The Hainan Story Coffee House (Nex) at NEX
Location: 23 Serangoon Central, #02 - 17 NEX, Singapore 556083
Floor L2 · NEX
Heritage Hainanese coffee house with kopi, toast, and chicken chops at NEX.
Heritage Hainanese coffee house with kopi, toast, and chicken chops at NEX.
At NEX, The Hainan Story Coffee House pays homage to Singapore's Hainanese heritage, serving traditional Nanyang kopi and kaya toast alongside Hainanese chicken chops and chicken rice that honour generations of culinary tradition. The menu extends to Western-Hainanese fusion plates, homemade pies, and nostalgic desserts, blending old-world charm with a modern cafe setting.This outlet offers dine-in and takeaway, making it a welcoming spot for heritage food lovers and curious newcomers alike.
Step in for a taste of Hainanese history and follow their social pages for seasonal heritage specials.
Operating Hours
Overall Rating
Based on 1254 Google reviews
Negative Reviews
Wei Chee Lim
I think they have a management change over..the method of ordering is confusing..$10.80 for a pathetic looking Fried Glass Noodles, which was microwave hot and not cooked on site. Luckily the lamb stew and waffle still taste the same. Choose wisely if you want to visit this place.
7eleven
Ordered ice lemon tea, ice yuan yang, peanut butter waffle, stir fried glass noodle with chicken chop, peppercorn pig stomach soup. Waffle was above average, quite fragrant and some crisp. Chicken chop was flavorful. Rest of the food was …
Positive Reviews
Julius Tan
Kaya toast and tea not as good as Yakun. The curry gravy of the chee cheong fun was just not very palatable to me and the wanton and fishballs in the dish tasted below average. The rice dishes with curry are some of their better food choices in this local coffee shop.
J C
Beef stew is quite tender though I waited half an hour and the restaurant was quite empty. The carrots were undercooked and the hash brown melted into the stew becoming mush. Would suggest serving it with rice instead. Chicken chop is …
Darren Tan
Restaurant with potential to do a lot better. Overall has some great food, but quality varies sometimes. …
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Photo Gallery
The Hainan Story Coffee House (Nex)
Restaurant Interior with Seating and Decor
The image shows the interior of a restaurant with various seating areas. In the foreground, a brown leather booth lines a counter. On the counter, a stack of teacups and saucers are displayed, along with a large rectangular lampshade. Further back, tables with speckled tops are visible, some occupied by diners. The walls are decorated with exposed brick and a vibrant red tiled feature. Greenery hangs from the ceiling, adding to the ambiance. An 'EXIT' sign is visible in the background, suggesting the restaurant is located in a public area like a mall or airport. A promotional poster for Burger King is also visible.
Fish Ball Soup
A close-up shot of a bowl of fish ball soup. The soup is a rich, reddish-brown color and is garnished with fresh green herbs. Visible ingredients include several large, round fish balls, pieces of white fish, and fried dumplings. The bowl is dark and textured, and the background has a speckled pattern.
Coffee cup with cartoon design
A close-up shot of a coffee cup with a cartoon illustration on it, placed on a red saucer. The cup has a handle and contains a beverage with foam on top. A small white dish with a yellow substance, possibly butter or cream, is placed on the saucer. The background is blurred, showing people and lights, suggesting an indoor setting like a cafe or restaurant. The table surface has a speckled pattern.
Iced Beverage with Branding
A close-up shot of a dark iced beverage in a clear plastic cup with a dark lid. The cup features a decorative band with the text "THE HAINAN STORY" and Chinese characters, along with an illustration of people sitting at a table. The cup is condensation-covered and rests on a speckled surface.
Waffle Sandwich
A close-up shot of a waffle sandwich on a white plate. The waffle is cut in half and filled with chocolate and cheese. The plate has a logo with three pink circles. The background is a speckled surface.
Chicken Cutlet with Fries
A plate of food featuring a breaded and fried chicken cutlet covered in a dark sauce, topped with onion rings and peas. It is served with a side of french fries, coleslaw, and baked beans. The plate has a white rim with a blue stripe. The background shows a speckled tabletop.
Chicken with Fries
A plate of food featuring chicken covered in sauce, french fries, and a small dish of dipping sauce.
Iced Coffee Drink
A close-up shot of an iced coffee drink in a clear plastic cup. The drink is a light brown color with a layer of foam on top, dusted with a brown powder. The cup has a logo that reads "THE HAINAN STORY" in English and Chinese characters. The cup is placed on a red saucer.
Assortment of Asian Dishes
A top-down view of a dark surface displaying several small bowls and a metal dish filled with various Asian food items. The dishes include fried shrimp, a breaded cutlet, glazed meat pieces, an omelet with scallions, rice with a chicken drumstick in sauce and a fried egg, and a bowl of mushrooms and other ingredients. Chopsticks are placed to the side.
