Merdeka has always been about unity; Malaysians of all backgrounds coming together to celebrate the spirit of independence. This year, Inside Scoop is celebrating that same spirit of togethernessin the sweetest way possible: through ice cream.
Inside Scoop’s much-loved Lokal Legends collection returns for its second edition, bringing with it six nostalgic flavours co-created with iconic Malaysian brands that have been part of our everyday lives.
Few things capture the essence of growing up in Malaysia quite like slipping a Gardenia Twiggies into a school bag, catching the familiar aroma of GSC popcorn during teenage movie outings, or savouring that first sip of Zus Coffee you can finally afford as an adult.
Inside Scoop has transformed these nostalgic moments into creamy flavours, perfectly timed for the Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations.
Founded in Bangsar in 2013, Inside Scoop has made its mark with over 200 flavours inspired by local tastes, staying true to its philosophy of crafting ice cream “born in Malaysia, made for Malaysians.” Now, the brand pays homage to flavours tied to the nation’s everyday life, blending tradition, nostalgia and indulgence in six new creations.
The flavours of lokal legends 2025
- Gardenia’s Twiggies Choc-A-Lot: A creamy milk chocolate base with generous chunks of Twiggies, giving a scoopable taste of childhood.
- GSC’s Caramel Popcorn: Popcorn ice cream swirled with salted caramel and buttered pecans, echoing the joy of weekend movie nights.
- Julie’s Le-mond Lemon: Zesty lemon ice cream paired with Julie’s signature sandwich crackers and a citrus ripple.
- Beryl’s 'Gula Melaka' Chocolate: A decadent mix of chocolate and gula melaka, layered with crunchy chocolate and crumble.
- ZusCoffee’s Spanish Latte: Espresso milk ice cream infused with condensed milk and crunchy chocolate-coated cones.
- Farm Fresh’s Choco Malt Kaw: A richer, bolder twist on the nostalgic malt drink, with fudgy swirls and crunchy malt soil.
Inside Scoop Co-Founder Edmund Tan described this year’s Lokal Legends as a heartfelt tribute to Malaysia. Together with his wife, Lim Shiew Li, who co-founded the brand with him, they take pride in partnering with beloved names that many Malaysians grew up with.
From classic movie-night treats to nostalgic childhood snacks, they have reimagined these favourites into creations that are uniquely their own. Each scoop is handcrafted in Malaysia, celebrating the creativity and community spirit that lie at the heart of Inside Scoop.
“Last year, we introduced four flavours in celebration of Hari Merdeka. Guided by our philosophy of continuous improvement, we have gone further this year by bringing the total to six new flavours,” Lim said.
Edmund, meanwhile, explained the reasoning behind the selection of brands and flavours for this year’s Lokal Legends. He shared that there are countless local players, flavours and brands that they genuinely enjoy.
In celebration of Hari Merdeka and Hari Malaysia, Inside Scoop aimed to honour that diversity by spotlighting local tastes and homegrown names.
“The inspiration behind selecting these six brands lies in their nostalgic value, each is part of Malaysia’s food and beverage culture. Take Twinkies, for instance: it is a bread familiar to nearly every Malaysian, something we have grown up eating from childhood into adulthood,” he said.
Lim continued and said that GSC popcorn evokes the nostalgia of cinema outings, whether watching a movie with friends or going on a date, creating memories that many can relate to and cherish.
“Alongside these classics, newer brands like Zus Coffee and Farm Fresh have also become part of today’s experience. We aim to feature a diverse mix that includes premium options, brands known for their quality and products we genuinely enjoy,” she mentioned.
Both of them hope this collaboration will spark lasting memories while embodying the spirit of unity—brands uniting, Malaysians coming together, all celebrating Hari Merdeka as one.
They added that it also stands as a reminder of the ability of Malaysian brands to produce outstanding products, and that it is something Malaysians should take pride in.
My taste test: Six scoops, six stories
At the official launch, I sampled each flavour without toppings to appreciate their original profiles. Here is my honest take:
- GSC’s Caramel Popcorn: My personal favourite. Light in texture yet full in flavour, with a caramel aftertaste that lingers beautifully without overwhelming sweetness. A perfect balance.
- ZusCoffee’s Spanish Latte: Smooth, creamy and mildly caffeinated. Even non-coffee drinkers may find this enjoyable, thanks to its subtle coffee notes.
- Julie’s Le-mond Lemon: Surprisingly pleasant for someone who does not usually favour sourness. It reminded me of a richer, less tangy version of Wall's Selero Split Lime and Vanilla ice cream, with a well-balanced finish.
- Beryl’s 'Gula Melaka' Chocolate: Creamy, chocolate-forward with just a whisper of ‘gula melaka’ at the tip of the tongue. Not overpowering but deeply enjoyable for those who love smooth chocolate.
- Gardenia’s Twiggies Choc-A-Lot: Expectations were high, given Twiggies’ cult status. The flavour leaned more towards dark chocolate with a slight bitterness, enjoyable but perhaps not as rich as Beryl’s version.
- Farm Fresh’s Choco Malt Kaw: True to its name — bold and ‘kaw.’ The richness makes it fill quickly, which may overwhelm lighter palates. Perfect for those who prefer robust chocolate with a dark edge.
If I had to rank them overall:
- GSC’s Caramel Popcorn
- ZusCoffee’s Spanish Latte
- Beryl’s 'Gula Melaka' Chocolate
- Gardenia’s Twiggies Choc-A-Lot
- Julie’s Le-mond Lemon
- Farm Fresh’s Choco Malt Kaw
Where to find them
The Lokal Legends 2025 collection will be available at all Inside Scoop outlets nationwide from Aug 18 to Sept 21. Each scoop comes in a special cup sleeve designed with the partner brand’s colours or you can enjoy all six together in a limited-edition Party Pack priced at RM68.