10 finest locations to eat at NEX mall from ramen to hotpot

NEX is the biggest mall in Singapore’s North-East in addition to one of many largest within the nation. ‘NEX’ is the acronym for North-East Exchange as it’s the nex-us (haha) between Serangoon Bus Interchange and the Serangoon MRT Station, which hyperlinks the North-East Line to the Circle Line.

Over its 7 flooring, there are 2 meals courts and at least 69 eating places, cafes and quick meals shops. Coincidentally, the top of that sentence marked the primary 69 phrases of this text. Viola! Word magic accomplished, let’s get into the meals magic at NEX.

Here’s my record of the prime 10 meals spots to discover while you’re at NEX.

1. Monster Curry (#B1-08)

Turning 10 in October 2022, Monster Curry is one among my favorite locations to eat at in any mall. Their scrumptious Japanese demi-glace curry is created from at least 14 totally different greens and spices and ready over 2 days. The result’s a delectably aromatic curry, wealthy in style and bursting with flavour. They earn their ‘monster’ identify by presenting meals in 2 plate sizes— 35cm and 41cm.

If you’re in a gaggle of as much as 3, it’s exhausting to go previous the Monster Combo Curry (S$32). You get Pork Katsu, Pork Shabu-Shabu, Shrimp Tempura, Fried Fish and Cheese. Prefer seafood? The Sea Monster Curry (S$32) with Fried Fish, Fried Shrimp, Fried Salmon Fillet and Shrimp Tempura is the simple resolution.

Dishes can be found in 5 totally different ranges of spiciness. Only go for the ‘Monster Spicy’ one you probably have a hearth extinguisher useful.

+65 6634 2168
Mon to Fri: 11am – 4pm & 5pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
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2. Penang Culture (#B1-76/77)

Penang is understood for its vibrant and eclectic road meals scene and Penang Culture brings that distinctive style to our shores. While there isn’t a scarcity of the quintessential conventional favourites, additionally they characteristic a spread of artistic new dishes that preserve prospects coming again for extra.

The menu is split into 5 classes: Penang Wok Fried, Penang Noodle, Penang Specialty Rice, Penang Western and ‘Other Penang Hawker Delights‘.

Their signature dish is the Penang Assam Laksa. Created with noodles specifically imported from Penang and cooked in conventional Assam gravy, this dish additionally incorporates sardine, ginger flower, laksa leaves, assam (tamarind), shrimp paste and a bunch of herbs and spices. Let’s simply say that that is their signature dish for a bunch of excellent causes!

One of my favourites on the menu is Kuih Pie Tee (6 pcs). These Peranakan could also be bite-sized however they pack a truckload of flavour. Pull them aside and you will see stir-fried turnips, shredded omelette, garlic and carrot with a dressing of black candy sauce and chilli.

+65 6634 0667
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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3. Hui Lau Shan Singapore (#B2-62)

The NEX department of Hui Lau Shan is the one one that is still of the three that the Hong Kong dessert chain used to function in Singapore. While the JEM and Chinatown Point shops closed inside the previous yr, this one sees no scarcity of consumers hankering for an inexpensive candy deal with.

They nonetheless promote their well-known Mango Sago, which grew to become a phenomenon within the Nineties and impressed innumerable copycats. Most objects on their menu— each the stable and liquid desserts have mango in them in some kind, and nearly all have some fruit or one other as an ingredient. Quite wholesome!

Hui Lau Shan makes use of Carabao mangoes, which is supposedly the sweetest selection on this planet. With the takeaway possibility, these desserts are positively an effective way to make your NEX go to much more pleasurable. Just keep in mind to not go away your order till too late— they usually run out of the most well-liked objects earlier than closing time.

+65 6634 5909
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
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4. Idaten Udon (#B1-02)

Idaten Udon payments itself because the udon specialty idea restaurant the place diners turn into the top chef. It’s an allusion to their method of letting you select every component of your dish as you create your meal on the self-serve stations.

They have a choice of udon noodles, with flavours that embrace tomato, pumpkin, matcha and yuzu, in addition to fascinating sides, tempura and soups. Another purpose for his or her reputation is that the mains change often. You will most likely be met with fairly a special menu each time you go to, and I really like that type of culinary experimentation and creativity.

Idaten Udon is an effective possibility for each inexpensive meals, for instance, the Curry Rice (S$5) and premium ones such because the Beef Curry Udon (S$9.50). Among the edges, some of the standard choices is the Fried Enoki (S$1.50) however I want the Prawn Tempura Onigiri (S$2.80) and the Deep-Fried Chicken Onigiri (S$2.20).

+65 6509 0881
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Website

5. Jinjja Chicken (#B2-60/61)

Jinjja Chicken is likely one of the most profitable Korean chain eating places which have flourished in Singapore over the previous few years. Part of the reason being that inexplicable (to me) wave of loving the whole lot Korean however I’ve to confess, the Korean fried rooster and Jiajag Myeon (black bean noodles) (S$8.90) right here is fairly good.

This NEX outlet opened within the final week of October and ran out of rooster on the primary day on account of overwhelming demand!

