Nestled behind the Drunken Monk restaurant and hidden from passersby eyes on El Camino Real, Temp & Time is a hidden gem in Menlo Park. Co-owners Suzy* and Kay* have been growing the cafe in Menlo Park after opening in November 2024.
The cafe is known for its fluffy tea-flavored roll cakes, available in flavors such as Black Sesame, Matcha, and Thai Tea. They also serve a variety of drinks and teas, from bubbly Strawberry Yuzu Lemonade to an aromatic Hojicha Latte. One of Temp & Time’s most popular flavors is matcha, seen in both their drinks and cakes. With its minimalist design, peaceful atmosphere, and cozy ambiance, Temp & Time has become a favorite study spot for local students.
Childhood friends Suzy and Kay turned their passion for baking into Temp & Time, inspired by their love of Japanese desserts. “I used to work at a dessert shop, and I was inspired by Japanese desserts in general,” Suzy said. “Kay likes to travel to Asia a lot, and she loves Japanese culture in general. I’ve never been to Japan, so that gave me more interest.”
Through Kay, Suzy learned about the complex and detail-oriented nature of Japanese cuisine. “I didn’t know that there were different grades of matcha. I learned so much about tea,” Suzy said. Based on their unique flavors, Suzy and Kay decided to center Temp & Time’s theme on Japanese delicacy and richness. “Everything is homemade, fresh, and not too sweet,” Suzy added.
Starting a business in Menlo Park has been an exciting and new journey for Suzy and Kay. “I live in San Francisco, so it’s not too far. We chose Menlo Park because there aren’t many Asian-inspired desserts around,” Suzy said. “If this does well, we might open another one in the future.”
At Temp & Time, Suzy and Kay are the only workers, facing the difficulties of owning and running a small business. “We make everything by hand, without massive equipment or anything. We are here from seven in the morning to seven at night.” Suzy said. “We can’t really serve our cakes on plates—it’s hard because we don’t even have a dishwasher,” Kay added.
Food shortages have worsened these difficulties. “There is a matcha shortage and egg shortage. We rely on eggs mainly, so we had to find alternatives,” Suzy said.
Despite these challenges, Suzy and Kay enjoy sharing Temp & Time with the Bay Area and seeing joy on customer faces. “Our customers motivate us each time we get good feedback. It inspires us to do better.” Suzy said. “We both motivate each other. We try to help each other a lot and we’re good partners,” Kay added.
Temp & Time is open from 12-6 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 1438 El Camino Real.
*Suzy and Kay preferred not to have their last names published.
