Shopping Serangoon
NEX Mall Serangoon: Shops, Restaurants, Library & Getting There
Serangoon’s giant hub mall, built over an MRT interchange and a bus interchange: a hypermarket, a cinema, restaurants on every floor and a library on the roof.
NEX is the big mall at 23 Serangoon Central, built directly over Serangoon MRT interchange and the Serangoon bus interchange. It opened in November 2010 and is the largest suburban mall in the North-East, with more than 300 shops across seven levels. Residents use it for everything from the weekly grocery run to dinner and a film, and the rooftop has a public library and play areas for children.
Because it doubles as a transport hub, NEX is busy almost all day. The mall’s online directory is the most reliable way to check a particular shop before you go, especially in 2026, as some large spaces are being re-let.
Getting there
Take the North East Line or the Circle Line to Serangoon (NE12/CC13). The Circle Line station sits beneath the mall, and the North East Line platforms under Upper Serangoon Road are linked by underground passages, so you can get from the train to the shops without stepping outside. The air-conditioned Serangoon Bus Interchange is part of the same building, which makes NEX one of the easiest malls in the North-East to reach by public transport.
If you drive, the car park is in the basement. Weekend afternoons are the busiest time.
What’s inside
The mix changes, so treat this as an overview and check the directory for specific shops.
Groceries and daily needs
A FairPrice Xtra hypermarket is the anchor most residents come for, with groceries, household goods and electronics under one roof. Around it you will find pharmacies, bakeries, takeaway counters, banks and phone shops.
Fashion, electronics and home
Big-name fashion chains such as H&M and Uniqlo have been long-running tenants, along with Courts for appliances and furniture, and POPULAR for books and stationery. Smaller shops cover shoes, beauty, eyewear and sports.
Shaw Theatres
The mall’s multiplex cinema. Book online for weekend evenings and school holidays, when popular films sell out.
Isetan (closed)
The Isetan department store closed on 26 April 2026 after about 15 years at NEX, leaving Scotts as the brand’s only Singapore store. The mall has said new offerings will take over the space. Until then, expect hoarding and shops moving around nearby.
Restaurants and food at NEX
Food is spread across almost every level. Expect quick bites, bakeries, drinks kiosks and takeaway counters, food courts for cheap local meals, and casual sit-down restaurants covering a wide range of cuisines, plus dessert and coffee spots. Our bak kut teh guide includes the outlet in NEX’s basement.
Restaurant line-ups change often, so rather than list names that may have moved, we suggest filtering the mall directory by “food and beverage”. For hawker food, Chomp Chomp in Serangoon Gardens is a short bus ride away in the evening, and Kovan Market & Food Centre is one MRT stop north; see our Hougang hawker centres guide.
Serangoon Library and the rooftop
Serangoon Library
Opened in March 2011, it was Singapore’s first public library built on a rooftop. It has adult and children’s collections, study seats and self-service loans. Seats fill quickly after school and during exam periods. Check the NLB page for current opening hours and closures.
The rooftop garden also has a children’s water and dry playground and a fenced dog run, both unusual for a Singapore mall. Opening times depend on the weather and maintenance, so check the mall’s website or noticeboards before promising the children a splash.
On a wet day, NEX is a handy way to cross Serangoon Central under cover: the MRT station, bus interchange and mall are all connected, so you can change between train and bus without an umbrella.
Tips for visiting
- Beat the crowds: weekday mornings are the calmest. Weekend afternoons and school holidays are the busiest, especially around the food courts and the cinema.
- Study seats: during exam periods, arrive when the library opens if you want a seat.
- Meeting up: with MRT exits, the bus interchange and several entrances, NEX is easy to get lost in. Agree on a specific shop or exit rather than “meet at NEX”.
- Check before you travel: with space being re-let after Isetan’s closure, look up any shop you are making a special trip for.
Who runs NEX
NEX is owned by Gold Ridge Pte Ltd, which also manages the mall. Frasers Centrepoint Trust holds a 50% interest in the owning company, bought in two stages in 2023 and 2024. For shoppers, the practical point is that the mall’s own website and app are where promotions, car park rates and store changes are posted.
Nearby
- NHG Serangoon Polyclinic opened on Upper Serangoon Road near the MRT station in late 2025. It is not an emergency department; call 995 for emergencies.
- Serangoon Gardens, with Chomp Chomp and its village-style shops, is a short bus ride west.
- Kovan and Heartland Mall are one stop north on the North East Line; see our Kovan guide.
For more on the town, go back to our Serangoon guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are NEX’s opening hours?
The mall’s website lists 10.30am to 10.30pm daily as of September 2026. The supermarket, cinema, restaurants, clinics and library each keep their own hours, so check the store listing before a late visit.
Is there a library in NEX?
Yes. Serangoon Library is on the rooftop level (#04-82/83). It opened in 2011 and was the first public library in Singapore built on a rooftop. Check the NLB website for current hours.
Which MRT station is NEX at?
Serangoon (NE12/CC13), the interchange for the North East and Circle lines. The mall sits above the Circle Line station and is connected to the North East Line platforms.
Is there a supermarket in NEX?
Yes, a FairPrice Xtra hypermarket is one of the mall’s long-standing anchors. It is the main reason many Serangoon residents visit on weekday evenings.
Did Isetan NEX close?
Yes. The Isetan department store at NEX closed on 26 April 2026 when its lease ended, after about 15 years. The mall has said new tenants are coming; check its website for updates.
Details checked September 2026 against the operators’ own websites. Opening hours and services change, so please confirm before you go. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.