Youth Canteen, A Campus Holiday Time (Part 1) — Chung Hsing University %sBakkuAllPass

Already famished, we were greeted by salad plates larger than our faces, piled high with crisp greens and fruits—an astonishing portion. There were three sauces to choose from (American-style Thousand Island, Japanese-style soy-vinegar, and honey mustard), all for just a hundred NT dollars. The greens were fresh and crisp, and the sweet-and-sour honey mustard paired perfectly with the fruit, making for a wonderfully appetizing start. Next came the French-style creamy mustard chicken pasta—vibrant hues of herb-green, tomato-red, and golden noodles were nothing short of alluring, like a beautiful lady teasing the senses. The rich aroma of cheese and the distinctive scent of yellow mustard wafted over as we leaned in, and the first bite did not disappoint: the yellow mustard and creaminess coated the al dente noodles perfectly, while sweet, sour, and salty flavors played a graceful symphony. A bite of the tender, juicy chicken, complemented by crispy cucumbers and mushrooms, balanced the richness with a sweet crunch, making even a whole plate feel satisfying without being heavy. Another dish, Sicilian seafood pasta, didn’t hold back on ingredients—four plump shrimp and a generous helping of seafood toppings meant every bite delivered the ocean’s umami. The tomato-based sauce was equally impressive, holding its own against any top-tier restaurant in Taipei. “Great value” doesn’t quite cover it. For dessert, we ordered a mocha coffee, its delicate heart-shaped latte art inviting us to take a sip—the rich chocolate and aromatic coffee hit the palate, with sweetness and bitterness perfectly balanced. At Bakku All Pass, it’s not just about filling up, but savoring every bite.

 

Bakku All Pass shareholder Tsai Shih-wei shared that the decision to open on the Chung Hsing University campus was actually quite simple: one of the shareholders is an alumnus, and a sense of mission drove the team. They also noticed that compared to the now-trendy Fengjia or Yizhong shopping districts, the southern area lacked especially high-quality or unique dining options. They hoped to create a restaurant the school could be proud of—one that’s affordable for students yet appealing to local residents. Nearly two years since opening, the menu has gone through three revisions—from classic Western fare to today’s diverse offerings, including salads, sandwiches, pasta, curry rice, and even American-style breakfasts on weekends—all refined through accumulated experience. Bakku All Pass updates its menu once per semester, introducing new dishes, so each visit might bring something different, keeping things fresh. From packed weekdays to constant streams of families on weekends, it’s clear the restaurant has gradually won the hearts of Chung Hsing University students and the surrounding neighborhood.

 

Ms. Hu, who’s visited twice already, often comes here for lunch and reading during her days off, sometimes spending the entire afternoon. “It’s rare to find such a comfortable dining space on a school campus.” It seems that beyond students, outsiders have fallen for this spot too.

 

Since Chung Hsing University has an Animal Husbandry Department, visitors must try the dairy products produced by the university’s Livestock Research Farm. Because it’s on campus, Bakku All Pass also stocks five dairy items: fresh milk, yogurt, yogurt drinks, popsicles, and ice cream. Ms. Hu highly recommends their fresh milk yogurt, praising its rich, creamy flavor—it’s her go-to dessert every time she visits Chung Hsing. Step out of the restaurant and soak in the youthful vibe of campus life—the university trip is just getting started.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 250, Guoguang Rd., South District, Taichung City (On the campus of Chung Hsing University)

Phone: 04-2285-4466