The Best Restaurants in Serangoon That Almost Convinced Me to Leave the City
Since Serangoon is located far from the city center where I live, I don’t often feel motivated to visit it. But a friend recently relocated there, and since I came to help him unpack, I discovered that this area actually has many amazing restaurants.
In no time, my friend and I—accompanied by our other friends who are also foodies—decided to try as many restaurants in the area as possible and make a list of favorites.
I actually had a hard time narrowing down my personal list. But right now, these are the ones I consider to be the best!
Shabu Sai
— From: dearamanda.xo
Address: 23 Serangoon Central, #03-07 NEX
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6569042120
In my opinion, hotpot is always a great idea—whether you’re dining alone or with other people. So it’s not a surprise that Shabu Sai has now become one of my favorite restaurants in Serangoon.
This spot offers a wide variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables. There are also many options for the broth. I personally love the spicy soup, but if you have a low spice tolerance, the tom yum miso is a must-try. It’s bursting with umami goodness!
Pro Tip:
- If you opt to try the buffet option, I recommend coming here around lunchtime on a weekday (Monday to Friday). That’s when the prices are at their lowest.
Aburi-EN
— From: aburien.sg
Address: 23 Serangoon Central, #01-63/64/65 NEX
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6565090797
Get ready to indulge in high-quality Japanese grilled meats at Aburi-EN! Aside from that, this Japanese restaurant also serves donburi (rice bowls) and kaizen don (thinly sliced sashimi on rice).
My go-to order here is the truffle roast Wagyu don, which consists of Australian Wagyu, truffle paste, mushrooms, and a soft-boiled egg. The steak is so tender and buttery, and the paste and mushrooms add a dash of earthiness to the dish.
If you’re on a budget, this restaurant also has a separate izakaya menu that’s filled with affordable snacks and drinks.
Pro Tip:
- Sometimes, Aburi-EN hosts special promotions like student meals, free drinks, and limited-time discounts.
Fragrant Garden
— From: noods.sg
Address: 756 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-15/16 Upper Serangoon Shopping Center
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5:30 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6562897301
Fragrant Garden started in Geylang in the 1950s, and it got popular enough to expand to other neighborhoods, including Serangoon. Teochew cuisine is the specialty here, and they really nail it!
I like starting my meal with the lobster rolls. The dish is served cold with vegetables, so it’s kind of refreshing. Then, for the main course, I usually go for the Stomach and Pork Rib Soup, which is incredibly hearty. The broth is also a savory delight.
Pro Tip:
- If you order from the website, you might be able to enjoy special promotions like a discount on your order.
YUN NANS
— From: yunnanssg
Address: 23 Serangoon Central, B1-15 NEX
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6569707883
The dishes served at YUN NANS are hard to find in Singapore. Specializing in authentic Yunnan ethnic cuisine, this restaurant uses fresh ingredients like wild porcini, black truffles, and edible flowers taken from the highlands of the Yunnan Province in China!
The menu is pretty extensive here, but my go-to dish is the boneless spicy chicken with Sichuan peppercorns. It’s so spicy that my mouth always has a tingling sensation every time I eat it, but I love it all the same.
I also really like the braised wild porcini mushrooms, which is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The mushrooms are tender, savory, and aromatic, and of course, they pack a good punch as well.
Pro Tip:
- If you’re dining with other people, there are set meals available here.
Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ
— From: 365days2play and seoraesg
Address: 23 Serangoon Central, #B1-73/74 NEX
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6593855045
Korean BBQ is all the rage these days (at least for me and my friends), so we’re always on the hunt for new Korean BBQ spots. Fortunately, Seorae satisfies our cravings just fine!
There are many options for meat cuts, but my favorite one is the dry-aged pork belly. This meat hails from Spain, and wow, it’s so tender that it practically melts in my mouth! The Wagyu options are just succulent, so I always get that as well.
To make your BBQ experience even better, be sure to get the melted cheese. It pairs really well with the grilled meat!
Pro Tip:
- There are promotions available every now and then. These can be discounts to celebrate the restaurant’s anniversary and meal sets only available during lunch.
