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 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)

• 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