If there’s a proper skill most locals have, it’s ordering coffee – kopi, we mean – from the local kopitiam. Do you know how to?
Say what you will, ordering coffee at a shop can sometimes be complicated. I mean, who knew a babyccino is actually WARM MILK. Still, nothing could be more complex than ordering coffee – kopi, we mean – at a local kopitiam in Singapore. With over ten different permutations of kopi in Singapore, ordering kopi is a necessary skill locals need to have to survive these harsh landscapes. Expats and those who just got off the tarmac at the wonderful Changi Airport, stick around and we’ll guide you. Locals who need to brush up on their skills… we’re not judging you.
How to order local kopi in Singapore like a pro
Kopi
What it is: Black coffee with condensed milk and sugar
Cafe equivalent: None, because it’s so goddamn sweet
Kopi Peng
What it is: Iced black coffee with condensed milk – you can peng anything on this list, just add the word behind your order, ie. Kopi O Peng, Kopi Kosong Peng, etc.
Cafe equivalent: None
Kopi O
What it is: Black coffee with sugar
Cafe equivalent: Long black/Americano with sugar added
Kopi C
What it is: Black coffee with evaporated milk and sugar
Cafe equivalent: None
Kopi Kosong
What it is: Black coffee without sugar or milk
Cafe equivalent: Long black/Americano
Kopi Siew Dai
What is it: Coffee with condensed milk but less sugar
Cafe equivalent: None
Kopi O Siew Dai
What is it: Black coffee with less sugar
Cafe equivalent: Long black/Americano with a teaspoon of sugar
Kopi Gah Dai
What is it: Black coffee with extra condensed milk
Cafe equivalent: None, because condensed milk
Kopi Po
What is it: Coffee with condensed milk but weaker (they add more water)
Cafe equivalent: None
Kopi O Po
What is it: Black coffee with Sugar but weaker (they add more water)
Cafe equivalent: A watered down long black / Americano with sugar
Kopi Gau
What is it: Strong coffee with condensed milk
Cafe equivalent: None
Bulletproof coffee is a recent trend? Heap Seng Leong serves up a local version with butter in kopi, and have been at it for the longest time. Local photographer Aik Beng Chia documents the coffeeshop in this short.
Kopi O Gau
What is it: Strong black coffee with sugar
Cafe equivalent: Triple espresso with sugar
Kopi Di Lo
What is it: Extra thick coffee
Cafe equivalent: None
Kopi Sua
What is it: Another order of kopi
Cafe equivalent: Can I have two…
Kopi Gu You
What is it: Coffee with condensed milk and a slice of butter, yup you read that right
Cafe equivalent: Bulletproof coffee?
Kopi ta bao
What is it: Takeaway coffee
Cafe equivalent: “Can I have it to go?”