Serangoon is one of the easiest neighbourhoods in Singapore for a family meal, thanks to the huge cluster of sit-down restaurants inside NEX (right on top of Serangoon MRT) plus the leafy Serangoon Gardens, myVillage and Kensington Park enclaves a short bus ride away. This guide focuses on restaurants that genuinely welcome kids and larger family groups: round-table Chinese and zi char for reunions, hotpot and Korean BBQ that keep everyone busy, and casual Thai, Japanese and Western spots with space, sharing portions and high chairs. Hours and halal status change, so confirm with the venue before a big group visit.
Last verified: September 2026. Hours and prices can change — we re-check our guides regularly, but do confirm before a special trip.
The list
PUTIEN (NEX) Fujian / Heng Hwa Chinese · $$
Popular Fujian chain with shareable round-table dishes and clean, comfortable seating – a reliable pick for multi-generational family meals inside NEX.
- Cuisine: Fujian / Heng Hwa Chinese
- Price: $$ · ~$20-30/pax
- Must-try: Fujian Seafood Lor Mee, Stir-fried Yam, Bamboo Clams in Superior Broth
- Where: 23 Serangoon Central, #02-18/19, NEX, Singapore 556083
- Area: Serangoon Central (NEX)
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) – direct mall access
- Halal: No
18 Seafood Zi Char / Chinese Seafood · $$
Neighbourhood zi char with big sharing plates and room for extended-family gatherings, a few minutes' walk from Serangoon MRT.
- Cuisine: Zi Char / Chinese Seafood
- Price: $$ · ~$14-28 per dish; ~$25-35/pax
- Must-try: Champagne Pork Ribs, Cereal Prawns, Claypot dishes
- Where: 2 Lorong Lew Lian, #01-56, Singapore 531002
- Area: Lorong Lew Lian (near Serangoon MRT)
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle)
- Hours: Daily 11am-2:30pm, 4:30pm-9pm
- Halal: No
Beauty in the Pot (NEX) Chinese Hotpot · $$$
Collagen-broth hotpot where each diner cooks their own; the interactive format and non-spicy broths make it easy with kids and mixed groups.
- Cuisine: Chinese Hotpot
- Price: $$$ · ~$40-50/pax; weekday lunch set from ~$16.80++
- Must-try: Beauty Collagen Broth, Spicy Nourishing Broth, Handmade meatballs
- Where: 23 Serangoon Central, #02-01, NEX, Singapore 556083
- Area: Serangoon Central (NEX)
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) – direct mall access
- Halal: No
Dian Xiao Er (NEX) Cantonese / Chinese Roast Duck · $$
Herbal roast-duck restaurant with comforting soups and rice dishes, a fuss-free sit-down option families return to at NEX.
- Cuisine: Cantonese / Chinese Roast Duck
- Price: $$ · ~$25-35/pax; herbal duck from ~$18.50++
- Must-try: Duck Roasted with Angelica Herb, Herbal soups, Claypot dishes
- Where: 23 Serangoon Central, #02-09/10, NEX, Singapore 556083
- Area: Serangoon Central (NEX)
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) – direct mall access
- Halal: No
Genki Sushi (NEX) Japanese (Conveyor Sushi) · $$
Order-by-tablet conveyor sushi where dishes zoom to the table – the novelty keeps younger kids entertained through the meal.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Conveyor Sushi)
- Price: $$ · ~$15-25/pax; plates from ~$2.90++
- Must-try: Ebi Katsu, Assorted nigiri, Aburi salmon
- Where: 23 Serangoon Central, #04-21/22, NEX, Singapore 556083
- Area: Serangoon Central (NEX)
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) – direct mall access
- Halal: No
iSteaks Western Steakhouse · $$
Value steakhouse in myVillage with kid-pleasing fried chicken and steaks, a casual Western option for family dinners in the Gardens.
- Cuisine: Western Steakhouse
- Price: $$ · ~$15-25/pax; grassfed ribeye ~$19.50
- Must-try: Grassfed Ribeye, Fried Chicken, Calamari Rings
- Where: 1 Maju Avenue, #02-03, myVillage, Singapore 556679
- Area: Serangoon Gardens (myVillage)
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) + bus
- Halal: No
Soi Thai Thai · $$
Colourful, casual Thai eatery in Serangoon Gardens with shareable dishes and mild options that work for family tables.
- Cuisine: Thai
- Price: $$ · ~$15-20/pax
- Must-try: Thick Tom Yam Soup Chicken, Beef Panaeng, Thai green curry
- Where: 58 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555954
- Area: Serangoon Gardens
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) + bus
- Hours: Daily 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm
- Halal: No
Seorae (NEX) Korean BBQ · $$$
Tabletop Korean BBQ with free-flow banchan; grilling together at the table makes it fun for larger family groups and teens.