Clovelly
— From: clovelly.sg
Address: 15-2 Jln Riang
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +6588358987
Are you a big fan of brunch? If so, then I have just the spot for you in Serangoon: Clovelly.
This cozy spot is best known for serving pasta and other Western favorites. I tried the crab on crab pasta here and was totally delighted by it. The sauce absorbed the subtle sweetness of the crab, and the crab meat was also tender.
For dessert, I recommend getting the banana orange foster. It’s just bursting with sugary goodness! Plus, it has interesting textures—crunchy from the crushed crackers and moist and fluffy from the banana cake.
Pro Tip:
- If you’re dining with eight people or more, you need to call the restaurant and ask them about availability.
Waa Cow! Yakiniku
— From: waacowsg
Address: 1 Maju Ave, #02-10/11 myVillage
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 to 3 pm, 4:30 to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—12 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6598360693
Waa Cow! Yakiniku is the perfect restaurant if you’re in a rush but still want a delicious meal. This place specializes in rice bowls that are made with tender Wagyu beef!
I really love the truffle Wagyu beef flavor because it tastes rich and earthy, but the spicy mentaiko one is also great (I can never resist spicy dishes). If you don’t like beef, there are also options for seafood (e.g. salmon) and chicken.
Pro Tip:
- If you’re ordering from the website, you can enjoy free delivery so long as the total is S$100 and above.
East Bistro
— From: eastbistro2018
Address: 1 Maju Ave, #02-01 myVillage
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 3 pm, 5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6566342998
I first heard about East Bistro because it’s helmed by Chef Tony Wong, a renowned chef who once worked at the Michelin-starred Lei Garden HK and SG. Curious, I decided to try it, and now this has become one of my favorite dim sum spots ever.
My go-to dim sum options are the steamed vegetable and meat dumplings and steamed egg yolk buns. I love how springy they are, and the fillings are always so rich and savory!
There are also dishes here featuring meat I’ve never tried before. For example, stewed goose is served here! I have to taste that next time I stop by this restaurant.
Pro Tip:
- Reserve your spot ahead of time just in case. You can do so via the website or phone.
Hong Chang Frog Porridge and BBQ Fish
— From: hongchangeatinghouse
Address: 2 Braddell Rd
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—3 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +6591603125
Have you ever tried frog porridge before? Well, now you can by visiting Hong Chang, a popular frog porridge spot in Serangoon!
The frog porridge here is made of frog leg that’s drenched in a thick, viscous sauce. The meat is incredibly tender and tastes rich and savory. I like that the sauce packs a nice punch of heat and is then replaced by the slight tang of vinegar.
This dish can get cloying considering its intense flavors, so as a palate cleanser, order an ambarella juice. It’s a tart and sweet drink that will refresh you in no time.
Pro Tip:
- Avoid coming here late in the evening because the line can get really long during that time.
Joji’s Diner
— From: jojisdiner
Address: 534 Upper Serangoon Rd
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +6569930461
Joji’s Diner specializes in American fast food delights. And this restaurant really sticks to the theme because the interior does look like a diner you can find in the US during the 1950s!
So far, my favorite is the chicken and waffle because I’m obsessed with the crunchy and fluffy texture combination. If I’m craving something more filling, I order the Bello Burger, which has two thick, cheesy patties. By the time I finish it, I’m ready to go into a coma!
Kelim Dakdoritang
— From: kelim_sg
Address: 14B Kensington Park Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12:30 to 2 am, 11:30 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +6562414241
Kelim Dakdoritang is another great recommendation for hotpot lovers. To be more specific, this is perfect for people who love chicken and spicy things because “dakdoritang” means “spicy chicken hotpot.”
The hotpot broth is rich in umami flavors. It’s also super garlicky, which I don’t mind because I love garlic. When it comes to toppings, you have chicken pieces (you can have them crispy), potatoes that soak up all the broth, and springy rice cakes.
Once you’re done with most of the toppings, the staff will then cook rice in the remaining broth. The result is scorched fried rice, and it is glorious!
