Malabar Lobster, Meen Varuval: X user shares a 2019 menu amid BRICS veg menu row

An X user has shared the vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu cards from the dinner hosted for Xi Jinping in 2019. The post has surfaced as the all-vegetarian BRICS gala dinner menu faces criticism.X user shares a 2019 menu amid BRICS veg menu row (Photo: Dharmesh Dixit/X) Amid the debate over the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS gala dinner in New Delhi over the weekend, an X user has shared pictures of the vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus served when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India in 2019.The 2019 menus resurfaced amid the controversy over the menu served at the BRICS gala dinner in Delhi, which has become a talking point after Opposition leaders questioned the decision to serve an entirely vegetarian spread.In his post on X, Dharmesh Dixit shared the veg and non-veg menu cards from the dinner hosted by PM Modi in honour of Xi Jinping at the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, on October 11, 2019.Sharing pictures of both menus, Dixit wrote on X, “Earlier, the government used to publish both veg and non-veg menus for foreign dignitaries. It seems they now share only the vegetarian menu.” The non-vegetarian menu featured a range of South Indian dishes, including Thakkali Rasam, Malabar Lobster, Kori Kempu, Mutton Ularthiyadu, Thanjavur Kozhi Curry, Karuvepillai Meen Varuval and Yerachi Chetti Kozhambu.The menu described Malabar Lobster as spiny lobster cooked in Kerala spices, while Kori Kempu comprised chicken strips tossed with curd and chilli. Mutton Ularthiyadu featured mutton cubes cooked with coconut. Karuvepillai Meen Varuval is griddle-cooked curry leaf-flavoured fish. The vegetarian menu also showcased regional Indian cuisine. It included Babycorn Kurumilagu, Paneer Ghee Roast, Kadalai Kuruma, Poonikai More Curry and Vendakai Poriyal. It also featured Arachavitta Sambar, Steam Ponni Rice and assorted Indian breads.Take a look at the post here:Meanwhile, leaders attending the BRICS 2026 summit were served a distinctly Indian, millet-focused vegetarian menu at the gala dinner hosted by PM Modi at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday.The menu featured dishes such as Khandvi Mille-Feuille, Khumb Galouti, Paneer Lababdar and Millet Pulao, along with traditional Indian desserts.Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also took a swipe at the central government over the vegetarian menu, asserting that “80 per cent of Indians are non-vegetarian”.- EndsPublished On: Sep 14, 2026 12:46 IST