New Ardmore dessert shop Chums offers tanghulu and TikTok-inspired dry yogurt bowls.

In a vibrant resurgence of nostalgic treats, Chums, a dessert shop located at 45 E. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore, offers an innovative twist on popular treats that have recently gained traction on social media platforms. Opened in August by Gen-Z entrepreneur Grace Yang, Chums specializes in two distinctive offerings: dry yogurt, a strained and ultra-thick version of traditional yogurt, and tanghulu, which are sugar-dipped fruit skewers emerging as sought-after snacks.

Yang’s culinary venture is inspired by her childhood experiences in Shanghai, where street vendors offered sweet candied fruits, and the American frozen yogurt landscape that provided her with joyful moments during her upbringing on the Main Line. As social media platforms increasingly highlight these culinary trends, Yang has strategically embraced them to captivate a health-conscious younger audience.

Chums features a diverse menu that includes crepes, yogurt drinks, smoothies, and a create-your-own-bowl concept where patrons can combine their preferred yogurt or sorbet with various toppings, including gummy bears, fresh fruit, and chocolate sauce. The focal points, however, are the tanghulu and colorful bowls of strained yogurt.

The popularity of tanghulu surged on platforms like TikTok and RedNote during 2023, with videos showcasing users either enjoying this crunchy delicacy or attempting to recreate it at home, often leading to humorous outcomes. In the summer of 2024, the trend of “dry yogurt” also took hold, with users sharing their experiences straining store-bought yogurt for an extended period to achieve a thicker consistency.

At Chums, tanghulu is prepared by boiling sugar and water to create a coating for fruit such as strawberries and grapes, which are then chilled for optimal crunch. Offered at for a single skewer or for two, these treats have quickly become favorites among customers drawn to their visually appealing presentation, heavily influenced by the aesthetics favored by social media users.

Chums’ unique take on yogurt involves an intricate straining process that yields an ultra-thick product. Yang articulated that this technique extracts excess liquid, resulting in yogurt that is higher in protein and lower in lactose than its conventional counterparts. The establishment sources approximately 2,000 pounds of milk weekly to keep up with demand, producing only five pounds of yogurt from every 100 pounds of milk used.

Yang’s background in art and design enhances the visual appeal of each yogurt bowl, with meticulous arrangements of fruits and toppings that make each dish feel like an artistic creation. Each bowl emphasizes balance and symmetry, designed to impress not just in taste but also in its Instagrammable presentation.

As Chums continues to attract a predominantly college-age clientele, Yang emphasizes the importance of creating a warm, inviting environment that encourages social connections. The shop’s name, derived from the term “chum,” reflects this friendly ethos of camaraderie.

Chums aims to be more than just a dessert shop; it is a communal space where friends can gather, enjoy unique culinary delights, and create lasting memories. As trends in food continue to evolve, Chums stands at the forefront, offering a delicious blend of childhood nostalgia and contemporary culinary artistry.

Chums is located at 45 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore; for more information, visit chumsardmore.com.