nex Serangoon: The Northeast's Largest Mall And What To Eat, Shop, And Do There
nex is the largest shopping mall in Singapore's northeast, and it sits directly above Serangoon MRT interchange, where the North East Line meets the Circle Line. With over 300 retail and food outlets across six levels, it is the default destination for residents of Serangoon, Hougang, Sengkang, and Punggol who do not want to travel to the city centre.
The mall opened in 2010 and has been the anchor of the Serangoon town centre since. It is connected to the Serangoon Bus Interchange on Level 1, which means you can get here by MRT or bus from anywhere in the northeast without stepping outside.
Where To Eat: The Food Options
The food court at nex is on Level B2, run by Kopitiam. It has the usual lineup of local stalls, including Chinese mixed rice, Malay nasi padang, Indian Muslim food, and a drinks stall that does kopi and teh at $1.20 a cup. A meal here costs $5 to $8.
For something more substantial, the mall has a cluster of restaurants on Level 2 and Level 3. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ at #01-33 does yakiniku with tableside grilling, with sets starting at $35 per person. Buddy Hoagies Steak and Grill at #02-22 is the budget Western option, with steaks from $15 and a lunch set at $12.90 that includes a main and a drink.
The basement food street on Level B1 has the quick-service options. KFC, McDonald's, and Long John Silver's are all here, alongside local chains like Old Chang Kee and Jollibee. The bubble tea cluster is also on this level, with Koi, Gong Cha, and LiHo all within 50 metres of each other.
Shopping: The Anchor Tenants
NTUC FairPrice Finest on Level B1 is the supermarket, and it is one of the larger FairPrice Finest outlets in Singapore. Cold Storage on Level 1 is the alternative if you want organic or imported products. The two pharmacies in the mall are Guardian on Level 1 and Watsons on Level 2.
Fashion is spread across Levels 1 and 2, with Uniqlo, Cotton On, and H&M as the anchor fashion tenants. BHG department store on Levels 2 to 4 is the mid-range option, and it carries everything from cosmetics to homeware. Challenger on Level 3 is the electronics store, and Popular on Level 4 is the bookstore.
For specialty shopping, Daiso on Level 2 is the Japanese variety store where everything is $2.15. Typo on Level 2 does stationery and gifts, and Miniso on Level 1 is the lifestyle brand that does affordable homeware and accessories.
The Rooftop Garden And Dog Park
One of the best features of nex is the rooftop garden on Level 4R, accessible by lift from Level 4. It has a dog run, which is one of the few enclosed dog parks in a Singapore mall, and it is where Serangoon's dog owners gather on weekend mornings. The rooftop also has a children's playground and open lawns where you can sit and read.
The Serangoon Public Library is on Level 4, and it is one of the busier public libraries in Singapore. It has a good selection of English and Chinese fiction, and the study area is usually full of students in the afternoon.
Practical Details
- Address: 23 Serangoon Central, Singapore 556083
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon (NE12/CC13), directly below the mall
- Hours: Mall 10:00am to 10:00pm daily; supermarket 8:00am to 11:00pm; food court 7:00am to 10:00pm
- Price: Food court meals $5 to $8; restaurants $12 to $40 per person; shopping varies
- Tip: Parking is free for the first two hours on weekdays with a minimum spend of $50. The rooftop garden is best visited in the morning before it gets hot.