In the States, you have Starbucks. In Malaysia, we have kopitiams!
‘Kopitiam’ for some of you who don’t know, is a local coffee shop that can be found in Malaysia, Brunei or Singapore.
They’re known to serve coffees and some kick-ass local favourites.
Today, they are a reminiscent yummy-plague from the past brought to the present.
Do you know that it is a matter of skill by ordering drinks at a local coffee shop ‘Kopitiam’? How familiar are you with all those coffee lingos?
Grasp these terms below and show off your coffee knowledge to your friends that goes beyond the ‘cinos and lattes!
1. KOPI
Black coffee (80%) with condensed milk (20%).
2. KOPI-O
Black coffee (90%) with only sugar (10%).
(‘O’ means ‘black’ in Hokkien dialect)
3. KOPI-O KOSONG
Purely black coffee (100%).
4. CHAM (A.K.A YINYANG)
Equal parts combination of black coffee (45%) and tea (45%) with condensed milk (10%).
5. KOPI-C (C stands for Carnation – a brand of evaporated milk)
Black coffee (75%) with evaporated milk (15%) and sugar (10%).
6. KOPI-C-KOSONG
Black coffee (85%) with only evaporated milk (15%).
7. KOPI GAO
Black thick coffee (80%) with condensed milk (20%).
(‘Gau’ means ‘thick’ in Hokkien dialect)
8. KOPI MIN TIM
Black coffee (90%) with condensed milk (10%).
(‘Min Tim’ means ‘less sweet’ in Cantonese dialect)
9. KOPI BENG
Black coffee (80%) with condensed milk (20%) and ice cubes.
10. KOPI NGALAT / CHAM NGALAT
Serve in a larger glass cups which generally cost slightly more (get around 35% more drink for extra RM0.50 to RM1.00).
(‘Ngalat’ means upsize the drink)
CONCLUSION
You are on your way to have fun ordering drinks at Kopitiam like a pro now. Enjoy!
Note: Can apply the above on Teh (Tea) as well.
