‘Gajab swad ba!’: Japanese envoy relishes Bihar’s litti chokha, photo goes viral

The viral photo captures Keiichi Ono relishing litti chokha along with other traditional Bihari delicacies.

Along with enjoying the local cuisine, Ambassador Keiichi Ono shared about the official meetings (Image source: @JapanAmbIndia/X)

Japan’s Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Keiichi Ono, is winning hearts on social media as he shared a picture of him enjoying Bihar’s famous traditional dish, litti chokha. Currently touring the state, Ambassador Ono shared his experience, describing the popular delicacy as “world-famous” and charming locals by adding a touch of Bhojpuri.

“Namaste, Bihar! Finally had the chance to try the world-famous Litti Chokha—Gajab Swad Ba!” he wrote on X, along with a photo of him. The viral photo captures Ono relishing litti chokha along with other traditional Bihari delicacies.

See here:

Namaste, Bihar!
Finally had the chance to try the world-famous Litti Chokha—Gajab Swad Ba!👍 pic.twitter.com/DTzqStRsUn

— ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan (@JapanAmbIndia) April 14, 2025

The post garnered nearly two lakh views and numerous reactions from social media users, with one commenting, “I highly recommend trying the Champaran-style mutton from Bihar; it’s a delicious dish that you won’t regret experiencing!” Another user wrote, “Next time eat with your hand to feel the actual taste of indian dishes.”

“Somehow japanese ambassadors have cracked the formula of being the best ambassadors,” a third user chimed in.

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Along with enjoying the local cuisine, Ambassador Keiichi Ono shared about the official meetings. In another update, he highlighted his visit to the Bihar National Highway Improvement Project, an important infrastructure effort supported by the Japanese government. “Together with the Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency, I visited the Bihar National Highway Improvement Project, funded by the Govt of Japan.. The project is expected to greatly reduce travel time within the state and contribute significantly to its tourism and economy,” he wrote.

Namaste, Bihar!
Finally had the chance to try the world-famous Litti Chokha—Gajab Swad Ba!👍 pic.twitter.com/DTzqStRsUn

— ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan (@JapanAmbIndia) April 14, 2025

In 2023, a video of Japan’s former Ambassador to India, Hiroshi Suzuki, enjoying pani puri and a Banarasi Thali in Varanasi took the Internet by storm.

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