For the uninitiated, Korean fried rooster is totally different from different variations for its lighter and nearly paper-thin crispy pores and skin. It’s most likely simply an excuse for me to eat extra however this rooster goes down simple! (You gained’t really feel so responsible while you be taught that they minimise the quantity of preservatives and components of their meals)

Try the 6 Pcs Jinjja Wings (S$8.30) in the event you’re a noob. Meanwhile, additionally they have the slightly-insane 100 Pcs Jinjja Wings (S$100.90) on the menu.

Sun to Thu: 11am – 8.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 9pm
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6. Ramen Kiou (#B1-80B)

Coming straight to you from Osaka in Japan the place it operates greater than 20 shops, Ramen Kiou brings with it the genuine style of Japanese conventional delicacies. The chain of eating places was established in 1995 and makes use of authentic recipes primarily based on the ‘Taste of Kiou’, an idea that focuses on the concord of the three important parts— Noodles, Chashu and Broth.

Some of the dishes that it is best to strive are the Signature Kiou Ramen, Signature Kiou Chashu, Shoyu Tonkotsu Chashu Ramen, Riki (Garlic) Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Mentai Abura Soba and the Roasted Beef Tomato Ramen.

Their chilled ramen is mild and springy and comes with you selection of dipping sauce. I haven’t tried it myself however you’ll be able to apparently get a top-up of your rice with garlic or cheese. Besides noodle dishes, Ramen Kiou additionally has donburi bowls.

+65 6634 0051
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Website

7. Shabu-GO (#B1-80A)

Right subsequent door to Ramen Kiou is Shabu-GO, which distinguishes itself with a menu replete with Japanese-style hotpot set meals. The identify is a tackle shabu-shabu, which refers to hotpot dishes of greens and thinly-sliced meat. These elements are boiled in water and the identify ‘shabu’ itself is a reference to the sound the elements make when they’re moved by means of the new water.

Shabu-Go focuses on the solo diner in addition to {couples} somewhat than the communal shared meal sometimes seen on this setting. If you’re eating by yourself, the inexpensive Value-GO (S$9.90) set is a secure possibility for a full tummy. It comes with meat, a veggie platter and Japanese vermicelli.

For one thing extra particular, strive the Signature Pork & Beef Set, that’s served with pork collar, beef brief plate, mini GO-Special cuttlefish paste with corn, a veggie platter and Japanese vermicelli.

Both units additionally come along with your selection of soup base that features choices akin to Healthy Clear Dashi, Chicken Chintan and the ever-popular Sukiyaki. Add one other S$2-S$4  for premium soup bases, together with Refreshing Yuzu Dashi, collagen-rich Paitan and Ginseng Tonkotsu.

+65 6634 0029
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Website

8. Beauty In the Pot (#02-01)

Beauty within the Pot is one among my normal decisions every time I’m having a tough time deciding the place to eat. That’s positively not a criticism— that assertion makes me realise that this restaurant has been constantly good for all of the 11 years it has been working in Singapore.

I really like my tomato soup base at any hotpot restaurant and right here, the Vitamin C Tomato Sweet Corn Broth (S$18.80 single pot) is my favorite. Number 2 is the Spicy Nourishing Broth (S$24.80 single pot). It is a pork bone broth of Chinese herbs famous for each their flavour and their dietary worth, akin to pink dates, wolfberries, ginseng, dang gui, dang shen and extra.

If you need to splurge, the Assorted Pork & Beef Platter (S$60.80) is the way in which to go. It has US Wagyu Beef, US Kurobuta Pork, Nagano Pork Belly, Sliced Spanish Pork Collar and US Marbled Beef Cube.

+65 6805 8172
Daily: 11.30am – 3am
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9. Graffiti Café (#B2-62)

Graffiti Cafe at NEX shocked me however not in a foul approach. From the identify, I assumed it will most likely be a western-style hipster cafe with burgers and fries on the menu. It was fairly a pleasant shock to show up and see a buzzing cafe serving conventional Chinese fare as an alternative. The place does dwell as much as its identify, although.

Apparently, their Wanton Noodles are their best-selling dish. Served with crispy wantons, additionally they include an honest quantity of egg noodles, scrumptious slices of pork and a facet of crunchy greens. I personally want the dry model.

There can be a spread of facet dishes; I at all times select one from the Fried Carrot Cake, Fried Yam Cake and Chicken Nuggets. For dessert, look no additional than the Mini Ah Balling with Longan Soup.

+65 6634 5909
Daily: 9am – 10pm

10. Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice (#B1-05/06)

With over 60 years of historical past, Go-Ang Pratunam has come a good distance from a small stall specialising in Hainanese Chicken Rice in Bangkok’s Pratunam district. Its Bangkok restaurant has gained the Michelin Bib Gourmand award yearly from 2018. In that very same yr, it introduced that custom of culinary excellence to Singapore.

Go-Ang Pratunam is the plain selection for any rooster rice connoisseur. We have all tried our native variations however this Thai concoction known as Khao Man Gai is one other serenade to your style buds. It is offered with a secret chilli sauce that’s made by them.

Choose between the Single Portion Chicken Rice and the Single Portion Chicken Thigh Rice. Both characteristic rooster meat that’s supremely tender and scrumptious however it’s the alluring perfume that at all times will get me.

They even have a fairly in depth vary of Stir Fried Vegetables and Thai-Style Whole Fish and Thai Desserts and drinks.

Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
+65 6509 9980
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