Discover Nanyang Coffee: Explore Kopi In Singapore And Beyond

Nanyang coffee is the foundation of Southeast Asia’s coffee culture, and I think it deserves more global acclaim.

Ten years ago, I spent several months backpacking through Southeast Asia. Much of the trip was exactly what I expected – lush jungles, beautiful beaches, delicious food, soul-crushing humidity. What I didn’t anticipate was the region’s vibrant local coffee culture.

Coffee shops on nearly every street corner acted as community gathering places, dishing out coffee for pennies a cup. You could order your brew with or without sugar, condensed milk, or ice. But the foundation of every drink was the topic of today’s article: Nanyang coffee.  

What Is Nanyang Style Coffee?

Nanyang coffee, also known as Kopi, refers to the traditional coffee served in many parts of Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore and Malaysia (1). Specifically, Nanyang, transliterated as “southern sea,” refers to the Chinese provinces and countries around the coast of the South China Sea. 

Traditional Nanyang coffee is made from Robusta beans that are given a long slow roast. Sugar and either margarine or butter are added during the latter part of the roasting time to enhance caramelization. Some regional variations also incorporate Liberica or Arabica beans.

Nanyang coffee is served in local coffee shops known as kopitiams – kopi meaning coffee, and tiam meaning shop. It is typically brewed very strong and often served with sugar or sweetened condensed milk to cut the inherent bitterness of the dark roasted Robusta beans.

What Is The History Of Nanyang Coffee?

Nanyang coffee was created to suit the Southeast Asian palate and culture, along with other famous coffee drinks from the region like Vietnamese coffee, Malaysian Ipoh White Coffee, and Kopi Sanger. 

Legend has it that while schmoozing with influential Western businessmen, Malaysian and Singaporean people had to drink Western coffee. Finding it too bitter, they decided to create their own version. The result was the uniquely Southeastern Asian creation that is Nanyang coffee.

How To Make Nanyang Coffee

The best way to enjoy Nanyang coffee, I’m sorry to say, is to go to the source. It is difficult to experience the real thing outside of Southeast Asia. However, if that’s not in the budget, there are two ways to try Nanyang coffee at home. 

If you’re a home roasting enthusiast, you can source good-quality Robusta coffee beans and slow-roast them in margarine and sugar to a dark roast before grinding and brewing. Admittedly, this is impractical for the majority of coffee lovers.

The alternative is to buy Nanyang coffee online, though I’ll warn you, it’s not always easy to track down. Most is available as instant coffee, but if you’re lucky, you can track down whole beans or ground coffee powder.

Nanyang Coffee Recipe

Here’s how to brew Nanyang coffee as they do in Malaysia. 

Step 1: Buy whole bean coffee if possible and use a good coffee grinder to grind it to a medium fine powder – similar to what you would use for a Hario V60.

Step 2: Add 3 tablespoons of coffee grounds (15 grams) to a coffee sock or other cloth filter.

Step 3: Pour over 8 ounces of just-off-boiling water, letting it drip through into a mug below.

A perfect cup of Nanyang coffee is simple and bold, brewed quickly. This isn’t Third Wave specialty coffee, and you probably won’t see a coffee scale, brew timer, or gooseneck kettle in an authentic kopitiam. 

Nanyang coffee is a foundation for community gatherings and great conversation, not a showcase for complex flavors.

What Does Nanyang Coffee Taste Like?

Nanyang coffee is very rich, with a bold flavor, creamy body, and powerful aroma. You’ll smell a kopitiam long before you see it. The dark roasted Robusta beans contribute a natural bitterness, which is balanced by the deep caramelization and butteriness of the roasting process.

The flavors of Nanyang coffee can be overwhelmingly pungent, so it is often served sweetened with condensed milk and/or sugar. 

To order a traditional black coffee in Malaysia, you ask for a Kopi-O Kosong. Just Kopi-O gets you a coffee with sugar, and Kopi is coffee with sweetened condensed milk. Kopi C is coffee with evaporated milk and sugar. Adding the word “peng” means you want the coffee served over ice.

Is Nanyang Coffee Robusta Or Arabica?

Nanyang coffee is traditionally made from Robusta beans, which are both inexpensive and widely available in Southeast Asia (2). Far from being a detriment, their inherent bitterness benefits the drink. In some regions, it might be made from a blend of Robusta and Liberica beans.

Final Thoughts

Nanyang coffee derives from a traditional roasting method favored in many Southeast Asian countries, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore. Robusta coffee beans are slow-roasted with sugar and butter for a unique regional treat.

You can try making this coffee beverage at home if you’re a hobby coffee roaster. Otherwise, I recommend going straight to the source for the real thing! You’ll get to experience authentic Nanyang coffee and the equally wonderful culture that surrounds it.