Kosong
The ultimate minimalist choice. When you order your drinks or prata 'kosong', you're telling the uncle to keep it plainโno sugar, no fancy toppings, just the basics. Itโs what you say when youโre watching your health or just appreciate things in their purest, unadulterated form.
Origin
Literal translation: "Empty"
Borrowed from the Malay word 'kosong', which literally means empty or void.
Usage Examples
"Auntie, kopi O kosong can? Donโt put sugar lah, today I trying to be healthy."
"Lunch at hawker: prata kosong plus egg, then chai peng kosong. Simple life, no drama sia."
"Bro ordered bubble tea kosong and the cashier blinked twice. He say, "Need taste the tea itself mah.""
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Related Words
kopi kosong
This is your straight-up black coffee, no sugar and no milk allowed. You order this when you want to taste pure caffeine without the sweet, creamy fluff, or when youโre watching your sugar levels like a hawk.
teh kosong
The go-to drink for the health-conscious or those who just prefer the true, slightly astringent punch of the tea leaves. Itโs tea brewed the traditional way, but stripped of all the condensed milk and sugar that usually gives our local kopi its signature sweetness.
teh o kosong
The ultimate order for the health-conscious or those who just want their caffeine straight up. It's a robust cup of black tea served without any milk or sugar, perfect for cutting through the richness of a plate of nasi lemak.
kopi o kosong
This is the true test of a coffee drinker in Singapore. It is black coffee served exactly as the gods intendedโno sugar, no milk, no nonsense. Itโs bitter, itโs strong, and itโll wake you up faster than a lecture from your mum.
siu dai
This is how you order your kopi or teh when you're trying to watch your sugar intake but still need that caffeine kick. It tells the uncle to go easy on the sweetened condensed milk, so your drink ends up less 'syrupy thick' and more balanced.