Where to eat at NEX
As someone who studied in Serangoon, NEX holds fond after-school memories for me. Growing up, one thing that has remained the same about this heartland mall is the plethora of food options available. If you are like me and enjoy visiting the mall, satisfy the foodie in you with these 17 NEX food places for Japanese cuisine, hotpot, and more.
1. Beauty In The Pot
Well-known by Singaporeans is Beauty In The Pot, a hotpot restaurant that features nourishing broths such as the Herbal Drunken Chicken Broth (from $12++) and Beauty Collagen Broth (from $15.50++). A must-order is the Fried Beancurd Skin (from $5.40++) which absorbs the indulgent broth with its sponge-like texture. Alternatively, get their Ebiko Prawn Paste ($18.90++), made in-house with fresh prawns and crunchy ebiko pearls. The NEX outlet is also unicorn-themed, making for IG-worthy shots!
Check out our Beauty In The Pot NEX review!
Unit number: #02-01
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 3am
Tel: 6805 8172
Website
Beauty In The Pot is not a halal-certified eatery.
2. Aburi-EN
Aburi means ‘flame-seared’, and as its name suggests, Aburi-EN prides itself on its blow-torched dishes. Topped with thick slabs of pork belly, the Premium Buta Bara Don ($16.50++) is sure to tantalise meat-lovers’ taste buds. Let the flavourful drippings seep into the rice for a more buttery mouthfeel. If you’re not a meat-eater, try their Aburi Salmon Don ($13.80++), with tender salmon slices that melt in your mouth.
Check out our Aburi-EN review!
Unit number: #01-63/64/65
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6509 0797
Website
Aburi-EN is not a halal-certified eatery.
Aburi-EN Review: Blow-torched and Chargrilled Japanese Rice Bowls In The CBD
3. Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice
Hailing from Bangkok, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand award to boot, Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice offers chicken rice, and other delectable Thai dishes. For a quick meal, get their Single Portion Chicken (from $4.50++), with succulent poached chicken over a bed of glistening flavoured rice, with a house special green chilli dip on the side. If you are dining in a group and have a bigger budget to spare, order their Steamed Sea Bass with Chilli, Lime & Garlic ($28++). This tender fish is doused in a sauce that’s tangy, garlicky and sweet, making it refreshing to the palate.
Check out our Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice review!
Unit number: #B1-05/06
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6509 9980
Website
Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice is a halal-certified eatery.
Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice Review: Try The Famous Bangkok Chicken Rice At $4.50++ At Nex
4. Yun Nans
At the mention of provincial Chinese food, Sichuan dishes, such as fiery mala xiang guo, come to mind. Consider trying Yun Nans, Yunnan’s largest restaurant chain that serves up authentic cuisine from the region. A must-try is their Steam Pot Chicken Soup ($13.90++) which is cooked without a single drop of water! This naturally sweet broth is the closest you can get to pure chicken essence. Another special dish is their Stir-Fried Prawn With Salted Egg And Jasmine Petals ($24.90++). The familiar, hearty flavours of salted egg are elevated in this dish with floral notes from jasmine flowers.
Unit number: #B1-15
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6970 7883
Website
Yun Nans is not a halal-certified eatery.
5. Penang Culture
Image credit: @jamiegems
Being the first Penang-centric restaurant in Singapore, Penang Culture provides mouthwatering Malaysian fare at affordable prices. As opposed to the coconutty laksa that we all know and love, their signature Penang Assam Laksa ($7.90++) is tangy and refreshing, with its use of tamarind. If you’re feeling something more savoury, get the Penang Fried Kway Teow ($9.50++). Heavy on the wok hei, this is less sweet than our local rendition but equally satisfying.
Unit number: #B1-76/77
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6634 0667
Website
Penang Culture is a halal-certified eatery.
6. Five Guys
This American fast food chain needs no introduction. Since entering Singapore’s food scene in 2019, Five Guys has been serving up classic American burgers, sandwiches, and fries. Expect tender hand-formed patties, accompanied by generous portions of lettuce, pickles, tomato, grilled onions, and grilled mushrooms in their Cheeseburger ($17). Complete your experience with either a Cajun or Five Guys Style Fries ($12).
