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Most people inherit keepsakes; Jocelyn inherited a recipe—and a passion to keep it alive. Join us for an intimate, hands-on session with Jocelyn Loi, founder of All Things Hainanese, as she shares the story behind her family’s iconic Hainanese Yi Bua—a glutinous rice kueh filled with aromatic coconut, peanut, ginger, and sesame.
Participants will not only get a rare opportunity to hear Jocelyn’s heartfelt journey of preserving her late grandmother’s legacy, but also roll up their sleeves to learn the traditional techniques of preparing and shaping Yi Bua by hand—just as Jocelyn and her grandmother did. From kneading the glutinous rice dough to wrapping the filling in banana leaves, you’ll get a true taste of Hainanese heritage.
Expect an engaging afternoon of storytelling, cultural exchange, and kueh-making that connects past to present—one kueh at a time.
Meet Jocelyn Loi, a third-generation Hainanese kueh maker dedicated to preserving the culinary legacy of her late grandmother, Mdm Yeoh Min Lin.
After a successful decade-long career in the hospitality industry, Jocelyn made a bold life pivot in the wake of her grandmother’s sudden passing—a moment that profoundly changed her. Driven by love, memory, and a deep sense of purpose, she left her senior managerial role at a five-star hotel to honour her grandmother’s craft and continue the 45-year family tradition of handmade Hainanese kueh.
Today, Jocelyn co-runs All Things Hainanese at Bras Basah Complex, where she painstakingly prepares yi bua—a traditional Hainanese glutinous rice kueh with a rich coconut, peanut, and ginger filling—just as her grandmother did. She hand-kneads every piece of dough, roasts her own sesame seeds, and blends ginger juice, preserving every step of the original recipe.
For Jocelyn, this is more than a business—it’s a labour of love and a cultural calling. She hopes to inspire more young people to reconnect with their roots and to show that traditional food, though time-consuming to make, is a powerful way to keep heritage alive. Through her work, Jocelyn invites others to taste and share in the story of her family and the Hainanese community in Singapore.
All Things Hainanese was established in September 2020 as a heartfelt tribute to the late Mdm Yeoh Min Lin, a resilient matriarch who built a legacy through food. What began as her humble kaya bread and Yi Bua stall in Toa Payoh grew into Hainan Cuisine & Snacks, a beloved hawker business rooted in tradition and perseverance. Now led by the third generation, All Things Hainanese is dedicated to preserving and promoting Hainanese heritage through food, stories, and community engagement. With Hainanese making up just 8% of Singapore’s Chinese population, the initiative strives to celebrate and sustain the unique cultural identity of this close-knit community for future generations.
Meet Siew Chin, a dedicated volunteer with My Community who plays an active role in both the Community Archives team and My Community Festival. Drawing from her background in the aviation industry, Siew Chin brings a keen eye for detail, steady professionalism, and a deep appreciation for people’s stories. Her involvement supports the organisation’s mission to document and preserve everyday histories from Singapore’s heartland—ensuring that the voices of residents, past and present, are not forgotten but celebrated.
For Siew Chin, volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s about building connections, cherishing memories, and helping to pass on the everyday legacies that make our neighbourhoods feel like home.
Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably and wear covered shoes.
Parking is available at Bras Basah Complex (231 Bain St, Singapore 180231)
Meet My Craftsman
Meet My Craftsman
Meet My Craftsman
Meet My Craftsman
Meet My Craftsman
Meet My Craftsman
