In Malaysia, ordering a drink is almost a ritual. Whether it’s breakfast at a Kopitiam or a late-night hang out at the Mamak, “Minum apa?” is the first question you hear.
We all know that Teh Tarik is bad for our waistline (delicious, but deadly with sugar). So, many of us switch to Teh C Kosong thinking it’s the “healthy” choice. But is it really?
Many of us eat clean but still struggle to lose weight. The culprit? Liquid calories.
In this article, we’ll uncover the truth about your favorite Malaysian drinks, rank the best and worst options for weight loss, and answer the burning question: Is Teh C Kosong healthy?
Looking for a full meal plan? Pair these drink tips with our 7-Day Halal Diet Plan for Weight Loss for the best results.
The “Teh C Kosong” Truth
First, let’s break down what Teh C Kosong actually is. * Teh: Tea dust/leaves. * C: Evaporated Milk (Susu Cair). * Kosong: No added sugar/condensed milk.
Verdict: It is healthier than Teh Tarik, but it is not zero calorie. Evaporated milk still contains calories and fat. One cup of Teh C Kosong has about 45-75 calories, depending on how much evaporated milk goes in (see the table below). Compare that to Teh O Kosong (Tea + Water), which has nearly 0 calories.
So, is it healthy? Yes, it’s a decent option if you need that creamy taste without the insulin spike of condensed milk. However, if you drink 3-4 cups a day, those calories add up to a full meal!
Calories and Sugar in Popular Malaysian Drinks
How much difference does your order really make? The table below compares common kopitiam and mamak drinks. Where the Malaysian Food Composition Database (MyFCD) from the Ministry of Health's Institute for Medical Research has a direct entry, we use it. For teh tarik, teh C and similar drinks, which vary from stall to stall, we estimate from MyFCD values for evaporated milk (149 kcal per 100 g) and sweetened condensed milk (335 kcal per 100 g, or about 63 kcal per tablespoon).
What this means: the World Health Organization recommends keeping free sugars below 10% of your daily energy, which is about 50 g on a 2,000 kcal diet, and suggests that going below 5% (about 25 g) brings extra benefits. A single glass of sirap bandung or a sweet teh tarik can use up most of that lower target. Switching one teh tarik a day to teh O kosong saves roughly 125–190 kcal, or about 900–1,300 kcal a week.
Sources: MyFCD entries for malted chocolate milk, sirap bandung, pearl milk tea, instant tea mix, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk; WHO healthy diet fact sheet.
The “Potong Kaki” List: Worst Drinks for Weight Loss
If you want to lose weight, you need to treat these drinks as “desserts,” not daily beverages.
1. Teh Tarik / Kopi Tarik
• Calories: ~125 - 190 kcal (per cup, with 2-3 tablespoons of condensed milk)
• Sugar: ~5-8 teaspoons (from condensed milk)
• The Problem: Condensed milk is mostly sugar. One cup is equivalent to eating a bowl of rice in terms of calories.
2. Milo Ais
• Calories: ~180 - 240 kcal (with condensed milk)
• Sugar: High
• The Problem: It’s marketed as a “sports drink,” but unless you’re running a marathon, it’s just a sugar bomb. “Milo Dinosaur” is even worse!
3. Sirap Bandung
• Calories: ~190 kcal (250 ml glass, about 22 g sugar)
• The Problem: Rose syrup is pure sugar, mixed with evaporated/condensed milk. It’s a double whammy.
4. 3-in-1 Coffee Packets
• Calories: ~80 - 150 kcal
• The Problem: Convenient, but often loaded with non-dairy creamer (trans fats) and hidden sugars.
5. Bubble Tea (Boba)
• Calories: ~350 - 500+ kcal
• The Problem: The tapioca pearls alone are pure carbs. The brown sugar syrup spikes your insulin instantly.
Metabolism Check: Consuming high sugar stops your body from burning fat. Read about 5 Signs Your Metabolism Is Slow to see how sugar affects you.
