Introducing The Matcha Social: A New Kiosk at Pearlridge Center
The Matcha Social has made its debut at Pearlridge Center, offering a unique experience centered around matcha.
A delightful new addition has opened at Pearlridge Center: The Matcha Social, a kiosk dedicated to the art of matcha and community bonding. Nestled near Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya in downtown Wai Kai, this cheerful spot is the brainchild of Tamara Chandara, who also co-owns Saap Saap Hawaiʻi, a restaurant known for its innovative Lao fusion dishes.
A Passion for Matcha
Chandara attributes her profound appreciation for matcha to her stepmother, who hails from Japan. This relationship ignited a lifelong passion for this vibrant green beverage. In June 2024, she and her husband launched Saap Saap Hawaiʻi, a venture that imbued her with the confidence to pursue her dream of opening a dedicated matcha café.
“I wanted to create a place where people could enjoy high-quality matcha while catching up with friends,” she explains. Thus, The Matcha Social was born, aiming to cultivate a sense of belonging among its patrons.
The Inspiration Behind the Kiosk
Chandara's journey took an exciting turn when she participated in a pop-up event at Pearlridge Center three months prior to the official opening. The overwhelmingly positive response from the community prompted her to solidify her plans for a permanent space.
“During those busy days, I realized the locals were encouraging me to set up shop here permanently,” she recalls. This enthusiastic feedback pushed her towards creating a cozy kiosk, which she now views as the perfect setting to showcase her love for matcha.
Drinks that Delight
The Matcha Social’s menu boasts an array of delectable matcha and hojicha drinks, each infused with flavors inspired by her favorite desserts. With drink sizes of 16 ounces priced at $9.50 and 20 ounces at $10.75, customers can explore unique offerings like the mango sticky rice matcha. This refreshing drink melds organic mangoes with freshly prepared Thai sticky rice.
Chandara is confident that this drink will win hearts, saying, “It’s like enjoying the beloved dessert in a cup.” She also highlights the banana pudding pie matcha, made with local apple bananas and topped with graham cracker crumbs, adding a pie-like twist to the matcha experience.
Quality Ingredients Matter
At The Matcha Social, quality takes precedence. The matcha is sourced from Honyama in Shizuoka, Japan, ensuring authentic flavor in each sip. Chandara emphasizes that the café aims to be a “matcha-forward café,” where the true essence of matcha shines through in every drink.
Some signature flavors you can look forward to include blueberry cheesecake, infused with organic blueberries and cream cheese, ube cookie butter featuring a housemade ube syrup, and kinako brown sugar. For an extra twist, customers can choose to add pink brown sugar boba to their drinks for an additional 50 cents.
“This pink boba is crafted using 100% natural fruit coloring, free from artificial dyes,” she explains. “The tapioca pearls used are sourced specifically to maintain quality, ensuring the best taste possible.”
Visit The Matcha Social
The kiosk operates Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For those who want to stay updated with new offerings or specials, The Matcha Social can be found on Instagram.
“My family has poured love into this project,” Chandara shares. “My son helped design the kiosk, while my husband continues to support our endeavors at Saap Saap Hawaiʻi. This journey has made the opening particularly special.”
Ultimately, Chandara hopes that everyone who visits leaves feeling welcome and excited to return. “We want our guests to come for the matcha, but also to feel like they are part of a community,” she concludes.
