Reading the drink menu
Kopitiam drink orders follow a compact code once you learn the pattern: the base word (kopi = coffee, teh = tea), then a modifier for milk and sugar.
| Order | What you get |
|---|---|
| Kopi | Coffee with condensed milk and sugar |
| Kopi-O | Black coffee with sugar, no milk |
| Kopi-C | Coffee with evaporated milk, less sweet |
| Kopi-O Kosong | Black coffee, no sugar, no milk |
| Teh | The same modifiers, with tea instead of coffee |
| Any drink + "peng" | Iced version |
Common food orders
Kaya toast with soft-boiled eggs is the classic kopitiam breakfast — toast with coconut-egg jam, dipped into eggs seasoned with white pepper and dark soy sauce. Most stalls sell it as a set with a coffee or tea included.
Paying and table etiquette
Order and pay directly at the drinks stall (usually the shop's namesake counter), or at whichever food stall you're ordering from. A tissue packet on the table still means it's reserved, same as any hawker centre.