ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Kopi tiam

Kopi tiam is a special place where people can go to eat and drink. It's like a coffee shop - but better! At a kopi tiam, you can find different kinds of food and drinks from lots of different places, like China, Malaysia, Indonesia or Singapore.

The food that you can eat at a kopi tiam is often really yummy, like noodles, rice dishes, and savory snacks. You can also drink hot or cold drinks, like coffee or tea. It's a great place to go with friends or family and spend time chatting, eating and drinking.

Kopi tiam is actually a word from the Hokkien language, which is a Chinese dialect, and it means "coffee shop". But because kopi tiam is a place where lots of different types of people come together to enjoy food and drinks, it has become so much more than just a regular coffee shop.

So, to sum up, a kopi tiam is a special place where you can find lots of yummy food and drink options from different countries, and enjoy them with friends and family while having a great time.