Kopitiam

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Definition[edit]

Hokkien term for Coffee Shop

  • Kopi: Coffee
  • Tiam: (hokkien) Shop

Description and History[edit]

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[edit]

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

Drinks[edit]

  • Kopi: Coffee
  • Teh: Tea, usually prepared with tea-dust, does not come in a tea-bag
  • Diao Her: (hokkien for Fishing) Tea, the tea-bag variety (usually Lipton [1] or Rickshaw brand)
  • Tak Kiu: (hokkien for Kicking Ball) Milo [2]
  • Hor-lick: Horlicks [3]
  • A Hua Tien: Ovaltine [4]
  • Shi-Pee: Sprite [5]

Customization (for Coffee, Tea, and other hot drinks)[edit]

  • Kosong (Melayu for Zero): No sugar
  • Siu Dai (Cantonese): Less sugar
  • Kar Dai (Cantonese): More sugar
  • See: Carnation Evaporated Milk [6]
  • Oh: No milk
  • Tid Lok (Hokkien for straight down): Super strong coffee (without the addition of water)
  • Peng (Hokkien): With ice
  • Pau (Hokkien for packet): Take-away