Hawker Guide
"Saying 'coffee, no sugar' in a kopitiam might get you more sugar. This guide exists so that does not happen to you."
Singapore's hawker centres have their own language — a beautiful collision of Hokkien, Malay, Cantonese, and pure local invention. Kopi is not just coffee. Teh is not just tea. And if you ask for Tak Kiu, you better mean Milo.
This is your complete guide to ordering, eating, and surviving a Singapore hawker centre with dignity and full stomach.
Interactive
Build your perfect kopitiam order. Pick your preferences and we will tell you exactly what to say.
Coffee or Tea?
Milk?
Sweetness?
Strength?
Temperature?
Your Order
Kopi
Coffee, condensed milk, with sugar, served hot.
Walk up to the drink stall. Say this clearly. Collect your drink.
Reference
No milk, with sugar
Hokkien for 'black'
Kopi O = Black coffee with sugar
Evaporated milk instead of condensed milk
From 'Carnation' brand evaporated milk
Teh C = Tea with evaporated milk
No sugar, no milk
Malay for 'zero' or 'empty'
Kopi O Kosong = Black coffee, no sugar
Iced
Hokkien for 'ice'
Teh Peng = Iced tea with condensed milk
Extra thick and strong
Hokkien for 'thick'
Kopi Gao = Extra strong coffee
Weak and diluted
Hokkien for 'thin'
Kopi Po = Weak coffee
Less sweet
Cantonese for 'little sugar'
Teh C Siu Dai = Tea with evaporated milk, less sweet
Extra sweet
Cantonese for 'add sugar'
Kopi Ga Dai = Extra sweet coffee
Extra condensed milk
Hokkien/Cantonese
Teh Di Lo = Tea with extra condensed milk
Half hot — warm but drinkable, not scalding
Hokkien 半烧, literally 'half burn'
Kopi Ban Siu = Warm coffee, not too hot