meerut: Gajak And Revdi
Prayagraj: Kachori, Samosa, And Rasmalai
Hamirpur: Bundeli Dal-Based Preparations
Varanasi: Thandai, Tiranga Barfi, Lassi And Banarasi Paan