The Slimming Squad: Best Drinks for Weight Loss
Swap the bad list for these superstars to speed up your slimming journey.
1. Air Kosong (Plain Water)
• Calories: 0
• Benefit: Zero calories and the best everyday choice. Drinking a glass of water before meals may help you feel fuller, so you eat a little less.
2. Teh O Kosong / Kopi O Kosong
• Calories: < 5
• Benefit: Caffeine (in moderation) boosts metabolic rate. Without milk or sugar, it’s guilt-free.
3. Green Tea (Teh Hijau)
• Calories: 0
• Benefit: Zero calories and contains catechins such as EGCG, natural antioxidants. Research on green tea and weight loss shows only small, inconsistent effects, so treat it as a zero-calorie swap, not a fat burner.
• Tip: Don’t buy the bottled “Green Tea” with sugar. Brew it yourself.
4. Limau Ais Kosong (No Sugar)
• Calories: ~10
• Benefit: Refreshing and vitamin C rich. Just make sure the uncle doesn’t sneak in a spoon of syrup!
5. Barley Kosong (Homemade)
• Calories: ~30 (from the barley grains)
• Benefit: Cooling for the body and good for digestion.
How to Order Like a Pro (Mamak Hacks)
Don’t be shy. Use these magic words to cut calories instantly:
1. “Kosong”: Means zero sugar. (e.g., Teh O Kosong)
2. “Kurang Manis”: Less sugar. Better than nothing, but still sugary.
3. “Siew Dai”: (In Chinese Kopitiams) Less sweet.
4. “Tak Nak Susu Pek”: No condensed milk.
Looking for other dishes? See our full Malaysian food calories list covering 40+ hawker dishes, kuih and drinks.
FAQ: Common Questions About Malaysian Drinks
Q1: Is honey lemon better than Teh O Ais Limau? A: Honey is natural, but it is still sugar. It has calories. If you’re strictly counting calories, limit honey. But nutritionally, honey is better than white sugar.
Q2: Can I drink diet sodas (Coke Zero)? A: They have zero calories, which is good for weight loss. However, artificial sweeteners can sometimes trigger sugar cravings in some people. Drink in moderation.
Q3: What about fresh fruit juices? A: Eating the fruit is better. Juicing removes the fiber, leaving behind concentrated fruit sugar. An orange juice can have as much sugar as a soda! Check out our list of 5 Malaysian Fruits That Burn Fat instead.
Q4: I can’t drink plain water, it’s boring. What to do? A: Infuse your water! Add slices of lemon, cucumber, or mint leaves. It adds flavor without calories.
Q5: What is teh C? A: Teh C is tea with evaporated milk (susu cair) and usually sugar. Teh C kosong is the same drink without sugar.
Q6: How many calories are in teh C kosong? A: About 45–75 kcal per cup, depending on how much evaporated milk is added (usually 2–3 tablespoons). Teh O kosong, with no milk or sugar, has almost zero.
Q7: Is teh C healthier than teh tarik? A: Yes. Teh tarik is made with sweetened condensed milk, so one cup has roughly 125–190 kcal and 21–31 g of sugar. Teh C kosong has about 45–75 kcal and only the natural milk sugar from evaporated milk.
Conclusion: Don’t Drink Your Calories
The fastest way to lose weight in Malaysia isn’t just changing what you eat, but changing what you drink. By simply switching from Teh Tarik to Teh C Kosong (or even better, Teh O Kosong), you can save hundreds of calories a week without feeling hungry.
But let’s be real—sometimes you just need that sweet, creamy drink to get through a stressful day. We are only human!
If you indulge in a high-calorie drink, or if you feel your metabolism is sluggish despite making these swaps, you might need a little extra help to balance it out.
Drann Fat Burner is a stimulant-free supplement with Slendacor® (turmeric & moringa) and Okralin® (from okra), made to support your weight-management routine alongside balanced meals and regular activity. It works best together with the drink swaps above, not as a replacement for them.
