Kopitiam

Definition

Hokkien term for Coffee Shop

• Kopi: Coffee
• Tiam: (hokkien) 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