By The Table desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
The kopitiam drinks stall sells far more than coffee. Teh is tea brewed strong and ordered with the same codes as kopi: plain teh comes with condensed milk, teh O with sugar and no milk, teh C with evaporated milk, and peng means iced. Teh tarik is tea “pulled” between jugs for a frothy top. Milo is the malted chocolate drink, and a Milo dinosaur is iced Milo heaped with extra undissolved powder, a name that emerged in Singapore’s Indian-Muslim eateries in the mid-1990s, according to historian Geoffrey Pakiam. Bandung is pink: rose syrup with milk. Barley is boiled pearl barley water, sweet and cooling. A November 2024 survey put teh tarik at $1.80–$2.50 and iced Milo at $2.50–$3.50.
Once you know the codes, the drinks board becomes a cheerful menu of small treats. Here is your decoder.
Quick facts
- Teh codes: teh (condensed milk), teh O (sugar, no milk), teh C (evaporated milk and sugar), kosong (no sugar), siew dai (less sweet), ga dai (sweeter), peng (iced).
- Teh tarik: pulled milk tea, a staple of Indian-Muslim stalls.
- Milo dinosaur: iced Milo topped with a heap of Milo powder.
- Bandung: rose syrup plus evaporated or condensed milk, served cold.
- Barley: pearl barley boiled and sweetened; often with lemon or lime.
- Iced costs more: peng drinks usually carry a small surcharge.
The teh family
| Say | You get |
|---|---|
| Teh | Tea with condensed milk (sweet) |
| Teh O | Tea with sugar, no milk |
| Teh O kosong | Plain black tea, no sugar, no milk |
| Teh C | Tea with evaporated milk and sugar |
| Teh siew dai / ga dai | Less sweet / extra sweet |
| Teh peng | Iced milk tea |
| Teh tarik | Pulled, frothy milk tea |
| Teh halia | Tea with ginger |
| Yuan yang | Half coffee, half tea, with milk |
Milo, Milo dinosaur and friends
Milo arrived in British Malaya in the 1930s as a fortified tonic drink, and Nestlé later made it locally. Writing for the International Institute for Asian Studies, ISEAS fellow Geoffrey Pakiam traces the Milo dinosaur name to mid-1990s Singapore, at Indian-Muslim eateries including A&A Muslim Restaurant, Al-Ameen and Al-Azhar; Malaysians tell their own origin story. It is made by blending Milo with sugar, milk, water and ice, then spooning extra powder on top. Order Milo peng for plain iced Milo, or Milo O for no milk.
Bandung, barley and the cold drinks
| Drink | What’s in it | Taste |
|---|---|---|
| Bandung | Rose syrup with evaporated or condensed milk | Floral, creamy, sweet; bright pink |
| Barley | Boiled pearl barley, sweetened | Mild, nutty, cooling |
| Lemon / lime barley | Barley with citrus juice | Fresh and tangy |
| Lime juice | Calamansi or lime, sugar, water, ice | Sharp and refreshing |
| Chin chow | Grass jelly cubes in sweet water | Herbal, slightly bitter |
| Soya bean milk | Soy milk, sweet or plain | Smooth, comforting |
What they cost
| Drink (DollarsAndSense, Nov 2024) | Price range |
|---|---|
| Teh O | $1.00–$1.20 |
| Teh C | $1.50–$1.80 |
| Teh tarik | $1.80–$2.50 |
| Yuan yang | $2.00–$3.30 |
| Honey lemon barley | $2.00–$3.00 |
| Iced Milo | $2.50–$3.50 |
Milo dinosaur and bandung were not in that survey; expect a Milo dinosaur to cost more than plain iced Milo, and check the board for bandung. Air-conditioned food courts and cafes charge more than coffee shops.
Worked example: a round for four
At prices near the top of the 2024 ranges – a teh C at $1.80, a teh tarik at $2.50, an iced Milo at $3.50 and a honey lemon barley at $3.00 – the round costs $10.80. At the bottom of the ranges, the same round is $1.50 + $1.80 + $2.50 + $2.00 = $7.80.
The WahLiao Verdict
On a hot afternoon, order a barley or lime juice; for a treat, a Milo dinosaur; for something to linger over, a teh tarik. Use “siew dai” freely, because many kopitiam drinks are very sweet, and remember the codes work the same for teh as for kopi. A small cup, a cool table and a good chat: that is the kopitiam at its best.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between teh and teh tarik?
Both are milk tea, but teh tarik is poured back and forth between containers to cool it and build froth. It is usually a little dearer.
Why is it called bandung?
“Bandung” means “pairs” in Malay and Indonesian, a nod to the two ingredients that make it: rose syrup and milk.
Do these drinks carry Nutri-Grade labels?
Sometimes. Since the end of 2023, the Ministry of Health has extended Nutri-Grade rules to freshly prepared drinks at F&B outlets, but smaller businesses (revenue of no more than $1 million and fewer than 10 outlets) have a concession, so many kopitiam stalls show no grade. Our guide to the labels explains what A to D mean.
Can I ask for less sugar?
Yes. “Siew dai” means less sweet and “kosong” means no sugar. For bandung and barley, the syrup is often premixed, so ask.
Sources: International Institute for Asian Studies, Geoffrey Pakiam on Milo and the Milo dinosaur’s origins; DollarsAndSense, November 2024 survey of kopitiam drink prices. The Table explains; it does not endorse.
Read next: How to Order Kopi in Singapore: Kopi O, Kosong, Siew Dai and the Rest · Nutri-Grade Labels Explained: What A to D Mean on Drinks · Back to The Table
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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