Fried Chicken with Fries and Beans
A plate of fried chicken covered in a sweet and savory sauce, served with a side of french fries, baked beans, and pickled onions. The dish is presented on a white plate with a blue rim, set on a speckled table.
Fried Pork Chop Rice
A close-up shot of a meal served on what appears to be newspaper lining. The dish features a fried pork chop cut into strips, a sunny-side-up egg with a runny yolk, steamed cabbage, and a portion of rice topped with a savory sauce. The newspaper lining has Chinese characters and English text, including "MAINANESE COCRY RICE".
Assorted Swiss Rolls
A close-up shot of two Swiss rolls on a wooden board. One is a pale green color with a creamy yellow filling, and the other is a vibrant pink with a white filling. A fork is shown piercing the pink roll, suggesting it is about to be eaten.
Coffee Cup with Cartoon Design
A white coffee cup with a cartoon illustration of sushi rolls sits on a bright orange saucer. The cup is filled with coffee, showing a frothy surface. The saucer is placed on a white marble-like table. In the background, out of focus, are hints of green and red seating, suggesting an indoor cafe or restaurant setting. A small white tag with some text is partially visible on the saucer.
Chicken Chop with Fries and Sides
A plate of chicken chop served with french fries, coleslaw, and baked beans in a small black ramekin. The chicken is covered in a rich brown sauce.
Hainanese Curry Rice
A plate of Hainanese curry rice served on newspaper-style paper. The dish includes rice with curry sauce, a fried egg, fried pork ribs, and a side of vegetables. A bowl of soup is visible in the background.
Laksa and Drinks
A close-up view of a bowl of laksa, a noodle soup dish, served in a green bowl. The laksa contains noodles, broth, boiled eggs, fried tofu, and other ingredients. In the background, there are two cups of drinks, one with a spoon and the other with a tea bag. A plate of food with meat and sides is also visible in the background.
Cookies and Coffee
A hand is holding a cookie over a plate of assorted cookies. In the background, there are two green tins with the logo "THE HAINAN STORY Bakery". A cup of coffee is visible on a red saucer to the right.
Newspaper Hainanese Curry Rice
A plate of Hainanese curry rice served on a newspaper-style liner. The dish includes a fried egg with a runny yolk, a side of fried pork, and mixed vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms. The liner has Chinese and English text, including "The Hainan Story" and "Newspaper Hainanese Curry Rice, Originated in Singapore."
Braised Meat Dish
A close-up shot of a dark, rich braised meat dish served in a black pot. The dish contains large chunks of tender-looking meat, green vegetables that appear to be okra or similar, and is garnished with fresh green herbs. A side of white rice is visible in the background.
Cup of Coffee
A close-up shot of a cup of coffee on an orange saucer, with a spoon resting on the saucer. The cup has a cartoonish design of peanuts and Chinese characters. The table surface has a terrazzo pattern.
Waffles with Green Filling
A close-up shot of two halves of a waffle sandwich with a green filling, served on a white plate. A knife with a black handle rests on the plate. The table surface has a terrazzo-like pattern with green, white, and brown flecks.
Cup of Tea
A close-up shot of a cup of tea with a spoon in it, resting on a saucer. The cup has a cartoon design of toast with faces and text in Chinese characters. The background shows a blurred interior of a restaurant with brick walls and decorative lighting.
Beef Stew with Hash Browns
A close-up shot of a bowl of beef stew served with rice and topped with two hash browns drizzled with white sauce. The stew contains chunks of beef, carrots, and peas in a rich gravy. A cup of iced coffee is visible in the background. The table has a speckled terrazzo-like pattern.
Hainanese Curry Rice
A table laden with various dishes, including Hainanese curry rice served on newspaper, a bowl of curry chicken, braised meat, and crispy pork belly. The curry rice is topped with a fried egg, chicken, and vegetables.
Breakfast Set
A breakfast set featuring soft-boiled eggs, toast with butter, and a cup of coffee. The table has a speckled pattern. A menu or flyer is partially visible in the background.
Restaurant Interior with Neon Signage
The image shows the interior of a restaurant with red chairs and green banquette seating. A prominent neon sign in white script reads "Sông Lạ Hainan Kopi Sài Gòn". Tables are set with white marble-patterned tops. The floor has a black and white tiled pattern. The overall ambiance is modern and vibrant.
Breakfast Plates
Two plates of breakfast food are shown. The plate on the left contains a large sausage, scrambled eggs, two hash browns, and toast. The plate on the right contains bacon, a fried egg, a piece of meat with sauce, and toast. The table has a speckled pattern.
