Rasam, sambar and halwa on Xi’s dinner menu

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who arrived in Chennai on Friday (October 11) to kick start the second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram, will be served with south Indian cuisine on Friday night.

The special focus of the evening will be to showcase diverse South Indian cuisines. From Thakkali Rasam (Tomato Rasam) and Arachavitta Sambar (lentil soup with ground spices) to Kadalai Kuruma (Black gram curry) and Kavanarasi Halwa (sweet dish), the menu on offer will reflect the sweeping diversity of south Indian culinary traditions.

All regional cuisines, from Chettinad to Karaikudi, will be presented at the visiting dignitary. According to sources, duration of engagement between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi will be six hours. One on one meeting will be for almost 40 minutes. Both sides to issue press statements, sources added.