Pro Tip:
- Dinnertime (around 6 to 9 pm) is the peak hours of this restaurant. I recommend coming here during lunchtime instead.
Little Farms Bar + Grill
— From: littlefarms
Address: 1 Maju Avenue, Serangoon Garden Way, #01-09/10/11 MyVillage
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—8:30 am to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—8:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6531587041
Little Farms is actually best known for being an organic grocery store, but it also has a restaurant, so you should dine here as well. The dishes are made with organic ingredients too, so you can expect them to be healthy.
I love coming here for breakfast or brunch, and my go-to order is fish and chips. I love that I can choose whether the fish is battered or pan-seared, and the dish also comes with mixed greens as a side.
For my drink, I’ll go with any of the smoothies, but sometimes, I get a cocktail instead.
Pro Tip:
- If you like shopping here, you might want to join the Avocado Club. This membership program will give you many perks, such as discounts and cashback.
Yakiniku-GO
— From: yakinikugo.sg
Address: 23 Serangoon Central, #B1-78 NEX
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6566342003
Yakiniku-GO is another BBQ spot in Serangoon that you have to try. The prices here are also affordable, which is great to hear!
There are several meal sets to choose from. The signature option is the Yakiniku-GO Set, which has all the best-selling meat cuts (e.g., beef short plate, beef ribeye steak, and beef tongue), rice, soup, and kimchi (or you can get a salad instead).
Pro Tips:
- Sometimes, this restaurant has some special promotions like student deals and limited-time dishes.
- If you like the food here, you might want to join the &Rewards program. It’s the restaurant’s membership program that lets you enjoy fun perks like complimentary vouchers, birthday bonuses, and even free food items!
Serangoon BBQ and Curry 1983
— From: sbc.1983
Address: 22 Sin Ming Rd, #01-210
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9:30 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +6588844322
Formerly known as Serangoon Nasi Padang, Serangoon BBQ and Curry 1983 is another great dining spot if you’re on a budget. The prices here are relatively low, but the dishes are delicious and hearty!
I love ordering the fried chicken leg because it’s so crispy and juicy. It also comes with mixed greens as a side, making the dish extra healthy. If you can tolerate spice, you can request your order to come with chili and curry—at no additional cost!
Pro Tip:
- This place offers an omakase option (in which you’ll leave the choice of what dish to eat to the chef) but only on weekends and public holidays. It can get crowded during these times, but this experience is a must-try.
PLONK
— From: plonk.sg
Address: 7 Maju Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 11:30 pm
Located in the heart of Serangoon Gardens, PLONK is a charming restaurant boasting contemporary vibes. As for the food, you can expect Australian classics—from hearty breakfasts to an eclectic range of wines, spirits, and Melbourne-style coffees.
Since I usually come here for brunch, my go-to order is the PLONK’s Big Brekkie. It truly is a big breakfast because it’s loaded with fried eggs, pork sausage, grilled tomato, mixed mushrooms, bacon, and more. With this dish, I’m full in no time!
Pro Tips:
- Test your knowledge and wits by participating in the restaurant’s trivia nights.
- If you want to host an event in this restaurant, fill out this form.
- There are daily deals available here! Take advantage of them when you can.
Hajime Tonkatsu and Ramen
— From: hajime_tonkatsu_ramen
Address: 1 Maju Avenue, myVillage @ Serangoon Garden, #02-07/8/9
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 2:45 pm, 5 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6565099952
Hajime is all about affordable tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) and ramen. Plus, it has a warm, friendly ambiance. What’s not to love?
My favorite dish I’ve tried so far is the Nagoya miso loin because the pork loin is so crispy, and the miso sauce adds a nice kick of umami.
For the ramen, the Kurobuta shabu ramen is a must-try. The broth is so creamy and savory, and the noodles are springy and chewy. It can get really spicy, though, so be warned!
Pro Tip:
- If you order any of the tonkatsu sets, you can enjoy free-flow rice and cabbage! A la carte orders, on the other hand, aren’t eligible for refills.