Serene Southeast Asian island vibes are rippling into Silicon Valley this month with the opening of Hijau Coffee, a new specialty coffee shop in San Jose, California, devoted to the rich flavors and diverse coffee heritage of Indonesia. This ambitious venture, co-founded by Lisa Maria and Ryan Prawiradjaja, aims to serve as a vibrant cultural bridge, introducing the nuanced tastes of Indonesian coffee and cuisine to a wider audience in the Bay Area.
The establishment of Hijau Coffee marks a significant moment for the burgeoning specialty coffee scene in San Jose, a city increasingly recognized for its innovative spirit and diverse culinary landscape. The shop’s design itself is a testament to its mission, meticulously crafted to immerse visitors in Indonesian culture. From the moment one steps inside, the ambiance evokes the tranquility and artistry of the archipelago.
An Immersive Design: A Fusion of Indonesian Craftsmanship and Modern Aesthetics
The interior of Hijau Coffee is a carefully curated masterpiece, blending natural materials and traditional Indonesian motifs with a contemporary sensibility. The focal point is the oak-fronted bar, beneath a sleek quartz countertop, featuring an intricate basket-weave pattern inspired by traditional Indonesian woodwork. This detail gracefully curves into a section adorned with the brand’s signature green tile, a subtle yet striking visual cue that underscores the shop’s name, "Hijau," meaning green in Indonesian.
Illuminating the space are bamboo and rattan pendant lights, casting a warm glow that complements the batik textiles draped elegantly on the cafe walls. These textiles, often hand-dyed using traditional techniques, add a splash of color and cultural authenticity. The furnishings are a thoughtful combination of pieces sourced from local artisans and those imported directly from Indonesia, creating a harmonious dialogue between global and local craftsmanship. This deliberate design choice not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also reinforces Hijau Coffee’s commitment to showcasing Indonesian artistry.
A Culinary and Cultural Encounter: Translating Indonesian Flavors into Coffee
At the heart of Hijau Coffee’s mission is the desire to offer a unique "cultural encounter of Indonesia for people in San Jose and the Bay Area," as articulated by Co-Founder Lisa Maria. This vision extends beyond mere coffee service; it’s about educating patrons about Indonesian culture and heritage through taste and experience.
The beverage menu is where this philosophy truly comes to life. Baristas, working with precision and artistry, serve a range of signature drinks crafted using handmade ceramics from potters in Yogyakarta, a city renowned for its artistic traditions. Among the highlights are the Pandan Latte, a fragrant concoction infused with the sweet, vanilla-like aroma of pandan leaves, a staple in Southeast Asian desserts.
More adventurous palates can explore the Nastar Latte, an innovative drink inspired by the beloved Indonesian pineapple tarts, known for their sweet and slightly tart filling. Another unique offering is the Klepon Latte, which captures the essence of "klepon," a traditional Indonesian sweet made from glutinous rice flour, filled with molten palm sugar, and rolled in grated coconut. Maria explains, "We translate these flavors into drink recipes."
The commitment to seasonal offerings further enhances the immersive experience. Maria notes, "We also do seasonal drinks such as the upcoming Wedang Latte made of coconut sugar, ginger and lemongrass that is perfect for cooler weather." This thoughtful approach ensures that the menu remains dynamic and reflective of Indonesian culinary traditions throughout the year.
The Genesis of Hijau Coffee: A Journey from Tech to Specialty Brews
The story of Hijau Coffee is one of passion, resilience, and a deep-seated desire to share a cultural heritage. Lisa Maria, originally from West Java, Indonesia, moved to the United States in 2007 to pursue her higher education. Her husband, Ryan Prawiradjaja, born in Jakarta, relocated to the U.S. in 1999. Both brought with them a profound appreciation for their Indonesian roots.
The pivot towards the coffee industry was spurred by a significant life event for Maria. Approximately three years ago, she lost her position in the tech startup world. This period of transition ignited a desire to explore a new path, one that connected with her family’s history and addressed a perceived gap in the Bay Area’s coffee landscape: the limited representation of Indonesian coffees.
Maria and Prawiradjaja officially co-founded Hijau Coffee in early 2024. Prior to establishing their brick-and-mortar location, they meticulously built a following through participation in South Bay farmers markets and strategic pop-up events. These early endeavors allowed them to test their concepts, gather customer feedback, and refine their offerings, laying a solid foundation for their current venture. The opportunity to take over a former Starbucks space in San Jose provided the ideal canvas for realizing their vision.
