The story of the kopitiam is being re-told with modern additions but rest assured, its central plot of good, aromatic coffee and warm toast have not been compromised.

Fancy charcoal-grilled toast slathered with fragrant coconut custard jam and washed down with thick, black, margarine-roasted coffee? Malaysian kopitiams or coffee shops offer an experience unlike the average Starbucks. The very name kopitiam reflects the cultural mix characteristic of Malaysia - kopi is the Malay word for coffee and tiam is the Hokkien (Chinese) word for shop. A veritable icon, the kopitiam is a place where locals meet to hang out and trade gossip over roti bakar, kaya, half-boiled eggs and kopi-o, served piping hot in porcelain cups stained brown from years of overuse.

Decor is uniform - marble-top tables, round-backed wooden chairs, large mirrors, tiled floors and walls. The place is alive with untold tales - stories about real people from the past literally stained into the very furniture. Ceiling fans whirr lazily overhead, a fitting reflection of a slower pace of life where people could while the morning away reading newspapers or engaging in loud, good-natured coffee shop talk with fellow regulars.

It is a world of exotic language and customers, yet one that can be navigated successfully if one cares to learn the lingo and observe a few simple rules. Coffee in its most basic form is called kopi-o. Kopi, kopi-See and kopi Kao are variations thereof. To get you cuppa just right, add the appropriate suffix to your choice of either kopi or teh (tea). If you'd like your drink chilled, add the word ais (ice) right at the end. Finally, if you can't decide between tea or coffee, just order a cham (kopi/teh mix). Once you have mastered the vocabulary, try slurping up your coffee or half-boiled eggs from a saucer like a true-blue kopitiam kaki (regular). If all this seems a wee bit daunting, ease into it slowly at modernised versions of this ancient institution. Modern establishments Kopitiam have menus in English complete with pictures that get you salivating in anticipation. These news kids on the block do a roaring trade serving up nostalgia to young urbanites hankering for the kopi and roti bakar kaya of their youth. With the exception of modern niceties like air-conditioning, state-of-the-art point of sale (POS) terminals and smart uniforms, the modern kopitiams could well be mistaken for their humble ancestors. Though slightly pricier, the food is just as good and as much in demand as the offerings at the traditional kopitiams.

The enterprising owners of modern-day kopitiams seem to have stumbled on to a good thing. Expanding on the proven popularity of basic like kopi, roti bakar and kaya, they have beefed up the menu with favorites like nasi lemak and mee jawa in order to provide something more filling for the lunch and dinner crowd. Some places even offer heart-friendly Omega 3 eggs - no doubt assuaging health-conscious patrons worried about rising cholesterol levels.

Appearance and menus aside, the biggest difference between the two is the clientele. Any old kopitiam worth its salt will have its own cast of characters - regulars who earn the right to first-class seats by their abiding presence and longevity. It is a recipe that seems to work: air-conditioning and English menus notwithstanding, both traditional and modern kopitiams distill the very essence of quintessential Malaysian life. Billionaire tycoons and traveling salesmen alike can be found sitting around the marble tables, blissfully satisfying their cravings for a RM2 cup of kopi-O and roti bakar kaya. So, instead of running to the nearest coffee franchise for a caffeine fix, pop by the nearest kopitiam, find a comfortable seat, and take time to smell the coffee.

What to order in Kopitiam :

Roti Bakar - Toast bread

Kaya - Coconut custard jam

Kopi-O - Local coffee served black with sugar

Kopi - Coffee sweetened with condensed milk

Kopi-see - Coffee with evaporated milk

Kopi Kao - Extra-strong coffee

Nasi Lemak - Rice steamed in coconut milk, served with fried anchovies, cucumber slices, roasted peanuts, hard-boiled eggs and a spicy chutney called sambal

Mee Jawa - Noodles in thick gravy