⏱ 2 min read
The Short Version
Forget standard lattes; Hijau Coffee is transforming San Jose’s caffeine scene by turning iconic Indonesian desserts like pineapple tarts and palm sugar rice cakes into sophisticated specialty drinks. It’s a high-end cultural immersion pairing single-origin beans with authentic Southeast Asian flavors and artistry.
In This Article
Serene Southeast Asian aesthetics have arrived in Silicon Valley with the opening of Hijau Coffee in San Jose, California. The shop serves as a dedicated tribute to the flavors and heritage of Indonesia, moving beyond simple caffeine service to offer a full cultural encounter. Co-founder Lisa Maria, who moved from West Java to the U.S. in 2007, launched the venture alongside her husband, Ryan Prawiradjaja, to increase the representation of Indonesian coffee within the Bay Area.
We translate these flavors into drink recipes,
Flavors Rooted in Tradition
The menu translates iconic Indonesian desserts into specialty beverage recipes. Customers can find a Nastar Latte inspired by pineapple tarts, a Klepon Latte modeled after palm sugar-filled rice cakes, and pandan lattes served in handmade ceramics from Yogyakarta potters. For cooler weather, the shop plans to introduce a Wedang Latte featuring coconut sugar, ginger, and lemongrass. We translate these flavors into drink recipes, Maria said.
The culinary experience extends to jajan pasar, or Indonesian market snacks, such as putu ayu—a pandan sponge cake with grated coconut—and savory chicken-filled pastel ayam. To ensure quality, the cafe exclusively serves single-origin Indonesian coffees selected by the founders and roasted through a partnership with Santa Clara-based Barefoot Coffee.
Technical Precision and Design
Building the space required significant labor; Maria noted that because the previous Starbucks tenant stripped the unit down to a basic sink, they had to construct the cafe from the ground up. The finished interior features an oak-fronted bar with basket-weave patterns inspired by Indonesian woodwork, complemented by batik textiles and rattan pendant lights.
Behind the counter, the technical setup is high-end, centered around a custom green three-group La Marzocco Strada SAV espresso machine. The workflow is supported by Mahlkönig E80W Grind-by-Sync grinders with Puqpress automatic tampers, a Mahlkönig EK43 for batch and cold brew, and a Mazzer Philos for manual pourovers. Following a grand opening on Sept. 5 that featured Balinese dance and live gamelan music, Maria intends to focus on growing their local customer base while eventually encouraging more U.S. roasters to feature Indonesian beans.
Do you think specialty coffee shops should lean harder into specific cultural culinary traditions, or stick strictly to the bean?
Questions & Answers
What kind of specialty drinks can I find at Hijau Coffee?
Hijau Coffee offers a unique menu of specialty beverages inspired by iconic Indonesian desserts. Customers can enjoy a Nastar Latte which is modeled after pineapple tarts or a Klepon Latte inspired by palm sugar-filled rice cakes. The shop also serves pandan lattes presented in handmade ceramics from Yogyakarta. For those seeking warmer flavors, the cafe plans to introduce a Wedang Latte featuring a traditional blend of coconut sugar, ginger, and lemongrass.
How is the interior of Hijau Coffee designed to reflect Indonesian culture?
The interior design of Hijau Coffee incorporates several traditional Indonesian aesthetic elements to create a serene atmosphere. The space features an oak-fronted bar decorated with basket-weave patterns inspired by Indonesian woodwork. To complete the cultural experience, the cafe uses batik textiles and rattan pendant lights throughout the shop. These design choices complement the Southeast Asian theme and provide a sense of heritage to the Silicon Valley location.
What type of coffee beans and equipment does Hijau Coffee use?
Hijau Coffee exclusively serves single-origin Indonesian coffees that are roasted through a partnership with Santa Clara-based Barefoot Coffee. The technical setup features high-end equipment including a custom green three-group La Marzocco Strada SAV espresso machine. The workflow is further supported by Mahlkönig E80W Grind-by-Sync grinders, a Mahlkönig EK43 for batch and cold brew, and a Mazzer Philos specifically used for manual pourovers to ensure technical precision.
What traditional Indonesian snacks are available at the cafe?
Hijau Coffee serves a variety of jajan pasar, which are traditional Indonesian market snacks. Customers can choose from sweet options like putu ayu, a pandan sponge cake topped with grated coconut. For those preferring savory flavors, the menu includes pastel ayam, which are pastries filled with chicken. These snacks are designed to complement the specialty coffee program and provide a full cultural encounter for visitors in San Jose.
Originally reported by Daily Coffee News.