Unit number: #B1-41/42/43
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6976 4385
Website
Five Guys is not a halal-certified eatery.
7. Tamago-En
Using only fresh eggs from Okinawa, Tamago-EN is a Japanese eatery that specialises in egg-centric dishes. Their Ultimate Tamago Kake Gohan ($5.90++) features a raw egg that has undergone special UV sterilisation to make it safe for eating. Mix the gooey yolk with the whipped egg whites for a fluffy, cloud-like texture. For something to share, try their 5-kind Dashimaki Tamago Skewers ($9.50++) which comes with unique toppings like seaweed paste, and cod roe mayo.
Unit number: #02-K5/K6
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6733 3789
Website
Tamago-EN is not a halal-certified eatery.
8. Genki Sushi
Of all the conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Singapore, Genki Sushi is probably the most popular one. Known for their extensive use of mentaiko, Genki serves plates of Salmon Mentai ($3.20), Ebi Mentai ($3.20), Mentai Mayo Fries ($4.50) and more. If eating just sushi isn’t on your agenda, mains such as Mala Beef Don ($11.60) and Ebi Tempura Udon ($6.50) are sure to fill you up.
Unit number: #04-21/22
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6974 7061
Website
Genki Sushi is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Fong Sheng Hao
Image credit: @laughingblackwhitecarrotcake
Hailing from Taipei’s famous Shilin Night Market is Fong Sheng Hao, which offers scrumptious Taiwanese-style toast. Sink your teeth into the signature Pork Egg and Cheese ($6.30) sandwich, comprising their in-house pork cutlet and chilli. They are also known for their Pork Floss Egg ($6.50), stuffed with fluffy pork floss, egg and condensed milk. If you are a fan of BreadTalk’s floss buns, this savoury-sweet sandwich is for you.
Unit number: #B2-15
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 8:30pm
Website
Fong Sheng Hao is not a halal-certified eatery.
10. Honguo
Image credit: @chew0904
Another eatery that offers Yunnan-style dishes is Honguo. Their hotpot is a provincial delicacy with over a century’s heritage. Warm yourself up with their Zhao Pai Mi Xian 13 Items ($10.20++) that comes with flavourful broth, silky rice noodles and a plethora of other ingredients. The variety of fresh vegetables and proteins makes this an especially nourishing dish. For something heartier, try their Lao Gan Ma Spicy Black Bean Fried Rice ($10.80++) which features Lao Gan Ma, a famous chilli sauce from China. Savoury and spicy, every bite of this dish is packed with flavour.
Unit number: #B1-75
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6634 4675
Website
Honguo is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. Lao Huo Tang
Image credit: @j.oswel
With its origins as a humble hawker stall, Lao Huo Tang is now a restaurant chain that serves up hearty Cantonese soups and zi char dishes. In light of the current rainy weather, get their Pork Rib with Apple and Snow Pear Soup ($10.80++). Besides being comforting and nourishing, the apple and snow pear lend a fruity sweetness to the rich meat broth. Meanwhile, kids will love the Crispy Cereal Fish Skin ($11.80++) which is savoury-sweet and highly addictive. Scoop up the fish slices with heaps of cereal for extra crunch.
Unit number: #03-08/09
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Tel: 6509 0355
Website
Lao Huo Tang is not a halal-certified eatery.
12. PUTIEN
Image credit: @foodieteng
PUTIEN has established itself as one of the most well-known Putian-inspired restaurants in Singapore. Their signature lor mee has been replaced by a Red Mushroom Seafood Lor Mee ($14.90++). This unique dish features a broth with a reddish hue, stained from red mushrooms, and topped with fresh clams, squid, and prawns. With a slightly sweet flavour, this dish is best eaten with their potent chilli. Another crowd favourite is the Stir-Fried Yam (from $15.90++). Each deep-fried cube of yam is fluffy on the inside, crisp, and coated in a sticky sauce.
