Kopitiam

Definition

Hokkien term for Coffee Shop

Kopi: Coffee Tiam: Shop

Description and History

Traditional kopitiams have marble-top wooden-base tables, and wooden chairs. They are usually found on the ground-level of two-storey shophouses.

Modern-day kopitiams are also known as food courts, and are usually located in shopping centres, and serve a variety of international fare.

Kopitiam Lingo

Traditional kopitiams have a variety of lingo which vary from place to place. A non-exhaustive list of commonly-used terms follows:

Drinks

Kopi: Coffee Teh: Tea, usually prepared with tea-dust, does not come in a tea-bag Diao He: (hokkien for Fishing) Tea, the tea-bag variety Tak Kiu: (hokkien for Kicking Ball) Milo Horlick: Horlicks A Hua Tien: Ovaltine Shi-Pee: Sprite

Customization (for Coffee, Tea, and other hot drinks)

Kosong: (malay for Zero) No sugar Siu Dai: Less sugar See: Carnation Milk Oh: No milk Peng: (hokkien) With ice Pau: (hokkien for packet) Take-away