Watch: Japanese Ambassador ONO Keiichi tries biryani with hands, says ‘tastes even better…’

Tasting local food is a great way to understand a culture. Japan’s Ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi, recently did this by eating biryani with his hands, the Indian way. He shared his experience online, and it quickly got a lot of attention.

Learning to eat biryani with hands

During a visit to New Delhi, Ambassador ONO shared a video where he was taught how to eat biryani with his hands. A local guide showed him how to pick up the rice and enjoy it properly. Nodding along, he followed the steps carefully and seemed to enjoy the experience.

“Like sushi, tastes better by hand”

The ambassador compared this experience to eating sushi, saying, “Like sushi, it tastes even better when eaten by hand.” He also reflected on the cultural connection, posting, “I feel I’ve come a little closer to my friends!” To make it more local, he included a line in Telugu, which means “very good.”

Social media applauds the gesture

People online appreciated his effort. One user wrote, “It’s not the gesture of eating by hand, but your warmth and openness that truly bring people closer.”

Another commented, “Yes, eating with your hands makes the food tastier. Great to see you have your food like Indians do.”

A third said, “Great to see you embrace a different culture so gracefully! This is exactly why Indians love the Japanese and your culture. Kudos to your spirit!”

One more piece of shared practical advice, writing, “Yep! You’ve got the technique down! Just grasp a handful and put it in, keep the mess to a minimum, and you can go and wash your hands once more afterwards. Good on you for reaching out across the divide to a different culture.”

A continued love for biryani

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, this was not Ambassador ONO’s first biryani experience in India. Last year, during a visit to Telangana, he enjoyed authentic Hyderabadi biryani at a 25-year-old restaurant.

He shared a photo of himself eating with a spoon and fork, writing, “Enjoyed authentic Hyderabadi biryani during visit to Telangana! Amazed by its rich spices and bold flavors–‘truly addictive!’”

ONO Keiichi’s experience is a simple reminder of how food can create connections and bring people closer across cultures.
Thumb image: X/ONO Keiichi