Singapore’s Unique “Coffee Culture”: 5 Ways to Order Black Coffee with or without Sugar and Milk

Reporter Cai Wenjun / Report from Singapore

The act of “drinking coffee” has gradually gained popularity in Singapore in recent years. While enjoying the slightly bitter yet rich flavor of coffee, people are also paying more attention to the ambiance and atmosphere in which they sip their brew. Alongside the emergence of uniquely styled cafes, locals have developed their own “coffee language.” Just when it comes to whether black coffee should come with sugar and milk, there are five different ways to order it！

▲ Coffee culture among Singaporeans has been on the rise in recent years. Drinking coffee is not just a trend but also a way to unwind. The photo shows the traditional coffee cups commonly used by Singaporeans when drinking black coffee, often seen at hawker centers. (Photo / Reporter Cai Wenjun)

Local Dick shared that Singaporeans commonly refer to coffee as “Kopi” (pronounced similar to “gou bi”), but this specifically means “black coffee with sugar and milk,” which tends to be sweeter. If you want sugar but no creamer, or prefer a cup of black coffee that lets you enjoy the most original aroma, just master these five coffee terms and you’ll be able to enjoy the fragrance of coffee smoothly while abroad:

1. “Kopi Gau Song”:Refers to black coffee with neither sugar nor creamer.

2. “Kopi O”:Coffee with sugar but no milk.

3. “Kopi Siew Dai”:The creamer used in local coffee is generally sweetened condensed milk, making it quite sweet. This term refers to using the type of regular creamer commonly used in Taiwan.

4. “Kopi Siu Dai”:Coffee with less sugar and less milk.

5. “Kopi Peng”:This is what we call iced coffee. The local version is slightly sweet, with a taste similar to Taiwanese coffee milk tea.