13 Serangoon Gardens Things To Do Including Low-Key Food Haunts That Aren’t Chomp Chomp

Things to do in Serangoon Gardens

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Think of Serangoon Gardens and the first thing that comes to mind is Chomp Chomp – it’s probably everyone’s go-to Grab drop-off point. As much as the area is known for the iconic hawker centre, there are still many other things to do in Serangoon Gardens.

From art jamming to streets with “overseas suburbs” feels, Serangoon Gardens is a charming neighbourhood with many sides to its character. With low-key Serangoon Garden food haunts and hidden gems, here’s why this ‘hood is worth a visit.

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– What to eat at Serangoon Gardens? –

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1. Plonk

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Aussie restaurant & bar with daily deals

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Enjoy thin crust pizzas all day from $24.
Image credit: @cafelovesfood via Instagram

No matter which day of the week you head to Plonk, your day will be made that much sweeter by their daily deals. You can look forward to 2-for-1 pasta (from $21) or risotto (from $23) on Mondays, 2-for-1 pizzas on Tuesdays, and a free meal for kids under 10 on Sundays.

It’s also a lovely spot for Saturday brunch because you can enjoy 2 coffees (from $5) for the price of 1. Their Melbourne-style coffee is freshly brewed using beans from Merchant Coffee Roasters, so you know you’re getting the real deal.

The place is also open till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, if you’ve got a late-night craving for Italian grub. Plus, cocktails start at just $14.

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2. Serangoon Gardens Bakery & Confectionery

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Old-school bakery in Serangoon Garden Market with kaya buns

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Image credit: Eatbook

Serangoon Gardens Bakery & Confectionery has been around since the 1970s, and is well-loved by the neighbourhood residents. You’ll find a long queue forming at their hawker stall in Serangoon Garden Market & Food Centre from early in the morning as they open around 6am.

Bread lovers flock to this place for their affordable buns that cost around $1.20. Sweet fillings include yam paste, red bean, peanut, coconut, and kaya. Those who prefer savoury options can find luncheon meat, tuna, prawn sambal, and curry buns. There are cream puffs too. Head there early as they usually run out by lunch time.

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3. Chu & Co.

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Artisan sourdough bakery & coffee

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Helmed by 2 friends, Chu & Co. is an artisan sourdough bakery that sells a whole range of savoury bakes and sweet viennoiseries – pretty solid fare if you’re craving for a sourdough done right.

Judging by the spread on the shelf, it’s not surprising that many customers leave with a box full of goods to bring home and share with their families. We recommend the Four Cheese Applewood Cheddar ($6) and Plum & Peach Danish ($6).

Apart from the baked goods, their grilled sandwiches are also a hit amongst customers. Favourites include the Mushroom Melt ($13) and Gorgonzola Bacon ($14).

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4. New Eastern Kim Tee

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Traditional 40-year-old bak kwa shop

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Image credit: New Eastern Kim Tee

CNY may be over for the year, but you can still enjoy the guilty pleasures of bak kwa and pineapple tarts from New Eastern Kim Tee. This store, a mainstay in our favourite pork jerky snack scene, expertly does the delicacy with zero gimmicks.

The go-to best-seller is the Signature Bak Kwa ($36/600g), but if you’re looking for an extra spice kick, there’s Chilli Bak Kwa ($37.20/600g) and – of course – the Truffle Bak Kwa ($30/300g). Each piece is substantially meaty, beautifully charred and rather addictive, even if it leads to a tad increase in our waistlines.

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5. La Petite Boutique

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French bakery with cheese platters

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La Petite Boutique is an authentic mini grocery that brings a taste of France to Singapore with French products such as fancy wines and cheese cuts, perfect for your next atas dinner party with friends.

While checking out, you can also grab a few things from their selection of bakes supplied by Tiong Bahru Bakery, which also has an outlet around the corner at Maju Avenue. 

While you’re here, be sure to check their newly opened upstairs area with a wine cellar and items such as assorted chutneys and confits to accompany your cheese platters, starting from $10.90.

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6. Orh-Kee Noodles

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Bak Chor Mee with hotate scallop

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We’ve heard of many who have travelled across SG and queued for 45 minutes for the famous Seng Kee Bak Chor Mee at Serangoon Gardens Market nearby, but only a few have discovered the hidden gem that is Orh-Kee Noodles. This stall at the coffee shop right outside the neighbourhood’s main bus stop is an understated spot that deserves the hype. 

Abalone slices and scallops are included

Crowd favourites include the Signature Minced Meat Noodles ($8.20) and Handmade Fishball Noodles ($8.20). The former is especially catered for those who love the traditional way of making Bak Chor Mee.

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7. Dessert Bowl

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Durian mousse for D24 enthusiasts

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Other than savouring a scoop of ice-cream or sharing a beer tower, you and your friends can have your post-dinner chill out at Dessert Bowl, a quirky nook of an upstairs unit known for their Hong Kong desserts. 

Cute figurines of delicacy stalls in Hong Kong

The popular dessert place is decorated with lots of pictures, vintage paraphernalia and little floor plan figurines of various food stalls in Hong Kong, adding a little childish playfulness to the whole concept.

Durian lovers can try the restaurant’s number one specialty – Durian Mousse ($7.80). It was a pretty solid treat that was sufficiently creamy and flavourful, and well-textured with fresh durian chunks.

If you prefer other fruits, you won’t feel left out with recommendations such as the Aiyu Mango ($7.30) and Mango Pomelo ($7.30).

