Why Yo-Chi's first local collab is a sweet spin on CNY tradition

This Chinese New Year, Yo-Chi is turning familiar festive flavours into an interactive frozen yoghurt experience with its first-ever collaboration with a homegrown brand.

The partnership with local Peranakan-inspired bakery Tiap Tiap brings heritage-driven toppings to Yo-Chi’s build-your-own froyo concept, highlighting a growing trend of larger brands spotlighting founder-led food businesses. Amy Bell, co-owner of Yo-Chi Singapore, said the decision to collaborate was a natural fit.

“We’ve had incredible support from the local community since launching in Singapore, and we see Yo-Chi as a platform that can spotlight local, founder-led brands in a way that feels natural for our guests. Collaborations cut through the noise when they’re built on genuine fit, and we knew right away that Tiap Tiap’s authenticity and craft is something we want to bring to our toppings bar.”

Nicole Lian, managing director at Tiap Tiap, echoed the sentiment. “We are so excited to be working with Yo-Chi, and all the responses we’ve received from our loyal customers and new fans alike have given us conviction that this was the right move. We don’t say yes unless there is true brand parity. This means a shared commitment to quality and storytelling.” She added that Yo-Chi’s strong community and operational capabilities made it an ideal partner to bring Tiap Tiap’s heritage flavours into a contemporary format.

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For the collaboration, Tiap Tiap adapted two nostalgic CNY favourites for swirl-friendly froyo enjoyment: cubed orange chiffon cake, easy to mix through frozen yoghurt, and crisp Nyonya love letters, reminiscent of snacking from the tin during festive visits.

Bell said the flavours were chosen for their instant appeal with guests while remaining culturally anchored. “Orange chiffon is instantly recognisable for Chinese New Year, and love letters bring a heritage element that is familiar and photogenic,” she said.

Lian explained the development process. “We started with the non-negotiables: keeping the recipe integrity and premium ingredients intact. Our orange chiffon is usually enjoyed as cake slices, but we shifted to tray-bake and cubed pieces so guests can easily scoop, swirl, and top their frozen yogurt,” she said, adding that the biggest challenge was ensuring the toppings still felt elevated and intentional, rather than a simple copy-paste of festive flavours.

The two toppings were chosen for their cultural resonance and sensory experience. “Orange is naturally tied to Chinese New Year as a symbol for auspiciousness. Our chiffon brings more dimension than people expect, including texture beyond just a soft cake. Love letters offer a crisp bite and a Peranakan reference everyone can enjoy. We considered other directions, but these two were the strongest bridge between heritage and mainstream appeal,” Lian said.

The limited-edition toppings pair with Yo-Chi’s frozen yoghurts, made from real Australian milk and rotated across 10 flavours, alongside Singapore-exclusive toppings such as coconut jelly, nata de coco, and mango popping pearls. Fan favourites such as chocolate chunk cookie cake and chocolate fudge brownie squares are also available.

Bell highlighted how the collaboration resonates across generations. “Yo-Chi serves audiences across generations. Younger guests love novelty and Instagrammable drops. Older guests connect deeply with nostalgia and heritage flavours. The sweet spot is when a Gen Z guest introduces their parents to Yo-Chi, and everyone builds something different from the same topping bar.” Lian added that maintaining heritage integrity was key. “Heritage only matters if executed with integrity, protecting the essence of the recipes while translating them into new formats.”

The collaboration was celebrated at a community event at Yo-Chi, featuring a discussion between Sophia Yeow and Yo-Chi founder Amy Bell on building meaningful partnerships. In an Instagram post, Tiap Tiap wrote, “This milestone is bigger than just us. It’s proof that local brands can dream big, support each other, and create something meaningful together.”

The collaboration also builds on Yo-Chi’s broader strategy of local engagement. Bell said, “When we launched Yo-Chi in Singapore, the goal was to honour our Australian roots while giving it local relevance. Collaborations like this are part of our way of thanking Singapore for the support and elevating local brands. The success of Tiap Tiap strengthens our resolve to continue seeking other ‘Yes’ brands.”

The special CNY toppings are available in Yo-Chi Singapore outlets from 9 to 28 February 2026, while stocks last.

This collaboration builds on Yo-Chi’s Singapore debut last August, which saw the brand turn to influencer agency Kobe to drive its launch. The campaign leveraged over 90 food and lifestyle creators to showcase Yo-Chi’s self-serve, interactive frozen yoghurt format, highlighting premium ingredients, weight-based pricing, and Instagram-worthy moments.

Founded in Melbourne’s Balaclava district in 2012, Yo-Chi is known for its self-serve frozen yoghurt concept, designed to inspire creativity and positive energy. The brand plans further Southeast Asia expansion while maintaining its focus on quality, sustainability, and community engagement.

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