Do you know your Kopi C from your Kopi O? What's a Teh Cino? Whether you’re a local resident or expat in Singapore, ordering your local coffee or tea at a kopitiam is a necessary skill!
Picking up a kopi or teh is the perfect time to embrace Singlish, killing two birds with one stone (but hey, if all you can manage is to procure a drink from the local kopitiam, that’s okay too). While we love a latte from our fave coffee joints (and a babyccino for the little people), it’s hard to beat the pocket-friendly prices of the kopi and teh at our neighbourhood coffee shop! So let us Singaporeans give you the lowdown on all the coffee and tea slangs to know.
What is ‘da bao’, ‘siu dai’ and ‘kosong’?
Before we begin, here are some key terms that you need to know:
- Da bao — take away (say this at the end of your order to indicate you’ll be taking it away!)
- Siu dai — reduced sugar (adding this after your kopi or teh order means you’re getting your caffeine fix a lot less sweet!)
- Kosong — no sugar, please! (add this on if you’re not looking for a sweet fix in your coffee or tea order)
Grab a cuppa and sip through our guide to ordering coffee and tea like a local in Singapore!
How to order your morning kopi in Singapore
In Singapore, coffee isn’t just a beverage; it’s a whole culture! Known as “kopi”, it’s deeply ingrained in the social scene. Move over coffee machines and milk frothers! Traditional coffee is brewed through a sock-like filter, blending finely ground beans with sugar. Leave your usual coffee lingo for latte; in Singapore’s hawker centres, it’s a unique language blend that’s grounds for excitement! We’re dishing on all the slang terms for brewing up your perfect local cuppa’ joe. No need for espressoverwhelm here!
All the kopi lingo you need at the ready:
1. Kopi
This is the go-to drink for most. A standard hot coffee with condensed milk and sugar.
2. Kopi C
Hot coffee with evaporated milk and sugar.
3. Kopi O
Black coffee (without milk) with sugar.
4. Kopi O Kosong
Black coffee (without milk) without sugar.
5. Kopi Siew Dai (if you like it less sweet)
Hot coffee with reduced sugar.
6. Kopi O Siew Dai (black coffee, less sweet)
Black coffee (without milk) with less sugar.
7. Kopi Gah Dai (if you like it sweet)
Hot coffee with condensed milk and more sugar.
8. Kopi Gao (if you like it strong)
Hot coffee with condensed milk and sugar and more coffee powder.
9. Kopi O Gao (strong black coffee)
Black coffee (without milk) with sugar and more coffee powder.
10. Kopi Po (if you like it weak)
Hot coffee with condensed milk and sugar, and less coffee powder.
11. Kopi Di Lo (if you like it really strong)
Hot coffee, extra thick with no water.
12. Kopi Gu You (if you like it salty)
Hot coffee with a bit of butter inside. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!
13. Kopi Ka Koi Nrng (if you’re adventurous)
Hot coffee with an egg inside. Only for those who dare to try!
14. Kopi Pua Sio
Black coffee with some hot water replaced with room temperature water.
15. Kopi Peng
Iced coffee with condensed milk.
16. Yuan Yang (if you want the best of both worlds)
An amazing combination of coffee and tea. A double dose of caffeine, if you will!
How to order your daily cup of tea (teh) in Singapore
For those who prefer steeping in the serene world of tea over the bustling realm of coffee, here’s the tea about teh!
1. Teh
Hot tea, with condensed milk and sugar.
2. Teh C
Hot tea, with evaporated milk and sugar.
3. Teh O
Hot tea (without milk) with sugar.
4. Teh O Kosong
Hot tea without milk or sugar.
5. Teh Siew Dai
Hot tea with reduced sugar.
6. Teh Tarik
Pulled hot tea, with condensed milk and sugar. Usually served at Indian or Malay stalls.
7. Teh O Tarik
Pulled hot tea, with only sugar.
8. Teh Halia
Pulled hot tea, with condensed milk, sugar and ginger. Great for digestion.
9. Teh Cino
Condensed milk and water as the base, with pulled hot tea filling up the rest of the cup.
10. Teh Ice Limau
Ice lemon tea! Also known as Clementi because the two terms rhyme.
How to order Milo in Singapore
Milo isn’t just a beverage; it’s Singapore’s national treasure! And this choco-malty delight isn’t just for the kiddos. Folks of all ages go bananas for it. What gives Milo its mojo in Singapore? The inventive concoctions, of course! From Milo-Dino to Godzilla, here are some roar-some ways we sip on this beloved brew:
1. Milo Kosong
Without milk and sugar.
2. Milo Dinosaur
With ice, condensed milk and sugar, sprinkled with Milo powder.
3. Milo Godzilla
With ice, condensed milk and sugar, a scoop of ice cream, plus toppings.
4. Milo Cino
Milo meets cappuccino. Milo is topped with frothed milk like a cappuccino.
5. Neslo
More of an adult milo, the Neslo includes instant coffee powder. It’s giving malted mocha!
Other kopitiam classics to try!
The brew-haha about kopitiam drinks isn’t just about coffee, tea and milo; there are more beloved classics that you must try when going local:
1. Michael Jackson
Soy milk with black grass jelly, AKA Michael Jackson, is a hit among Singaporeans and tourists. Named after the King of Pop himself, can you guess why?
2. Bandung
Bandung is a delightful concoction of evaporated or condensed milk jazzed up with rose syrup, painting it a pretty pink hue. It’s like sipping on a rosy dream!
3. Horlicks
Horlicks is another malted milk beverage that tastes like a hug in a mug. Its smooth and comforting taste makes it a popular choice for both young and old. Served hot or cold.
Where to get your fix of kopi and teh in Singapore
Now that you’ve got the lingo down pat, why not flaunt your newfound know-how at these highly recommended local hotspots? Besides neighbourhood coffee shops and hawker centres, you can also check out these local coffee chains to get your fix.
1. Toast Box
Step into Toast Box, and you’ll be transported back to the 1960s when the aroma of kopi filled the air, and freshly toasted bread was the breakfast of champions.
Where: outlets all over the island
2. Ya Kun Kaya Toast
Serving a humble fare of coffee, tea, egg, and toast, Ya Kun Kaya Toast exemplifies how less can be more. Ya Kun is undoubtedly the go-to coffee shop for your local caffeine fix.
Where: outlets all over the island
3. Killiney Kopitiam
Founded in 1919 by Hainanese immigrants along the bustling streets of Killiney Road, this Singapore-based chain is your go-to spot for classic kopitiam delights.
Where: outlets all over the island
4. Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
Tuck into old-school bakes and traditional drinks at this iconic Katong bakery cafe.
Where: 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903
5. Fun Toast
Step into Fun Toast and enter the nostalgic world of Hainanese coffee houses. Their menu features a dizzying array of coffees, teas, and more.
Where: outlets all over the island
So now you know! That’s how you order coffee and tea like a local in Singapore.