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. Nicole Lian, managing director at Tiap Tiap, said the decision to partner with Yo-Chi came naturally.

“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.

Don't miss: Ready to ride into 2026? Find out what the Year of the Horse has in store

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.

“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,” Lian explained. She added 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.

Lian noted that the collaboration has attracted audiences across generations. “Yo-Chi’s audience may skew younger, but we’ve loved seeing families enjoy the experience together, as well as our existing customers trying Yo-Chi for the first time.” She emphasised that heritage matters only 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 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.

Showcase your most innovative content and gain recognition from a panel of industry leaders by entering the inaugural Content360 Awards. Submit your work today and be part of the celebration that honours the campaigns defining the future of content marketing.

Related articles: 
TBB twists tradition with bak kwa kouign amann this CNY      
Australian Pork reframes CNY prosperity beyond the size of the feast    
KFC SG fires up CNY with Lady Huat, new merch and mala heat