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Japanese ambassador ONO Keiichi tries eating Biryani ‘like sushi’ in Delhi: ‘It tastes even better’

A video shows a local patiently guiding him on how to scoop up the rice properly. The ambassador listens attentively, nods in agreement, and then gives it a try himself.

3 min readNew DelhiJan 21, 2026 06:42 PM IST

Japanese ambassador ONO Keiichi biryani with hands

Keiichi also shared a photo from Andhra Bhavan in New Delhi, where he enjoyed the meal

Japan’s ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi, has once again won hearts online—this time for embracing an Indian tradition with genuine warmth. During a recent visit to Delhi, the diplomat shared a moment from his biryani outing, where he chose to eat the dish by hand, just as many Indians do.

In a post on X, he wrote, “Tried eating biryani by hand — following my Indian friends,” alongside a short video. The clip shows a local patiently guiding him on how to scoop up the rice properly. The ambassador listens attentively, nods in agreement, and then gives it a try himself.

Reflecting on the experience, ONO Keiichi drew a comparison with Japan’s iconic sushi. “Like sushi, it tastes even better when eaten by hand,” he noted, suggesting that the traditional way adds to the flavour.

The post carried a deeper sentiment, too. “I feel I’ve come a little closer to my friends!” he wrote, ending the message with a Telugu phrase meaning “very good”. He also shared a photo from Andhra Bhavan in New Delhi, where he enjoyed the meal.

Check out the post:

Tried eating biryani by hand — following my Indian friends😊
Like sushi🍣, it tastes even better when eaten by hand.
I feel I’ve come a little closer to my friends!

చాలా బాగుంది😋 pic.twitter.com/H55Bf9COuE

— ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan (@JapanAmbIndia) January 20, 2026

The post quickly struck a chord online, crossing half a million views. Many X users praised his openness and cultural curiosity. One person commented, “It’s not the gesture of eating by hand, but your warmth and openness that truly bring people closer.”

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Another user shared a thoughtful note: “Dear Sir, Eating with hand is the best way to eat food is to savor its texture, temperature, and activate your senses. This signals your brain about the upcoming food and prepares you accordingly. It keep mind, body in sync. I love Japan and admire how you maintained the ancient culture…”

A third comment read, “Great to see you embrace a different culture so gracefully! This is exactly why Indians love the Japanese and your culture.” While another wrote, “Yes, eating with your hands makes the food more tasty. Great to see you have your food like Indians do.”

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This isn’t the ambassador’s first brush with biryani. During an official visit to Telangana last year, he stopped by a 25-year-old biryani spot to sample the local favourite. He used cutlery and shared his delight online, writing, “Enjoyed authentic Hyderabadi biryani during visit to Telangana! Amazed by its rich spices and bold flavors — ‘truly addictive!’.”