Lao Jiu's dumplings inspired
fans to label the main "Pi" actor
as the "dumpling boy".

WEIN Restaurant & Lounge,
location of choice for "Life of
Pi"'s Wrap Party.

Inspirations are everywhere in
the Taichung Metropolitan Park.

An encounter with Ang Lee and Pi: A map for unique eats and finds around Taichung

Words by Ran Ling
Translated by Naomi Lai
Photography by Li Shi-yu

Everyone from director Ang Lee to the cast and crew fell in love with Taichung's delectable local cuisine and refreshing environment during their long stay in Taichung filming the Oscar-winning "Life of Pi". Whether it was experiencing various unique eateries, the bustling night market or inspiring walks, Ang Lee was all over the city as Taichung proved itself to be a memorable, fulfilling location to visit and work in. Let's join Lee and Pi for a fresh discovery of Taichung.

La Bodega: The film crew's daily pick-me-up
3, JingCheng 2nd St, West Dist.; (04) 2310-7006
La Bodega has been in business in Taichung for over a decade and focuses on Andalusian cuisine from southern Spain. Owner Lolo inherited his authentic Spanish cooking from his mother, and offers true Spanish flavors via his Paella Marinera, Deep-Fried Spanish Dumplings, Albondigas Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, Jamon Serrano & Chorizo (Spanish sausages specially brought in from Spain), and Tortilla Espanola Spanish Potato Omelette (Spanish-style egg dish with fried potatoes). The film crew noted La Bodega as their favorite Spanish destination on late nights after filming.

Pi's Remedies for Homesickness at Two Indian Restaurants
The Spice Shop
1066, JianXing Rd, West Dist.; (04) 2327-2767
Bollywood Indian Restaurant Indian Restaurant
1026, JianXing Rd, West Dist.; (04) 2319-2828
The Spice Shop Indian Restaurant is one of Taichung's oldest Indian eateries. Its authentic vegetarian dishes such as Daal (made with assorted types of lentils) and Allo Gobhi (Indian mixed vegetables) served with Naan Indian pan-fried flat bread are dishes that actor Ayush Tandon (playing Pi at age 13) and his family ordered every time they visited the restaurant. The fresh, home-style food here made it a favorite with the Indian cast and crew. Adding a Mango Lassi Indian yogurt drink or Spiced Hot Milk Tea made the best cure for Ayush's homesickness.

Not far from The Spice Shop is Bollywood Indian Restaurant, known for its insistence on using spices imported from India and traditional Indian cooking methods to prepare its various curry meals. The Tandoori Chicken and the various Indian snacks prepared here also helped relieve some of the longings for home that Indian cast and crew endured while filming in Taichung. The film's star, Suraj Sharma (Pi at age 16) celebrated his 18th birthday and rites of passage here.

Ang Lee's Favorite: Old Uncle's Restaurant
78, ZiYou Rd, Sec 2, Central Dist.; (04) 2223-3878
As soon as you enter Old Uncle's Restaurant you'll see a large "Life of Pi" poster in the middle of the place with various pictures of Ang Lee. According to owner Nie Bin-Wu, Lee visited his restaurant at least twice a week during his stay in Taichung. The director loved the eatery's specialty Northeast Sour Cabbage & Pork Hot Pot so much that he not only brought his mother to the restaurant before leaving Taiwan, but also even insisted that Nie open another branch in New York. Even the Indian actor Suraj got addicted to Nie's Sour Cabbage Dumplings, to the point where Suraj was lovingly nicknamed the "dumpling boy" by Taiwanese fans.

Wrap Party at WEIN Restaurant & Lounge
168, ShiZheng N 1st Rd, Xitun Dist.; (04) 2251-1155
Chinese poet Bai Juyi once said, "You can be a hermit in the woods, but a true hermit hides in the cities." Situated in the 7th Redevelopment Zone, WEIN Restaurant & Lounge is among the city's best "hermitages", a quiet Chinese restaurant hidden away from the noise and traffic behind a shroud of bamboo. The dishes here are served with the philosophy of "cook Chinese, prepare Japanese and display Western", in a creative culinary fusion. Both the light, but deep, flavors of the Bamboo Mushroom Chicken Soup and the Yilan Cherry Duck are favorites of Ang Lee, who once treated famous French actor Gerard Depardieu to a meal here. The "Pi" crew also held their Wrap Party at this establishment.

Souvenirs from the Wenxin Jade Market
651-1, WenXin Rd, Sec 2, Xitun Dist.; (04) 2254-3788
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Jade Market on Wenxin Road is bustling with business. Inside the market in every direction you can see all sorts of jade carvings and sculptures, accompanied by a wide array of antiques, gemstones, Chinese speciality tea pots and jewelry. With over 400 booths, Wenxin Jade Market touts itself as the largest jade, antiques and artwork trading center in Taiwan. The various film-crew members from "Life of Pi" frequented this location during their off hours in hopes of finding some unique souvenirs amongst the busy booths and crowds to bring home for family members. At Wenxin Jade Market there is something for everyone and no one ever leaves empty-handed.

Looking for inspiration at Taichung Metropolitan Park
30-3, XiPing S Lane, Xitun Dist.; (04) 2461-2483
Situated on Dadu Mountain, the Taichung Metropolitan Park serves not only as a recreational park, but also as a natural reserve and educational site. Locals come to the park to visit various sites such as the Plant Observation Area, Sundial, Moon Corridor, Therapeutic Waterway and Ecological Pond, either on foot or by bicycle. In the evenings, you can also experience gorgeous night views from atop Dadu Mountain here. Whenever Ang Lee felt stuck in a "director's block" during filming he would come here and let himself roam between the trees amidst the park's light breezes until he felt his mind relax and his inspiration rise again.

Whether it's the night market, a unique restaurant or just a walk in the park, it seems that you can find glimpses of Ang Lee and Pi everywhere in Taichung.