Uttar Pradesh has an amazing food culture and is widely known for its food, especially Awadhi Biryani and juicy kebabs. But the state recently approved the ‘One District-One Cuisine’ (ODOC) scheme that sidelines non-vegetarian dishes and promotes only vegetarian ones like soya chaap, kachori, lassi and more.
‘One District-One Cuisine’ Scheme In Uttar Pradesh Promotes Vegetarian Dishes
Uttar Pradesh has recently notified a district-wise culinary map under its ‘One District-One Cuisine’ (ODOC) scheme. According to Hindustan Times, the list assigns each of the state’s 75 districts a set of signature dishes for branding, marketing and export. But the surprising part is that every item on the list is vegetarian, despite the state being famous for its non-vegetarian delicacies.
Lucknow has been assigned revdi, mango products, chaat and malai makhan as its signature dishes. Its iconic dishes like Galouti Kebab, Awadhi biryani, nahari kulcha and Kakori Kebab do not appear on the list. The omission is surprising because Lucknow was recently recognised by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy.
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Signature Dishes Of UP
Moradabadi Biryani, one of the most recognised dishes from western Uttar Pradesh, is also not on the list. According to Hindustan Times, the scheme was announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on November 8, 2025, and was formally launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 24, 2026. The government has reportedly earmarked ₹150 crore for the implementation of this scheme.
According to WION, here are some of the signature dishes listed under the scheme:
- Sultanpur: peda, samosa, kadhai puri, red peda, jalebi
- Amethi: samosa, jaggery kheer, gulgula
- Ambedkar Nagar: Balushahi, chaat, khajla
- Devipatan division: dahi vada
- Bahraich: chamcham, kachori
- Balrampur: coconut barfi, kalakand, ghamanja, chaat
- Shravasti: imarti
- Lucknow: revdi, mango products, chaat, malai makhan
- 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, trilok pari
- Ayodhya: dahi, kachori, kulhad dahi-jalebi
- Azamgarh: white carrot halwa
- Mahoba: date jaggery
- Hamirpur: Bundeli dal-based preparations
- Varanasi: thandai, lassi and Banarasi Paan
- Bareilly: chole bhature, chaat
- Gautam Buddh Nagar: cake, bakery items
- Agra: petha
- Mathura: peda, chhappan bhog
The main objective of this scheme is to promote Uttar Pradesh’s cuisine on India’s and the world’s food platter by improving quality, packaging, branding and marketing. The scheme involves quality standardisation, a dedicated logo for each identified dish and better market access.
What do you think of this scheme? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Subodh Agnihotri and Satyam Verma
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What to eat in Lucknow?
In Lucknow, you must try kebabs, biryani, chaat and malai makhan.