A Visit to Yomie Yogurt, First Purple Rice Yogurt Shop in Southern California

Fro-yo girl here. Will the real Yomie’s Purple Rice Yogurt please stand up? Yomie Yogurt opened in late April in Rowland Heights, CA. Looking at the name and the graphics, they’re clearly trying to associate themselves with the famous Yomie’s from Sydney, Australia. But it seems like they’re just a knock-off and not the real thing. The Yomie’s that opened in Arcadia’s Westfield Santa Anita is part of the real Yomie’s though their signs aren’t the same as the real Yomie’s. Confused?

Anyway, I tried to go to Yomie Yogurt about a month ago and they were closed due to machine maintenance. Argh. I finally made it back. The menu is very similar to Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt, with purple rice yogurt, oats yogurt, durian yogurt, etc. They don’t have the option of adjusting the sweetness level.

Purple rice yogurt ($6): A plain yogurt smoothie with cooked purple rice, it’s not too thick and the sweet, chewy purple rice is pleasant to chew on. Their version is tangier than Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt but the rice is clumpier and not cooked as well as Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt. It wasn’t too sweet or too heavy yet it was substantial. 

You can order online. I ordered inside the store. It wasn’t busy but the drink still took quite some time to make. They must not make their yogurt in the store because the sign says 100% fresh yogurt delivered daily.

It was hard to find any information on Yomie Yogurt but they did write the following, “We focus all our efforts on doing the best, on striving for perfection, and on restoring perfectionism. From "No" to "Yes" rice, yogurt is made from raw materials extracted from fresh milk fermented in California. It is the only yogurt brand designated by the dairy factory and 100% safe to drink. Fruit ingredients imported by air, only stored 2-3 days, truly "fresh, safe, to ensure the taste". We are like you who are successful, or you who are on the way to success. Our attitude, earnestness, delicacy and essence are all deeply rooted in our bones." It’s the only yogurt brand designated by the dairy factory – what does that mean?

I wonder how long it will take the real Yomie’s to sue the fake Yomie’s. Fake Yomie’s is cute inside thanks to the signs that make it look like the real Yomie’s. Also, there’s a cute mural on the exterior wall.

YOMIE YOGURT: 18716 Colima Rd, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt Finally Opens in Arcadia, San Gabriel Next

Fro-yo girl here. Yomie’s Yogurt opened in Rowland Heights in April 2021, becoming the first dedicated purple rice yogurt drink shop in the Los Angeles area. I drove over there a few weeks ago to try it and the shop was closed for maintenance that day. Very disappointing. According to the reviewers, it’s not an authentic Yomie location but a knockoff. The name is certainly very similar to the Australian chain that started the purple rice yogurt craze in Sydney’s Chinatown in late 2018: Yomie’s Yogurt vs. Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt.

The real Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt expanded into multiple countries and just opened branches in California this year. The first US location was in Bellevue, Washington. The California shops are in Arcadia, Millbrae, and San Leandro with locations opening soon in San Gabriel, Westfield Valley Fair (Santa Clara, CA), and Portland, Oregon

They say that they make the yogurt fresh in the store. I noticed there was a big refrigerator that seemed to be being used as a yogurt maker. The other places I had purple rice yogurt did not make their own yogurt.

Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt opened in Westfield Santa Anita on Friday, May 28. They took over the old Matcha Matcha space. Thought they just arrived in SoCal, they were already swamped with orders. They're known for the purple rice x yogurt drinks but also have fresh fruit tea and other yogurt drinks with durian, red bean, oats, jujube, salted egg, avocado, etc. The drinks come in one size and you can specify normal or less sugar.

Purple rice x yogurt ($6.15, less sweet): The sweet purple rice is nice and chewy and the yogurt lightly tangy. I like how the rice wasn't in tiny bits or clumped together. There was also a lot of rice, so every sip had yogurt and rice. The yogurt was a bit mild for me though (like mine tangier). It wasn't an icy slushy, so I liked that too. While I liked the drink, I wouldn't wait an hour for one and it feels a little overpriced. I'd rather have a froyo. But I'll be back to try a few more drinks.

For a history of purple rice yogurt drinks and health benefits, see IFYA’s post, Now Trending: Purple Rice Yogurt Drinks.

* YOMIE’S RICE X YOGURT: 400 S Baldwin Ave, Space 2203, Arcadia, CA 91007

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.