The presence of pandan is proliferating along the Peninsula
Ube had a mega-viral moment about a decade back, and it still draws in foodies with its vibrant purple hue and mild nutty flavor. It’s become a staple flavor at coffee shops (think Covour Coffee’s dirty ube or Hatched’s coconut ube latte), cocktail bars (such as Wunderbar’s Dreamcatcher or Hula Hoop’s ube pina colada) and bakeries (like Cafe 86’s entire menu and Temp & Time’s ube Basque cheesecakes).
But after 10 years in the spotlight, another Southeast Asian flavor is making its way to the mainstream: pandan. This vibrant green leaf gives a wonderfully nutty, grassy and floral flavor, and, dare I say it, I like it more than ube.
This week, I talked with a variety of eateries offering pandan in various applications on their menus to learn more about the ingredient.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
This Southeast Asian ingredient is leading the next flavor trend in Silicon Valley
A fragrant green leaf is taking over coffee, cocktail and dessert menus along the Peninsula. Pandan – a sweet, grassy and floral ingredient often called the “vanilla of Southeast Asia” – is the latest flavor to go mainstream in Silicon Valley.
Laughing Monk grows its footprint, more matcha cafes and an upcoming Mountain View foodie event
- San Francisco-based Laughing Monk Brewing recently expanded to Los Altos and will soon open in Campbell.
- Adding to a list of growing Silicon Valley matcha cafes, Bonbon Matcha plans to debut early June in Cupertino.
- Kusan Bazaar, a Uyghur restaurant in Mountain View and San Jose, recently expanded to San Mateo.
- Two Asian restaurants recently opened in San Mateo: Inshou Dim Dim Noodle has replaced Shugetsu, and Bao Express opened in the former Shiki Japanese Restaurant.
- Golden Wang Donkatsu, a Korean katsu restaurant, recently opened in the former Damso footprint in Santa Clara.
- Early-bird pricing for Taste of Mountain View tickets is now available. The downtown Mountain View food, wine and beer walk will be June 17 from 4-8 p.m.
- The Lighthouse Cafe in South San Francisco recently rebranded to Timber + Tide, offering fewer vegan options and more international flavors, according to The Mercury News.
- Tan-Cha in Santa Clara recently rebranded to September Coffee House.
- New Indian restaurant Avakai & Co. recently opened in the former space of Charminar Express in Sunnyvale.
- Hat Viet Coffee, a Vietnamese coffee pop-up established last year, is now selling at the San Mateo Farmers Market.
Ceviche at Emelina’s Plus
I usually go home with plenty of leftovers after eating out at restaurants, but at Emelina’s, the ceviche is so good I did something I seldom do: devoured the entire portion. (And yes, I entered a ceviche coma, but it was worth it.)
Emelina’s Peruvian Restaurant was first established in 2011 in San Carlos, expanding to Santa Clara in 2023 and Sunnyvale in 2024 under the name Emelina’s Plus. I recently dined at Emelina’s Plus, which features a simple, homey ambiance with an exposed brick wall, open kitchen and tables covered with classic white tablecloths.
The menu offers a variety of Peruvian classics, but the item you must not skip is the ceviche clasico, featuring plenty of fresh fish, a bright, zingy and slightly spicy leche de tigre, sweet potatoes, tender Peruvian corn, sharp red onions and crispy corn nuts ($22). I have no critiques for this ceviche – it was perfect for my palate. Not only that, it’s a generous portion for just $22.
I will absolutely be returning to Emelina’s the next time I’m ravenous for ceviche and look forward to returning to my ceviche coma.
Emelina’s Plus, 100 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale; 669-248-5107. Open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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