Kaohsiung’s popular light meal spot — the ever-surprising “Picnicker’s Secret Set”!

Text & Photos / “Kaohsiung’s Wonderful Little Trips: Local Delicacies × Creative Stars × Nostalgic Historic Sites,” published by Sikuaiyu Culture & Creativity.

“You. Picnic” is a light meal restaurant under the “You” brand in Fengshan, related to “You. Cuisine” and “You. Cafe,” all located close to each other within walking distance. You. Picnic promotes a carefree brunch experience, with a relaxed and unrestrained atmosphere. The owner, Chen Chen, is a woman who loves to keep life full of variety. After supporting “You. Cuisine” for some time, she created this space in July 2014. With a background in fashion design, she has strong opinions about branding. The name “You Series” comes from a chef character named “Aruyo (有)” in the Japanese TV drama “HIRO.”

“You. Picnic” is a two-story building. The first floor is the dining area, while the second floor is a studio that is not open to the public. The exterior features a simple black-and-white color scheme. To create an urban green space for picnics, artificial elements are used, such as stuffed tigers and artificial turf.

The daily-limited Picnicker’s Secret Set

The menu changes frequently with the seasons, with a strong emphasis on freshness and creativity, as evident in the whimsical naming of many dishes — for example, “Black Pepper Chicken Bites” and “When Cheese Meets Cheese.” The most iconic item is the daily-changing Picnicker’s Secret Set, which doesn’t have a fixed price on the menu because it depends on the day’s ingredient costs. Chen Chen shops at traditional markets daily for fresh produce. The dish might be served in a Mexican tortilla one day or on focaccia bread the next, depending entirely on what’s available.

All the bread in the shop is baked in-house and serves as the base for breakfast and lunch sets, including baguettes, bagels, toast, and focaccia. The hot-pressed sandwiches are especially popular. “When Cheese Meets Cheese” offers a blend of two cheese flavors, while “Pumpkin & Wild Mushroom Cheese” brings a rustic countryside taste. Other options include Italian meat sauce, German sausage, and the classic peanut butter & bacon. The peanut butter used is from the renowned Hsinchu brand Fuyuan. These items can be added to meal sets, which also come with soup, fries, scrambled eggs, and a drink.

There are plenty of creative drinks to try, too. Kids love the matcha milk, which combines the richness of fresh milk with the subtlety of matcha. Notably, the shop offers a range of low-alcohol and sparkling beverages. Popular choices include Club Mate maté soda, Helden Pause (a pear-flavored “Hey Hero!” sparkling drink), low-alcohol Angry Orchard cider, and Henrietta sparkling wine. These are perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

You. Picnic
No. 3, Lane 297, Guangyuan Rd., Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City
(07) 719-8685
09:00–16:00, closed on Mondays

Author / Chiang Ming-li
Former journalist for multiple travel media outlets, she has traveled the world on assignment, including the Netherlands, Germany, Thailand, the U.S. and Canada, China, Russia, and Egypt, with a focus on China and Japan. Her publications include “Tailor-Made Homestays,” “Century-Old Good Shops,” “Selected Authentic Taiwanese Snacks: Southern & Eastern Editions,” “Yilan’s Wonderful Little Trips,” “Hualien’s Wonderful Little Trips,” and “Chiayi’s Wonderful Little Trips.” She is now a freelance writer and regular contributor to HERE PLUS magazine.

Photographer / Lu Dazhong
Graduated from the Photography Department of Shih Hsin University’s Department of Mass Communication. He has been a professional commercial photographer since 1993, specializing in food, interior design, travel, and celebrity portraits. Skilled in various lighting techniques and mixed-light photography, his aesthetically pleasing compositions stem from a solid theoretical foundation and creative vision.