- Cuisine: Korean BBQ
- Price: $$$ · ~$35-45/pax; galmaegisal from ~$21.90++
- Must-try: Galmaegisal (skirt meat), Marinated pork, Korean side dishes (banchan)
- Where: 23 Serangoon Central, #B1-73/74, NEX, Singapore 556083
- Area: Serangoon Central (NEX)
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) – direct mall access
- Halal: No
Kelim Dakdoritang Korean · $$
Korean braised-chicken specialist with a big shared pot and a non-spicy version, making it workable for families with young children.
- Cuisine: Korean
- Price: $$ · ~$25-35 sharing pot for the table
- Must-try: Dakdoritang (braised chicken), Non-spicy braised chicken option
- Where: 14B Kensington Park Road, Singapore 557266
- Area: Kensington Park (Serangoon Gardens)
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) + bus
- Halal: No
Srisun Express Indian / Prata · $
24-hour prata and Indian-Muslim eatery in Serangoon Gardens – a reliable, wallet-friendly halal option for families at any hour.
- Cuisine: Indian / Prata
- Price: $ · ~$5-10/pax; dishes $1.40-22
- Must-try: Tissue Prata, Murtabak, Plain and stuffed prata
- Where: 56 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555952
- Area: Serangoon Gardens
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) + bus
- Hours: Daily 24 hours
- Halal: Halal-certified (per Eatbook listing; confirm current MUIS certification before visiting)
Oriental Kopi (NEX) Malaysian Kopitiam · $$
Modern Malaysian kopitiam with all-day local favourites and famous egg tarts – a relaxed, broadly appealing family stop inside NEX.
- Cuisine: Malaysian Kopitiam
- Price: $$ · ~$12-18/pax; nasi lemak ~$9.50++
- Must-try: Signature Nasi Lemak, Egg Tarts, Kaya toast sets
- Where: 23 Serangoon Central, #B1-15, NEX, Singapore 556083
- Area: Serangoon Central (NEX)
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon MRT (NEL/Circle) – direct mall access
- Halal: No
At a glance: compare every spot
| Spot | Cuisine | Price | Area | Halal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUTIEN (NEX) | Fujian / Heng Hwa Chinese | $$ | Serangoon Central (NEX) | No |
| 18 Seafood | Zi Char / Chinese Seafood | $$ | Lorong Lew Lian (near Serangoon MRT) | No |
| Beauty in the Pot (NEX) | Chinese Hotpot | $$$ | Serangoon Central (NEX) | No |
| Dian Xiao Er (NEX) | Cantonese / Chinese Roast Duck | $$ | Serangoon Central (NEX) | No |
| Genki Sushi (NEX) | Japanese (Conveyor Sushi) | $$ | Serangoon Central (NEX) | No |
| iSteaks | Western Steakhouse | $$ | Serangoon Gardens (myVillage) | No |
| Soi Thai | Thai | $$ | Serangoon Gardens | No |
| Seorae (NEX) | Korean BBQ | $$$ | Serangoon Central (NEX) | No |
| Kelim Dakdoritang | Korean | $$ | Kensington Park (Serangoon Gardens) | No |
| Srisun Express | Indian / Prata | $ | Serangoon Gardens | Halal-certified (per Eatbook listing; confirm current MUIS certification before visiting) |
| Oriental Kopi (NEX) | Malaysian Kopitiam | $$ | Serangoon Central (NEX) | No |
Your questions answered
How much should a family meal in Serangoon cost?
It varies widely. Casual spots like Srisun Express run roughly S$5-12 per person, sit-down Chinese, Thai and Japanese places like Putien, 18 Seafood, Soi Thai and Genki Sushi sit around S$15-30 per person, while hotpot and Korean BBQ (Beauty in the Pot, Seorae) are closer to S$35-50 per person.
Which MRT are these restaurants near?
The NEX venues (Putien, Beauty in the Pot, Dian Xiao Er, Genki Sushi, Seorae, Oriental Kopi) and nearby Serangoon Central spots sit directly at or beside Serangoon MRT (North East and Circle Lines). Serangoon Gardens, myVillage and Kensington Park (iSteaks, Soi Thai, Kelim, Srisun) are not walking distance from the MRT – take a short bus or taxi from Serangoon MRT.
Do I need to book for a large family group?
For weekends, festive periods and bigger tables it's best to reserve, especially at popular sit-down spots like Putien, 18 Seafood, Beauty in the Pot and Seorae. Casual eateries and NEX food outlets are mostly walk-in, but expect queues at peak meal times.
Are there halal options for families in Serangoon?
Srisun Express in Serangoon Gardens is listed as halal-certified and open 24 hours, and NEX also has halal-certified chains such as Go-Ang Pratunam chicken rice and Jollibee. Certification can change, so verify current MUIS status directly with the outlet before a group visit.
Which spots are easiest with young kids and strollers?
The NEX restaurants are the most stroller- and high-chair-friendly thanks to lift access, baby-changing rooms and wide mall walkways. Conveyor-belt Genki Sushi and interactive formats like hotpot and Korean BBQ tend to keep children engaged, while claypot and zi char places offer familiar rice dishes and mild flavours.