Unit number: #02-18/19
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 4:30pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6634 7833
Website
PUTIEN is not a halal-certified eatery.
13. Dian Xiao Er
Image credit: @dianxiaoersg
A household name among Singaporeans, Dian Xiao Er is known for their specialty Duck Roasted with Angelica Herb (from $13.60++). This dish spotlights the Angelica herb, otherwise known as dang gui, which comes with various health benefits. It enhances the gravy with a tinge of herbal sweetness, cutting through the more gamey flavour of the duck. Meanwhile, diners both young and old will definitely enjoy the restaurant’s Marmite Boneless Chicken Thigh ($10.90++) which is sticky sweet and makes for a moreish bite.
Unit number: #02-09/10
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 3pm, 4:30pm to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6634 4828
Website
Dian Xiao Er is not a halal-certified eatery.
14. Sō Ramen
If you’re craving good ramen that’s also affordable, try Sō Ramen. We enjoyed their Grand Tonkotsu Ramen ($15.90++) which not only comes with chashu, but also a thick slab of braised pork belly. Double-boiled for hours, the tonkotsu broth is rich and creamy. If you’re looking for something lighter, opt for the Tamago Shoyu Ramen ($13.90++). Egg-lovers will rejoice as this dish comes with both an Ajitsuke egg and an onsen egg, so you get to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Unit number: #B2-58
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 9pm
Tel: 6634 4089
Website
Sō Ramen is not a halal-certified eatery.
15. Jollibee
Image credit: @fe1c1a
With ever-present queues from day to night, Jollibee is one of the many fast food chains that has been able to survive against other big name competitors. A must-order is Chickenjoy (from $7.20 for two pieces)—their signature crispy chicken that is available in original or spicy options. Another dish that has garnered them their cult following is their Jolly Spaghetti ($4), which features a distinct sweet bolognese sauce with pieces of hotdog, sprinkled with shredded cheese.
Unit number: #B1-28/29
Opening hours: Daily 10.30am to 10pm
Tel: 8822 8462
Website
Jollibee is a halal-certified eatery.
16. Chen’s Mapo Tofu
Awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019 and 2021, Chen’s Mapo Tofu specialises in Japanese-Szechuan fusion cuisine. It’s best to have a glass of water by your side, as almost all their dishes have mapo tofu, or some other form of chili. For a fiery medley of mapo tofu and minced meat over rice, try their classic Mapo Don ($11.80), or have it over noodles in their Mapo Mian ($12.80). Vegetarians can look forward to the Miso Nasu Don ($13.80)—braised eggplant with pickled chili sauce and rice, for an equally intense experience.
Read our review of Chen’s Mapo Tofu!
Unit number: #B2-50/51
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6235 0489
Website
Chen’s Mapo Tofu is not a halal-certified eatery.
17. BlackBall
Image credit: @blackball.singapore
Keep cool in Singapore’s humid weather with BlackBall’s traditional desserts and drinks. Toppings we’ve all grown up loving can be found in the BlackBall Signature ($6.50), which includes taro balls, black pearls, and red beans. Feel free to customise your dessert bowl to your liking, from a base price of $2.50. Alternatively, quench your thirst with their Winter Melon Tea ($2.80)—an equally refreshing way to beat the heat.
Unit number: #B1-46A
Opening hours: Daily 10.30am to 10pm
Tel: 9742 1630
Website
BlackBall is not a halal-certified eatery.
NEX food guide
Besides being the largest mall in the Northeast, NEX is a melting pot of food options. Whether you’re feeling a cosy Chinese hotpot, hearty Japanese fare or a quick Taiwanese sandwich, NEX has got your Asian cravings covered.
For more places to eat nearby, check out our Punggol food guide and Northeast cafe guide.
10 North-East Cafes Between Serangoon And Punggol To Cafe Hop Till You Drop
Feature image adapted from @it.is.soiwa‘s and @eatingwitheating‘s posts.
