The Different Ways to Order Coffee in Singapore

If you’re visiting Singapore or just moved here, ordering a simple coffee can be surprisingly tricky — but also fascinating!

Singapore has its own unique coffee culture, blending influences from traditional kopitiams (coffee shops) and international cafes.

Whether you crave a rich, local brew or a fancy espresso drink, it’s helpful to know the lingo so that you can order confidently.

Here’s our comprehensive, tried-and-tested guide to the different ways to order coffee in Singapore!

What is Traditional Singaporean Coffee (Kopi)?

In local kopitiams, coffee is often referred to as kopi, which means coffee in Malay. But it’s not just as simple as saying “kopi”!

There are, in fact, dozens of combinations based on how you want it brewed, sweetened, or served. Here are the basics:

• Kopi: Coffee with condensed milk and sugar (default way).
• Kopi O: Black coffee with sugar, no milk.
• Kopi C: Coffee with evaporated milk (unsweetened) and sugar.
• Kopi O Kosong: Black coffee, no sugar, no milk (just pure coffee and water).
• Kopi C Kosong: Coffee with evaporated milk, no sugar.
• Kopi Peng: Iced coffee with condensed milk and sugar.
• Kopi O Peng: Iced black coffee with sugar.
• Kopi C Peng: Iced coffee with evaporated milk and sugar.
• Kopi Gao: A thicker, stronger version of kopi.
• Kopi Po: A lighter, more diluted version of kopi with condensed milk.
• Kopi Siew Dai: Coffee with condensed milk but less sugar.
• Kopi Gah Dai: Coffee with extra condensed milk for more sweetness.
• Kopi Gu You: Black coffee with a slice of butter.

Tip: When ordering at a kopitiam, just string the words together! For example, if you want to order iced coffee with evaporated milk and less sugar, you would say “Kopi C Peng Siew Dai”.

Some modern cafes also offer unique drinks blending local flavours, like:

• Kopi Latte – A hybrid of kopi and espresso.
• Gula Melaka Coffee – Coffee sweetened with palm sugar syrup.
• Teh Tarik Latte – A coffee and tea fusion inspired by the famous pulled tea drink.

Local Coffee Etiquette in Singapore

• Self-Service: At many kopitiams, you place your order, pay, and collect your coffee at the counter.
• Speaking Up: Coffee shops can be loud and fast-paced, so it’s common (and expected) to shout your order.
• Hawker Centre Culture: Coffee stalls inside hawker centres usually specialise in kopi. Don’t be shy to ask locals for recommendations if you’re unsure!

Why Singapore’s Coffee Culture is Special

Singapore’s coffee culture is as rich and diverse as the city itself—a true reflection of its multicultural roots. Walk down any street, and you’ll find everything from old-school kopitiams serving thick, no-nonsense cups of kopi, to modern third-wave cafés offering delicate, hand-poured single-origin brews. Each cup tells a different story, shaped by history, heritage, and a deep appreciation for flavor.

In traditional kopitiams, coffee is typically made with robusta beans that are roasted in a wok with sugar and margarine—sometimes even a touch of corn or sesame seed for added depth. The result? A bold, smoky brew that’s strong, slightly sweet, and satisfyingly full-bodied. Served with condensed or evaporated milk, it’s the kind of coffee that wakes you up and warms you from the inside out.

But coffee in Singapore isn’t stuck in the past. The city has fully embraced specialty coffee culture, too. Step into places like Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee or Nylon Coffee Roasters, and you’ll find baristas meticulously weighing beans, dialing in espresso shots, and talking passionately about the farm origins of their latest Ethiopian or Guatemalan roast. These cafés cater to a growing community of coffee lovers who appreciate the nuances of a clean pour-over or the silky texture of a perfectly textured flat white.

What makes Singapore’s coffee scene truly special is how seamlessly these worlds coexist. You can start your morning with a kopi peng from a hawker stall and end your day sipping on a honey-processed single-origin at a sleek café with concrete walls and soft jazz in the background. It’s not just about the caffeine hit—it’s about expression, community, and culture.

Whether you’re a casual drinker, a die-hard espresso fan, or someone who just loves the ritual of a morning brew, Singapore offers a coffee experience that’s endlessly fascinating. It’s a place where tradition and innovation meet in every cup. And as a barista, that’s a dream come true.