Alex Pong, once a casualty of the volatile tech industry layoffs, has found his true passion in the aromatic world of coffee. He is shaking up the San Francisco coffee scene with his pop-up, Paper Son Coffee, ensconced within Neighbor Bakehouse in the city's Dogpatch neighborhood. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, Pong serves up a variety that straddles both time-honored classics and daring new concoctions.
As a nod to his family's past as paper sons, Pong aptly names his venture, which stems from a history of Chinese immigrants who used fraudulent documents to claim familial ties to American citizens. This historical gesture is a cool reflection of Pong's joint celebration of heritage and community. His great-great-grandfather's story is a testament to this lineage, "a network of official and non-official relatives," he shared with SF Eater.
The menu at Paper Son Coffee boasts not just a deftly prepared flat white or a robust espresso. Yet, it's Pong's creative twist on beverages, like the light and refreshing Thai Tea Cloud and the effervescent Pandan Aerocano, that have locals buzzing. He takes pride in offering patrons a less saccharine version of Thai iced tea that beholds a creamy decadence and has those seeking refreshment returning in droves. A particular favorite for Pong to whip up is the passionfruit espresso tonic, a tangy and caffeinated adventure he enjoys crafting, Pong told SF Eater.
With the pop-up's operation already begun in August, Pong's eyes are set on the future - he envisions owning a coffee shop that explores the essence of coffee while simultaneously fostering a community. While delving into longer espresso extractions to soften the punchy ristretto shots that San Franciscans are accustomed to, Pong is also contemplating the various ways a cafe space can be utilized beyond the coffee counter. "What are other things you can do with your cafe space? How to build community?" Pong pondered, evidence of his aspirations, as reported by SF Eater.
The principles of Paper Son Coffee extend beyond mere beverage crafting; its ethos, tied intimately with its name, reflects a deeper connection with its clientele. On their website, the team has expressed their commitment to forming genuine relationships through their interactions, mirroring the historical essence of the "paper son" phenomenon. With a focus on both classic and innovative coffee experiences, they invite San Franciscans to join them on a journey towards their own permanent coffee shop, as detailed on their website.
Though the doors of Paper Son Coffee are open only select days of the week, the pop-up has become a fixture for those in search of quality caffeine fixes in San Francisco. You can find Pong's flourishing beverage oasis at 2343 3rd St UNIT 100, San Francisco, with hours listed on their website for those eager to sip on some of the city's finest and most inventive coffee blends.
