The Matcha Social just opened a kiosk at Pearlridge Center. The business is located in Wai Kai (downtown) by Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya.
Business owner Tamara Chandara — who also runs Saap Saap Hawaiʻi, which specializes in Lao fusion, with her husband — says her love of matcha came from her stepmother, who is from Japan.
“Through her, I developed an appreciation for matcha that has stayed with me throughout my life,” she says. “My husband and I started Saap Saap Hawaiʻi in June 2024, and that experience gave me the confidence to pursue something close to my heart.”
While Saap Saap featured a basic matcha option, Chandara says she wanted to create a matcha cafe where people could meet, catch up with friends, and feel a sense of belonging. During the last six months, she started getting more serious about her matcha cafe business idea.
“‘The Matcha Social’ reflects my vision — bringing people together over a shared love of matcha and turning new faces into familiar ones,” she says.
About three months ago, Chandara participated in a weekend pop-up at Pearlridge Center, and the community’s response encouraged her to take the next step for The Matcha Social. At the time, she says she wasn’t thinking about finding a permanent space for her business.
“Throughout the two busy days, customers kept encouraging me to open a permanent location here,” she says. “Their enthusiasm gave me the confidence to go all-in and make Pearlridge our home.
“I wanted a small space; I didn’t want anything too big,” she adds, noting that the kiosk was ideal.
The Matcha Social’s menu features a variety of matcha and hojicha drinks, from classics to signature flavors that are inspired by her favorite desserts. Customers can choose from 16-ounce ($9.50) or 20-ounce ($10.75) drink sizes.
“I expect our mango sticky rice matcha to be a favorite at Pearlridge,” she says. “It combines matcha with organic mangoes and freshly prepared Thai sticky rice, bringing the flavors of the beloved dessert into a drink.
“Across our menu, we prioritize high-quality ingredients and use organic and locally sourced options whenever possible,” she adds. “We prepare our toppings and specialty ingredients fresh in-house.”
Chandara also recommends the banana pudding pie matcha.
“I use local apple bananas; it gives it that different taste,” she says. “I tried making it with regular bananas; it didn’t taste as good. It’s topped with toasted graham cracker crumbs, so it’s like a pie.”
The business’s matcha is sourced from Honyama, Shizuoka (Japan), according to Chandara, who explains the business is a “matcha-forward cafe.”
“This means we create our drinks so the matcha’s flavor shines through the milk and toppings,” she says. “Even in our signature flavors, we want our customers to taste and appreciate the matcha in every sip.”
Other flavors include blueberry cheesecake — made with organic blueberries and cream cheese filling — ube cookie butter, complete with a housemade ube syrup, and kinako brown sugar.
Customers also have the option to add pink brown sugar boba (additional 50 cents) to their drinks. The pink boba is made with 100% natural fruit coloring and no artificial colors or dyes, according to Chandara.
“The boba (for this) has to be a specific boba,” she says. “If you get other tapioca pearls from the store, it doesn’t come out the same. I order mine from a specific wholesaler.”
The 16-ounce drinks usually include 6 grams of matcha, while the 20-ounce drinks include 7 grams. The matcha buckets ($15) include 10 grams of matcha, according to Chandara. Customers can also add extra matcha ($1 per gram) to their drinks.
The Matcha Social is currently open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and form 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. For updates, follow the biz on Instagram.
“The Matcha Social is a family effort,” Chandara says. “My son and I designed and worked on the kiosk together, and my husband has been a constant source of support while continuing to work hard on the Saap Saap Hawaiʻi side of our business. Seeing this come together made this opening especially meaningful.
“I’m grateful for everyone who encouraged us along the way,” she adds. “My hope is that people come for the matcha and leave feeling welcomed — and excited to come back.”
CONTACT
The Matcha Social
Pearlridge Center
98-1005 Moanalua Road, ʻAiea
thematchasocialhi.square.site
Instagram: @thematchasocial_hi
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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