From Ground Up: Building a Coffee Haven in San Jose
The transformation of the former Starbucks location into Hijau Coffee was a substantial undertaking. "Starbucks gutted pretty much everything before they left and left only a three-compartment sink in the kitchen and restrooms, so we had to build the cafe from the ground up," Maria recounted. This challenge, however, presented an opportunity to create a space that perfectly aligned with their cultural and aesthetic aspirations.
The operational heart of Hijau Coffee is a testament to their commitment to quality and precision. Baristas craft their signature drinks on a custom green, three-group La Marzocco Strada S AV espresso machine, renowned for its advanced temperature stability and volumetric control. This high-performance machine is complemented by two Mahlkönig E80W Grind-by-Sync grinders, ensuring precise and consistent dosing for espresso preparation, with integrated Puqpress automatic tampers further enhancing consistency.
For batch brewing and cold brew, a Mahlkönig EK43 grinder is utilized, a workhorse known for its exceptional grind consistency, crucial for extracting optimal flavor profiles. Manual pour-over enthusiasts will find a Mazzer Philos serving as the single-dose grinder, allowing for meticulous control over grind size and freshness for each individual brew. This carefully selected equipment underscores Hijau Coffee’s dedication to the art and science of specialty coffee.
Championing Indonesian Coffee: A Focus on Single Origins and Local Partnerships
A cornerstone of Hijau Coffee’s philosophy is its unwavering commitment to showcasing single-origin Indonesian coffees. Maria and Prawiradjaja personally select these beans, emphasizing their unique terroir and flavor profiles. These exceptional coffees are then expertly roasted in collaboration with Barefoot Coffee, a respected Santa Clara-based roasting partner. This partnership ensures that the beans are roasted to perfection, highlighting their inherent qualities and delivering a superior coffee experience to customers.
The dedication to Indonesian coffee extends to educating consumers about the nuances of growing regions, varietals, and processing methods specific to Indonesia, a country with a rich and storied history in coffee cultivation, including origins like Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi.
A Taste of Tradition: Jajan Pasar and Local Pastries
Complementing the exquisite coffee offerings is a curated food menu that further celebrates Indonesian culinary traditions. Alongside locally made pastries, Hijau Coffee features "jajan pasar," or Indonesian market snacks. These traditional treats offer a delightful glimpse into the diverse flavors of the archipelago.
Examples include "putu ayu," a soft and fragrant pandan sponge cake often topped with fresh grated coconut, offering a delicate sweetness. Another savory option is "pastel ayam," a flaky pastry filled with seasoned chicken, providing a comforting and flavorful bite. This thoughtful integration of traditional snacks alongside familiar pastries creates a unique and appealing culinary experience for patrons.
Community Embrace: Official Recognition and Cultural Celebration
The grand opening of Hijau Coffee on September 5th was met with significant community enthusiasm and official recognition. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, alongside other local officials, attended the celebration, underscoring the positive impact of new businesses and cultural enterprises on the city’s landscape.
The event was further enriched by captivating cultural performances, including a traditional Balinese dance and a live gamelan ensemble. These performances were not merely entertainment; they were integral to Hijau Coffee’s mission of providing an authentic cultural immersion for attendees, transforming the opening into a vibrant celebration of Indonesian heritage.
Future Horizons: Expanding Indonesia’s Coffee Narrative
Looking ahead, Hijau Coffee is focused on consolidating its presence and expanding its reach. "We are focusing on growing our current store and expanding our customer base so we can continue bringing our Indonesian coffee and flavors to more people," Maria stated. The immediate goal is to refine the cafe’s operations and deepen its connection with the local community.
Beyond their immediate operational goals, Maria and Prawiradjaja harbor a larger ambition: to elevate the profile of Indonesian coffee on a broader scale. "In the future we hope to showcase and draw interest from other coffee shops and roasters in the Bay Area, or even in the U.S., to feature more Indonesian coffee," Maria expressed. This vision positions Hijau Coffee not just as a coffee shop, but as an advocate and ambassador for Indonesian coffee culture, aiming to foster greater appreciation and demand for these exceptional beans across the nation.
Hijau Coffee’s establishment in San Jose represents more than just the opening of a new business; it is a cultural milestone, a testament to the power of passion and heritage, and a promising new chapter in the story of specialty coffee in the United States.
Hijau Coffee is located at 1432 W. San Carlos St., Suite 70, in San Jose, California.
