Me : Kopi-O *satu, Kopi-Ping satu, Kopi-Cham satu, Kopi-Si satu.
Waiter: Okay, boss!
*satu in Malay means one.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf4l-uqDs2dMV9MaU0EhlUVjzC-eGQNX1ut51N80c_Lun42au2-9Y6B7jZ7Cm9p7FYsuhcvWEKhkuErFeoDyd16_aivOv7_M6WqVgQhc9ngYQAjY1R4e03hTzxHTD9fRAowINR_IM6BGz/w640-h420/pic.jpg) |
A typical kopitiam
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Yep, that was coffee lingo and I had just ordered black coffee for myself, iced coffee with condensed milk for hubby, coffee+tea for Josh and coffee with evaporated milk for Rodney in a Malaysian kopitiam (coffee shop).
Suffixes to the word 'Kopi' are codes to indicate to the waiter how you like your coffee.
O = black with sugar
Si = with sugar and evaporated milk
Cham = with tea Yes, coffee mixed with tea for those who can't make up their mind and want both!
Ping = with ice
Kosong = without sugar
Kaw = extra strong
These codes can be interchangeably used for 'Teh' (tea in Malay).
So if you want a cup of black coffee with ice, you would say Kopi-O-Ping!
And if you don't want sugar in it, say Kopi-O-Ping-Kosong!
Now you can order your coffee or tea like a boss in a local kopitiam!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAh3gBB9ZOwzhlH2WxE_Lkn9QNFR58R-OwW3eW2X4SO_rAaRCSItrKI0_xQn9ocpB9FOYPuK8g7HnnesAGpaPXkdLph0BZqhxNRMZ0efX34fpsWK27MSGwthYOBnh4yTMuR9j9TNrjKXf/w640-h618/pic.jpg) |
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Interestingly, kopi or tea without ice is always served in this standard ceramic cup and saucer set with the traditional Chinese green floral design in all old-school kopitiams wherever you are in Malaysia.
#MalaysianCoffee #KopitiamCulture #CoffeeLingo #LocalBoss
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