{"id":316243,"date":"2026-05-14T23:46:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T23:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/316243\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T23:46:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T23:46:10","slug":"elk-groves-sarap-society-puts-filipino-flavors-on-the-map-the-state-hornet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/316243\/","title":{"rendered":"Elk Grove\u2019s Sarap Society puts Filipino flavors on the map \u2013 The State Hornet"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not every day that going out for coffee or a light snack meant visiting the barista\u2019s home, but for Elk Grove\u2019s Sarap Society<\/a> pop-up last Saturday, the front doors were open for caf\u00e9 fanatics to discover what they had in store.<\/p>\n

Entering the home, it offered a familiar, welcoming feeling resonant of most Asian households: shoes and slippers left by the doormat, children playing in the living room, parents chatting away with drinks in hand and young adults crowding around tables discussing schoolwork and their social lives. One glance at the kitchen, and customers realize that the space is the perfect split of both a Filipino gathering space and a Sacramento caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Behind the kitchen counter \u2013\u00a0which was refurbished to display the pop-up\u2019s humble menu of refreshing drinks and quick bites \u2013\u00a0were business owners Alaia and Knoble Tankiamco. Alaia, who worked in various culinary jobs ranging from restaurants to catering gigs for the past eight years, is the business\u2019 homecook. Knoble, who previously moved from his five-year job as a server in a Japanese restaurant to a manager at a caf\u00e9 in Berkeley, is the barista.<\/p>\n

\"\"The \u201cNine-Oh 7,\u201d a mango matcha coconut cloud, and the \u201cPocketfull of Sunshine,\u201d a corned beef, onion and boiled egg-stuffed puff pastry, are two of the menu items offered at the Sarap Society pop-up Saturday, May 9, 2026. Other items included a tropical refresher, a coffee oreo iced latt\u00e9, a white chocolate coconut iced latt\u00e9, a croissant cinnamon roll and a mushroom adobo tartine. (Photo by Giancarlo Diloy<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The couple, who both initially met in Elk Grove\u2019s Sheldon High School, moved in together in the Bay Area for nearly 15 years before moving back to their hometown to pursue their dreams of starting a business together. Alaia and Knoble shared their experiences in restaurants and caf\u00e9s, such as San Francisco\u2019s now-closed Sweet Woodruff, before following the endeavor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe actually worked at a caf\u00e9 together in San Francisco called Sweet Woodruff and kind of fell in love with the concept of an open kitchen and serving the community at the same time,\u201d Alaia said.<\/p>\n

The duo moved back to Elk Grove after the COVID-19 pandemic to receive closer support from friends and to offer a new caf\u00e9 culture to Sacramento \u2013\u00a0one that isn\u2019t just another viral matcha latt\u00e9 joint. Knoble said that there is a lack of representation in coffee cultures outside of the traditional espresso. Alaia added on, suggesting that the business will also introduce lesser-known flavors and dishes, like Turon, a caramelized Filipino spring roll dessert, into the market.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone just thinks of ube \u2013\u00a0we\u2019re much more than that,\u201d Alaia said. \u201c[We\u2019re] also gearing more towards meals, also, not just snacks; twists on Kare-kare, Sinigang, the good stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since Filipino dishes and desserts are less prominent to most caf\u00e9 enjoyers as other Asian cuisines, the couple recognized the obstacles that come with introducing the culture. Alaia believed that taking on the challenge of marketing their business to Sacramento and Elk Grove is worth the representation and \u201cpushing people\u2019s taste buds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of the food is brown in the Philippines, so [we\u2019re] kind of twisting that. How can you incorporate that with everything else?\u201d Alaia said. \u201cIt\u2019s a challenge. We like to challenge ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Alaia Tankiamco stands behind the counter of her home as she serves one of the many customers attending the Sarap Society pop-up Saturday, May 9, 2026. The pop-up, which required an RSVP, was fully booked over a week before the event. (Photo by Giancarlo Diloy<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Among the attendees of the pop-up were another couple, Stefan and Jasmine Francisco, who sat near the countertop that the Tankiamcos were serving from. Jasmine knew the couple from high school, whereas Stefan knew them from a faith youth group they had partaken in 12 years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re both friends with both Alaia and Knoble, but we did first see [the pop-up] on Instagram,\u201d Jasmine said. \u201cThey actually mentioned something,\u00a0a month or two ago, that they\u2019ve always wanted to open up their coffee shop. It was pretty cool to see this little pop-up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Stefan and Jasmine expressed excitement for where the business will take the Tankiamcos in the future. It was clear that what the Tankiamcos built in their home was more than just a gathering of culinary and caf\u00e9 enthusiasts but a supportive, family-like community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see the success of it all,\u201d Stefan said. \u201cI already see that they took the first base to build this community.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: Sacramento\u2019s entrepreneurial youth: How two business owners are redefining what \u2018third spaces\u2019 can look like<\/a><\/p>\n

After being residents of the Bay Area for over a decade, the Tankiamcos were open to various options of where to officially establish a physical business, whether it be resettling in San Jose, where local immigrant caf\u00e9s, restaurants and popups are common<\/a>,\u00a0or remaining in the Sacramento area. In the meantime, the couple wanted to further immerse themselves in the community of other local businesses from the area.<\/p>\n

District 56<\/a>, a 56-acre community park located in Elk Grove, is one of many other creative spaces that hosts frequent events to spotlight local businesses, cultures and entertainment, such as the park\u2019s Annual Asian Pacific Culturefest<\/a> this weekend. The couple expressed their interest in participating in the park\u2019s events in the future, along with other opportunities held throughout the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe definitely want to do more events around the community. We want to hit the Midtown Farmer\u2019s Market, collaborate with other small businesses, and other small markets,\u201d Alaia said.<\/p>\n

It was apparent that the couple\u2019s ideas for nurturing and growing the business knew no bounds.\u00a0After all, it was only the beginning.<\/p>\n

\u201ctay tuned. We definitely have a bunch of stuff coming for the rest of the year,\u201d Alaia said, laughing happily in anticipation of the plan. \u201cIt\u2019s summer, so there [are] lots of plans. This is like our first baby, so we\u2019re very excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although the business\u2019 next event is still to be decided, the couple encouraged those interested in Sarap Society to follow their Instagram<\/a> for updates.<\/p>\n