Himalayan Flavours Take Centre Stage at Rashtrapati Bhavan Banquet for EU Leaders

A specially curated menu showcasing India’s rich Himalayan culinary heritage was served at a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The banquet honoured top European Union leaders as part of India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations and highlighted India’s cultural diversity through food.

Rashtrapati Bhavan banquet for EU leaders features Himalayan delicacies like yak cheese, guchhi mushrooms, and regional specialties, showcasing India’s culinary heritage

Celebrating Himalayan Cuisine

The menu drew inspiration from the Himalayan belt, incorporating regional ingredients and traditional cooking techniques from Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast  all presented in a contemporary fine-dining format.

Menu Highlights

Starters and Soup

• Jakhiya aloo with green tomato chutney a spiced potato preparation from the hills

• Jhangora ki kheer with meah loon and white chocolate a creamy barnyard millet dessert course

• Sunderkala thichoni  a buckwheat noodle soup with Tibetan influences from Uttarakhand

  
  

Accompaniments

• Yak cheese custard with bhaang mathri  a rich custard paired with crisp Himalayan biscuits

• Bichhu buti patta glazed with mustard and lauki (bottle gourd)

• Winter carrot kadhi  yoghurt-based spiced carrot preparation

  
  

Main Course

The main course featured:

• Guchhi (morel mushrooms) and Solan mushrooms cooked with poppy seeds and burnt tomato sauce

• Himachali swarnu rice  a fragrant local Himalayan rice variety

• A trio of chutneys from rai leaf, Kashmiri walnut, roasted tomato, and akhuni (fermented soybean condiment)

  
  

Desserts

Dessert offerings included:

• Himalayan ragi and Kashmiri apple cake with timru and sea buckthorn cream

• Coffee custard with dates and raw cacao

• Himalayan honey-dressed persimmon

All dishes were curated in collaboration with accomplished chefs, reflecting a commitment to promoting India’s diverse culinary traditions on the global stage.

Diplomacy Through Cuisine

This specially tailored menu was more than a feast it was a cultural statement. By spotlighting regional, traditional Indian food at a high-profile diplomatic event, India demonstrated how cuisine can serve as soft power, bringing international visitors closer to the nation’s heritage. The banquet coincided with significant diplomatic developments between India and the European Union, further elevating its importance.