A viral post about being denied cutlery at Delhi’s iconic restaurant has sparked an online debate on food traditions versus personal comfort. While some praised the hand-eating custom as part of the experience, others argued diners should be free to choose how they eat.
A light-hearted moment at one of Delhi’s most celebrated restaurants has unexpectedly snowballed into a wider online debate about dining customs and personal choice.
The discussion began after Jasveer Singh, founder of Knot Dating, shared an anecdote on X about his visit to Bukhara. He recalled asking for cutlery during the meal, only to be told by the restaurant manager that spoons were the only option available. The manager then mentioned that former US presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Donald Trump had all dined there using their hands.
“The rest is up to you,” Singh quoted the manager as saying, later adding with humour that the implied message felt like, “Tum kya America se aaye ho?” He also remarked that “reverse pressure works better.”
Singh summed up the exchange in his viral post: “Asked for cutlery at Bukhara. Manager said sir spoon is allowed here – Then casually added Clinton, Obama, Trump ate by hand here. Rest is up to you. In his head, tum kya America se aaye ho! Reverse pressure works better.”
Asked for cutlery at Bukhara. Manager said sir spoon is allowed here – Then casually added Clinton, Obama, Trump ate by hand here. Rest is up to you
In his head, tum kya America se aaye ho! Reverse pressure works better pic.twitter.com/32OCL8XAdW
— Jasveer Singh (@jasveer10) February 2, 2026
The post quickly gained traction, prompting a flurry of reactions from users with sharply divided views.
Many sided with the restaurant, insisting that certain dishes are meant to be eaten by hand. “You can’t eat naan with a spoon, just like you can’t eat a burger with one. It’s just common sense,” one user commented.
Another person highlighted that the practice is part of the overall dining experience and is often embraced by international guests. “It is standard. They would like you to taste the food with hand. And a lot of visitors from abroad do that. It is an experience. At both Bukhara and Peshawri,” the comment read.
Not everyone agreed, though. Some users argued that diners should have the freedom to eat as they prefer. “It’s ok. I think restaurants don’t need to be so Nazi about imposing how diners eat. Imagine going to China, Korea or Japan and restaurants refusing Indians spoons and fork and imposing chopsticks,” one user wrote.
