Living for 21 years in France, Yuan Jia Nan has learned a lot about French cuisine. She often relishes the smell of baguettes or croissants. But her taste buds find actual satisfaction in savoring spicy foods. After all, her grown-up years have seen the play of smoke and spices over a fiery oven, as is usual for any Chinese teenager. But, currently residing in the land of cream and bread, the French table tennis icon had no resources to taste the rich spices once again, until a food joint came to her rescue in the heart of Paris. 

The cafeteria, Yiang Xiao Chu, located at 18 rue Auguste Chabriers, has been serving authentic Chinese foods for the last several years. Yuan Jia is now one of the most regular visitors to this Oriental food zone. And, surprisingly, she is not the only famous name to come here. While Paris is hosting the Olympic Games for the second time in its history, the food joint is playing its part in highlighting the diversity. 

How is Yang Xiao Chu living up to its footmark at the Paris Olympics? 

The drive to implement sustainable food options in the Games Village has irked several athletes. As a result, they have moved to some makeshift kitchen arrangements to fulfill the nutritional needs of the body. However, for several table tennis players who share their link with China in different ways, Yang Xiao Chu has come down as a blessing for them. The cafeteria serves all the Chinese staple foods, dipped in spicy layers. Furthermore, it has the perfect space to enjoy table tennis. In a conversation with the New York Times, the owner of the joint, Tang Zhongqiu, gave many details about the place. 

Being a table tennis aficionado. Tang knew the Chinese players’ craving for Asian cuisines. And it could only be increased if they don’t find any resources at the Games Village. In reality, that had a prominent chance to happen, as the sustainable food options in the village have irked several athletes. Furthermore, multiple table tennis players have roots in China. So, in the middle of the Paris Olympics, the presence of such an option came as a blessing. 

So, apart from Yuan Jia Nan, Doo Hoi Kem, Hiroto Shinozuka, and Wong Chun Ting have also come to Yang Xiao Chu to test the Chinese food. Meanwhile, Yuan said, “It was good, because I like spicy food.” Meanwhile, the owner, Tang, has arranged something to make the experience wholesome. 

Entertainment and food are under the same roof

Just before the Paris Olympics, the owner spent much time planning something special for the restaurant. While the foods have ticked the tasty quotient, Tang’s improvisation to stick the 98-inch LED screen was the fundamental change. The continuous streaming of table tennis games on that screen has earned several more fans on the list. However, on the food menu card, healthy surprises are there. 

As per the New York Times, the healthy delicacies, cai yu (boiled fish and pickled cabbage soup) and shui zhu niu rou (spicy boiled beef), have managed their places on the plates. The special touch of handpicked diners from Sichuan makes the food far more exquisite. As a result, a long queue of customers and players is the most common at the gate. And don’t be surprised if you find Ding Ning, Liu Guozheng, and Zhang Yining in the crowds. 

Tang Zhongqiu—the unsung hero at the forefront 

A long line at the restaurant’s gate is a dream for the restaurant owner. Tang’s realization is also the same. Hailing from Xiamen, Tang Zhongqiu takes pride in his service. So when he says, “I didn’t expect we would get this busy during the Olympics, I just look after them as if they were my family members,” things look surreal. His two daughters and a small team are on a mission to save everyone from hunger at this Olympics.

Therefore, teams like Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea prefer the name to take their meals. Even so, they take it into their camps as well. Tang’s virtuoso once found a suitable ground when he prepared meals for the entire Hong Kong team, as their cook had not been around. Such little yet major stories build the bridge between the Olympic ethos and humanity.