Japanese Ambassador ONO Keiichi enjoys Odisha Dalma in the desi way!

When it comes to diplomacy, some of the most important accords happen over the dinner table, rather than in a boardroom. And one such bond is between Indian food and Japan’s Ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi, who yet again shared his love for desi food on social media, wherein he shared a snap of Odhisa’s popular delight, Dalma. Well, that’s not all; he yet again he proved his love for Indian food by eating with hands. Read on…

Love for Food
Well, this wasn't the first time, Japan’s Ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi, was seen relishing Indian food, and that too with hands. In one of his last official visits to India, he was spotted gorging on a delightful Biryani with hands. Recently, he took to his official X account, wherein he shared a picture of a delightful bowl of Dalma with hot steamed rice, which he was seen enjoying with his hands. His love for Indian food was praised by netizens and they expressed how beautifully he chose to eat the "desi way," using his hands to fully experience the texture and soul of the dish.

What is Dalma?
For those unfamiliar with the culinary gems of Eastern India, Dalma is much more than just a lentil soup; it is the ultimate comfort food and a nutritional powerhouse from Odisha. Dalma, is a dal recipe made with roasted moong dal, which is slow-cooked with a variety of local vegetables like raw papaya, pumpkin, plantains, and yams. What makes it different from a regular dal is the tempering of "Phutana" and the generous garnish of freshly grated coconut and roasted cumin powder. This dish is a staple in Odia households, and is also served as part of the "Mahaprasad" at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

The viral post
Japanese Ambassador ONO Keiichi’s post quickly went viral and garnered 47.6K views. His post drew praises for his genuine interest in Indian regional traditions. He wrote a caption that too was loved by netizens: "Enjoyed #Dalma in #Odisha
Delicious, and a wonderful reflection of Odisha’s rich culinary culture! “
What’s your take on this!