Neon Signage in Restaurant
A close-up shot of a blue neon sign with cursive writing, likely a restaurant name, is displayed prominently against a textured wall and mirrored surface. The sign reads "Say Hi Harian Kopi Hai". The interior of the establishment is visible in the reflection, showing patrons seated at tables and a brick wall adorned with decorative elements. Green lighting fixtures hang from the ceiling, and a ceiling fan is visible in the background.
Swiss Rolls
A close-up shot of several Swiss rolls on a wooden board. One roll is light green with a cream filling, and two are pink with a white filling. A fork is shown piercing one of the pink rolls.
Toast and Tea
A close-up shot of a cup of milk tea with a spoon in it, served on an orange saucer. In the background, there are slices of toast with butter and jam. The cup has a cartoon illustration and text in Chinese characters.
Waffles and Drink
A close-up shot of two folded waffles on a white plate, served on a black checkered table. In the background, a person is holding a straw in a clear plastic cup with a beverage. A menu or paper is visible on the table, along with chopsticks.
Restaurant Interior
The image shows the interior of a restaurant with green tiled floors and brick walls. There are several tables and chairs, a bar area with stools, and hanging pendant lights. A neon sign is visible in the background. A staff member wearing a mask and apron is standing near a "Tray Return" sign. Stacks of red cups are visible on the left side of the image.
Beef Stew with Hash Browns and Soup
A bowl of beef stew with carrots, peas, and hash browns, served with a side of creamy mushroom soup. A receipt is visible on the tray.
Laksa
A close-up shot of a bowl of laksa, a spicy noodle soup. The dish features noodles in a creamy, orange broth, topped with a halved hard-boiled egg, fish cakes, fried tofu puffs, and a dollop of chili paste.
Breakfast Set
A close-up shot of a breakfast set on a table. In the foreground, there is a white plate with two pieces of toast with a spread, and a red bowl with two soft-boiled eggs drizzled with soy sauce and pepper. A dark beverage in a plastic cup with a straw is also visible. In the background, blurred figures of people are seated at tables.
Curry Noodles with Fried Wontons and Fish Balls
A close-up overhead shot of a bowl of curry noodles. The bowl contains a rich, orange curry broth filled with flat white noodles, several fried wontons, and round fish balls. The bowl is placed on a speckled countertop with a terrazzo pattern.
Restaurant Interior with Diners
A bustling restaurant interior with many patrons seated at tables, some eating and others conversing. The decor includes brick walls with decorative bowls, neon signage in a foreign language, hanging plants, and modern light fixtures. People are dressed casually, and the atmosphere appears lively.
Breakfast Plate
A plate of breakfast food is shown, including toast, a fried egg, bacon, and a piece of meat covered in sauce. A knife and a packet of wet wipes are on the left side of the plate. A cup with a cartoon image is visible in the upper right corner. The table has a speckled pattern.
Breakfast Set
A black tray holds a breakfast set. In a red bowl are two soft-boiled eggs with runny yolks. On a white plate are two halves of a pandan waffle sandwich, cut diagonally. To the right, a dark cup with a straw contains a frothy, iced beverage. A receipt is partially visible at the bottom right.
Steak with Fries and Beans
A plate of food featuring a steak covered in brown sauce, a side of french fries, baked beans in a small black container, and some white pickled vegetables. The plate has a blue rim and is set on a speckled table.
Cup of Coffee
A close-up shot of a white cup filled with coffee, resting on an orange saucer. The cup has a cartoon image and Chinese characters printed on it. The table has a speckled pattern, and red chairs are visible in the background.
Laksa and Drink
A bowl of laksa with noodles, fish cakes, a hard-boiled egg, fried dough fritters, and chili paste, served with a cup of brown liquid, possibly coffee or tea. The food is presented on a speckled countertop.
Coffee House Interior
The interior of a coffee house with a prominent wall decorated with stacked red coffee cups. The coffee house has a modern yet traditional aesthetic, with wooden accents and green tiling. Several patrons are seated at tables, enjoying their meals and drinks. A promotional poster is displayed on an easel near the entrance, and a digital screen above the counter shows a scenic landscape.
Breakfast Plate
A close-up shot of a breakfast plate featuring a fried egg, two slices of toast, three strips of bacon, a patty with sauce, and cherry tomatoes. The plate has a blue rim and the background has a speckled pattern.
Laksa
A bowl of laksa with various toppings including fried tofu, fish balls, and a boiled egg. The soup is creamy and rich, with a sprinkle of chili oil. The bowl is placed on a terrazzo table.
Fried Chicken with Fries
A plate of fried chicken pieces topped with sauce, diced pineapple, and peas, served with french fries, a small bowl of sauce, and pickled vegetables.
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