Food guides

Plain-English food guides: what to order, what to cook, what to swap. One person's experience, written down.

• What do kopi O, kosong and siu dai mean?
  Your kopitiam cheat sheet: what kopi O, kosong and siu dai mean, how the words fit together and what to ask at the counter.
• Sugar-free, less sugar or kosong: what is the difference?
  Sugar-free has a label limit, less sugar is a comparison, and kosong is a stall request. Here is what each word actually tells you.
• How much sugar is in teh tarik?
  We found no published lab measurement for freshly made mamak teh tarik, so here is what the available figures actually describe.
• What can I order at a mamak if I have diabetes?
  Start with the MOH plate guide, read food figures with their serving and location, and learn what mamak drink orders mean.
• Can diabetics eat nasi lemak?
  Yes, nasi lemak can stay on the menu. Here's how to build your plate, order at the stall and keep the sambal without overthinking breakfast.