The invention of food and drinks in the mamak culture will astound even the most seasoned chefs in some parts of the world. Not only have these mamak stall owners managed to revolutionise the al-fresco culture in Malaysia, they have also invented mind-blowingly tasty (and sometimes bizarre) variations to some everyday drinks.

Teh-C, Kopi-C, Kopi Ka Dai, Teh Peng, Kopi Suah – to the novice, expats, travellers or tourists, these code words may as well be Sanskrit. To the initiated, those are words that pre-empt a delicious local beverage. For the uninitiated, do not fret. By the time you’re done reading this article, we can assure that you will be able to order drinks at your favourite mamak stall, without breaking a sweat.

If you would like to order a cup of tea, these are the choices available at most mamaks:

Teh “O”: Black tea + sugar
Teh “C”: Black tea + evaporated milk
Teh: Black tea + condensed milk

The variations of tea are as follows:

ping: with ice
pok: lighter in taste
gau: heavier in taste

1. Teh Tarik

A good cup of teh tarik is strong, brisk, and creamy so when you drink it, your mouth registers a full-bodied feel with a potent kick of sweetness. Teh tarik is more than just a cup of tea mixed with condensed milk; it is almost revered as a culture.

2. Teh C Ping

Another coffee shop favourite is the Teh C Ping. The secret of making a distinctive tasting glass of Teh C Ping is in the using of loose leaf teas instead of instant ones – that and a generous amount of creamy evaporated milk. If tea isn’t your beverage of choice, check out these admittedly sugary mixes:

3. Neslo

This cold drink is a mixture of Nescafé and Milo (similar to Nesquik chocolate mix for Americans), and tastes like a watered-down iced mocha.

4. Milo Ais

This drink is basically made using a mixture of Milo and sweetened condensed milk. Milo Ais tastes like hot chocolate served with ice cubes. It represents most Malaysians’ affinity for sweet and creamy drinks.

5. Milo Dinosaur

Never heard of this term? Let me explain. First you make the Milo with hot water and condensed milk. Sound sweet enough? Well it isn’t. Once the initial serving of Milo is dissolved, spoonful of Milo granules are piled up on top of the drink to give it an extra punch. Delicious? Yes. Healthy? No, but who’s keeping track, really?

6. Milo Godzilla

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‘Milo Godzilla’ is a ‘Milo Dinosaur’ with a scoop of ice cream and strawberry sauce on top. This is served in a 3/4-pint tumbler – to hold all that sugary goodness together.

7. Milo King Kong

The ultimate drink, for those with a hearty appetite and a stomach of steel, is the ‘Milo King Kong’. This is a ‘Milo Godzilla’ with a double scoop of ice cream, plus whipped cream, plus chocolate and strawberry sauce on top.

What’s your favorite drink above? Post a thought in the comments below.

First published April, 2014