Uttar Pradesh’s new ‘One District, One Cuisine’ scheme has sparked an online debate after people noticed that the official list of 208 dishes includes no meat-based items. The move has especially surprised
many food lovers because famous dishes from cities like Lucknow and Moradabad are missing from the list.
The scheme was launched to promote traditional food from different districts across the state through branding and marketing. But rather than the food itself, much of the online discussion has focused on what people believe has been left out.
People Question Missing Dishes
Under the scheme, districts and divisions across Uttar Pradesh have been linked to specific food items. Lucknow, which is known across India for dishes like Galauti Kabab, has been assigned foods such as rewari, chaat, malai makkhan and “mango produce.” Moradabad, famous for its biryani, has instead been linked to dal dishes and handi halwa.
Other meat dishes like Azamgarh’s Handi Mutton are also absent from the list.
The scheme was first announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in December last year and was officially launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during Uttar Pradesh Day celebrations in Lucknow on January 24. The Cabinet later approved it on May 4.
Officials reportedly said the aim is to promote local food traditions in the same way the “One District One Product” initiative promoted regional products and crafts.
Social Media Users React
As details of the food list spread online, many users began sharing reactions and criticism.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I am a strict vegetarian, yet I feel talking of UP cuisine, especially city like Lucknow, minus its signature meat dishes is so laughable!”
I am a strict vegetarian yet I feel talking of UP cuisine, especially city like Lucknow, minus its signature meat dishes is so laughable! pic.twitter.com/LZxFpnxVZp
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) May 6, 2026
Food vlogger Rocky Singh replied to her post saying, “I am a strict meat eater and I find this cuisine map farcical and rather ridiculous but hey, if a state OR a country is wants to destroy and bury its food history and culture – Tragic and tater pathetic.”
I am a strict meat eater and I find this cuisine map farcical and rather ridiculous but hey, if a state OR a country is wants to destroy and bury its food history and culture – 🤷♂️ 🤷♂️🤷♂️
Tragic and tater pathetic https://t.co/AnUMrWBIhL— Rocky Singh 🇮🇳 (@RockyEatsX) May 6, 2026
Many others also questioned some of the food choices on the list. “Who cares. These are just paper exercises to please someone’s eyes. We the people will continue to relish Chicken Mughlai and Galauti kebab,” a person commented.
“How did Cake become UP cuisine?” another user asked.
“Lucknow without kabab is like Mumbai without Vada Pav,” a comment read.
Someone else joked, “But what is Kanpur Edible Oil? Something they eat, or drink?”
Another person wrote, “I was born and brought up in UP. This is a personal attack; this is an injustice to the history and geography of the state. A state surrounded by Ghaghara, Gomti, Rapti, Chambal, Son, Betwa, Ganga, and Yamuna. Please keep your religion and politics away from Civilisation.”
The List Includes Many Local Foods
The cuisine list includes foods from all 75 districts and 18 divisions of Uttar Pradesh.
Agra has been linked with petha, dal moth and gajak, while Mathura features peda and makhan mishri. Gorakhpur includes litti-chokha, Basti has thekua, and Varanasi highlights Banarasi paan, thandai and tiranga barfi.
The list also includes dishes such as dal bafla from Jhansi, bedami puri from Prayagraj, kalakand from Aligarh and black rice dishes from Chandauli.
