A cult frozen yoghurt chain has Australians queuing for hours for the chance to try its famous flavour-packed desserts.
Yo Chi has exploded across the country since first opening in Melbourne in 2012, with branches in five states, and a new Queensland location is set to open today in Burleigh Heads.
The popular candy store has gone viral on Instagram and TikTok for its premium frozen yogurt and açai with customizable, seasonal toppings.
Fans of the chain are happy to wait up to two hours to enjoy the sweet treats and “good vibes,” with crowds out front a regular feature, even in the cold winter weather.
“Worth every minute of waiting,” said one fan.
“Yeah, clubbing is great, but have you ever been to Yo-Chi’s on a Thursday night at 8:30pm?” another woman joked.
This lively frozen yogurt destination currently offers five flavors made fresh daily: Signature Tart, Salted Caramel, Classic Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry Cream.
There is also a seasonal range with flavours such as cookies and cream, green tea and mango and a dairy-free coconut yoghurt.
Queues outside Melbourne’s Yo-Chi store can reach a two-hour wait, even in winter
Yo-Chi’s frozen yogurt is made daily in classic and seasonal flavors and is also available in gluten-free and dairy-free options.
“An incredibly delicious frozen yogurt,” said one fan.
“This is my first time trying Yo-Chi and it definitely lives up to expectations,” another agreed.
The buffet-style toppings bar is where the self-serve frozen yogurt experience reaches new heights, with an impressive array of healthy, decadent and colorful toppings and sauces.
Peanut butter, chocolate brownie, Biscoff, chocolate dirt, Oreo cookies, Malteasers, peanut butter and dark chocolate sauce are some of the more intense ways to top your frozen yogurt or açai.
Those looking for something fresher can opt for watermelon with mint, strawberries, kiwi, mango pearls and exotic lychee.
Yo-Chi traffic light location in South Australia
Ultimate Pistachio Papi topping was a cult favorite among fans.
Yo-Chi also offers self-serve açai that fans have called divine.
“It’s the best açai in Melbourne,” one man said.
Yo-Chi’s Brooke Rodger told FEMAIL that the chain’s popularity is due to the high quality and variety of ingredients.
“Customization is everything… creating what makes you happy means you can have as much or as little yogurt as you want, with toppings as healthy or as indulgent as you like,” she added.
The hot spot consumes no less than 80 tons of strawberries a year.
An Australian woman waited 45 minutes in the nightclub atmosphere of Yo-Chi for her frozen yogurt.
Yo-Chi’s açai is a great option for those who don’t enjoy frozen yogurt. Topped with fresh fruit and peanut butter sauce, it’s a firm fan favorite.
“There’s nothing better than fresh, seasonal fruit. Strawberries are one of our most popular ingredients 12 months a year, and depending on the season, we also have dragon fruit, figs and finger limes,” Brooke said.
Yo-Chi’s dedication to “good vibes” even extends to his spelling.
“We purposely wrote the word yogurt without the H. We felt it would be a mistake to have such a positive brand with the word ‘hurt’ in it,” Brooke added.
Fans of the network couldn’t stop praising how wonderful it is.
“Totally underrated, prices are quite reasonable… great ambiance and atmosphere inside, and an excellent variety of different ingredients and flavors,” one man said.
While people thought Yo-Chi’s fro-yo might be a bit pricey, most agreed that the freshness and selection of ingredients was so high that the price was well justified.
However, not all Yo-Chi fans are happy with how popular the network has become.
“Nothing breaks my heart more than seeing the huge line outside Yo-Chi,” one man said.
