Once you step in, you won’t want to leave！ The afternoon tea café “Private Treasures Unveiled” is like a fairytale cottage.

▲ “Private Treasures Unveiled,” tucked away in a residential area, immediately catches the eye with its distinctive storefront. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

Reported by Chen Ziying / Taipei

Near the bustling Jing’an MRT station in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, a turn into an alleyway reveals a cozy little nook that looks like something out of a fairy tale. Nestled quietly in a residential area, it may seem a bit out of place at first glance — this is “Private Treasures Unveiled,” a place with cats, collectibles, and old friends.

Just as the café’s name “Private Treasures Unveiled” suggests, owner Lin Mingzhi says, “This is my home. I don’t treat it as just a shop. To me, customers are like friends, and there are no restrictions or pressures when they visit.” A generous sharer at heart, Lin is also a camera collector. Frustrated by the lack of stylish camera cases on the market, he decided to make his own. After putting them up for sale online, they quickly became a hit. Originally, this space was just his workshop where customers could pick up their orders. Lin chuckles as he recalls how one customer asked, “Do you have coffee?” So he started serving coffee. Then another asked, “Got any food?” and thus the food service began. Step by step, the workshop transformed into a charming little café serving delicious meals.

 
▲ Lin Mingzhi, passionate about camera collecting, began hand-stitching leather camera bags himself. His love for sharing gradually turned the workshop into a quaint little shop for collectors. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

Feeling that Taiwan’s afternoon tea cafés often lack a personal touch, Lin prefers the style of Japanese shops — a carefree, cozy vibe. From leather accessories and jewelry to stationery, washi tape, and postcards, the shelves are lined with adorable goods, all part of the “private treasures” that keep visitors browsing endlessly. Lin’s fondness for vintage furniture and his wife’s love for Japanese-style homeware have shaped the store’s unique character. Many furnishings, like discarded desks and chairs picked up from a nearby elementary school, were repainted and repaired by the couple themselves. Wu, a regular who calls this her go-to spot to unwind, says, “Once you’re here, you naturally start to feel calm.” That’s the charm of “Private Treasures Unveiled.”

% That wooden-floored space exudes a retro vibe, creating a uniquely tranquil atmosphere. (#, Reporter Ping-Su Chen)

▲ It’s like a little haven for office workers — all you feel here is relaxation and ease. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

  
▲ The store’s adorable therapeutic items always catch your eye. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)


▲ The café cat Money is also curled up and napping lazily. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

Lin Mingzhi says that all the food served at the café is made from recipes that he, his wife, and daughter enjoy cooking at home — the level of care is evident. The “Smoked Chicken Private Treasure Wrap” features a homemade, naturally fermented wrap, created with the hope that both family and customers can eat healthily. It includes smoked chicken, mashed tomatoes, cheese, and diced pears. From the crispy outer layer to the soft, flavorful cheese, the textures blend together in a perfect mix of crisp, soft, fragrant, and crunchy — highly recommended.

Who says pancakes have to be sweet? Once, leftover pancake pieces accidentally got brushed with savory sauce, and Lin discovered that savory pancakes tasted even better — and made a great main meal. That inspired him to create the “German Sausage Pancake,” featuring a crispy yet fluffy pancake layered with sausage, cheese, onions, and lettuce. It’s hearty and offers a refreshingly unique flavor.

 
▲ The “Smoked Chicken Private Treasure Wrap” delivers a texture combo of crisp, soft, fragrant, and crunchy; while the “German Sausage Pancake” is a savory, creative, and tasty new take on the classic. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)
% Your taste buds will be rewarded with every bite you take. (#, Reporter Ping-Su Chen)

【Private Treasures Unveiled】
Address: 1F, No. 6, Lane 167, Jing’an Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City
Phone: (02) 8943-3173
Business Hours: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Prices: Smoked Chicken Private Treasure Wrap 130 NTD, German Sausage Pancake 120 NTD, Coffee and beverages range from 100 to 150 NTD.