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8. Apollo Coffee

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Brunch fare with Scandinavian vibes

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Cafe hopping and minimalism are what every SG millennial has a soft spot for. Offering both of these is Apollo Coffee, the neighbourhood’s go-to brunch spot if you’re in the area and craving for cafe grub and good vibes.

Like our Crate and Barrel dream house, the interior contains lots of muted colours and wooden furniture, adding a touch of Scandi vibes to the aesthetic. 

Though the essentials such as truffle fries and pancakes are done well, we recommend their specialty Breakfast Burger ($20) with bacon and scrambled eggs. It comes with a touch of cheddar, spicy aioli and a side of mini hash browns that helps make it not too jelak.

If you’re in the mood to appease your sweet tooth, try the Summertime French Toast ($19.50) – a spin to the French classic where you can enjoy the humble pear, with a side of its coulis, as well as a few slices of it that are tea-poached. 

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– What to do at Serangoon Gardens? –

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9. ActiveSG Serangoon Sport Centre

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$0.50 entrance fee for kids at the Swimming Complex

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Image adapted from: @ruelbacsal & @benlau89 via Instagram

If you’re looking for affordable ways to stay sporty, look no further than the ActiveSG gyms and swimming pools. Although you’ve got plenty of pay-per-use swimming pools, the complex at ActiveSG Serangoon Sport Centre can’t be beat. We’re talking $0.50/child and $1/adult to have a splashing good time in their pool on weekdays.

On weekends, the entrance fee goes ever so slightly higher at $0.70/child and $1.30/adult – still uber cheap. Early risers can also make use of the running track in the stadium to have a good morning workout while catching the sunrise – it’s the best time to avoid crowds.

Apart from the facilities, ActiveSG members – membership is free BTW – can also sign up for  zumba, yoga, pilates, and HIIT class packages at reasonable prices.

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10. Artfully Yours

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$35 trial for children art classes

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Image adapted from: @artfullyyourssg via Instagram

While we all love to see our kids get creative, having them do so at home can get quite messy. On the other hand, there’s Artfully Yours, a children’s art studio that offers children art classes (from $50/lesson) to let your mini Monets come to life. These are 90-minute guided sessions with coaching and all materials provided.

During each lesson, kids will get to use different mediums such as acrylic paint, colour pencils, charcoal, and clay to unleash their inner artist and bring home their masterpiece at the end. They offer junior, beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, catering to ages from 4 years old onwards.

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11. Parks, underpass & private estates

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“Suburb” vibes

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Beautifully designed homes line the streets of the neighbourhood

If all of Serangoon Gardens’ good food is its yin, then its yang would be the “overseas suburbs” feels you get as you take a morning walk around the estate while admiring the view of all the homes’ architecture.

Then there’s the social media-famous Japanese Cemetery Park where you’ll find gorgeous archways made from purple blooms. Serangoon Community Park is where to go to find some shade and sit on a park bench to admire the sights and sounds of the neighbourhood.

After a stroll along the streets, we’d recommend heading to the AMK-Serangoon underpass just along the outskirts of the estate, which connects to Teck Ghee Neighbourhood Park, which is part of Ang Mo Kio. 

You can soak in both high SES and heartland vibes here – something only fellow S’goon Garden-ers would know. 

Alternatively, if you’re not in the mood for a walk but you still want to spot some aesthetic private houses, hop onto the feeder bus 317, which goes around the estate. 

Address: Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Teck Ghee Neighbourhood Park
Opening hours: 24/7, Daily

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12. The Tamarind Spa

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Body scrubs & massages from $88/hour

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Massages are a self-care luxury, and there’s no dearth of spas in Singapore to release those tense muscles. If you’re looking for some pampering to ease the toll of working life, there’s The Tamarind Spa, which offers body scrubs, massages, and day spa packages.

Massage rooms are small and dimly-lit, creating the right atmosphere for you to unwind. Here, you can enjoy body massages like the Swedish massage and Balinese massage from $88 for 60 minutes.

If you’re craving for a long soak but you don’t have a tub at home, you can sign up for The Tamarind Spa’s Day Spa Packages ($168/2 hours), which comprises a body scrub, a massage, and a choice between ear candling and jacuzzi services.

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13. ActiveSG Burghley

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Squash and tennis from $3.50/hour

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We all talk about the #fitspo life, but there are ways to achieve that beyond hitting up Classpass gyms. ActiveSG Burghley is a tennis and squash centre tucked into a corner of the residential area of Serangoon Gardens, where you can swing some rackets and work up a sweat.

Tennis courts are available from $3.50/hour during non-peak hours and $9.50/hour during peak hours.

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How to get to Serangoon Gardens

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The nearest MRT station to most of these spots currently is Serangoon MRT station on the North-East and Circle lines. There’s also an upcoming Serangoon North Station which will be complete together with the Cross Island Line, slated for 2029.

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Serangoon Gardens neighbourhood guide

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With its cosy spas and new eatery concepts, Serangoon Gardens is no doubt a neighbourhood that’s more than just your regular makan district. Even though I’ve lived here all my life, there are always exciting new things to look forward to while I can still enjoy the favourite nooks from my childhood.

Although the more popular places always satisfy, do treat yourself to something less familiar the next time you visit the area.

For more neighbourhood guides:

• Things to do in Pasir Ris
• Things to do in 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace
• Unique haunts at Holland Village
• Guide to MacRitchie Reservoir

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Photography by Loo Jie Ling.
First published on 23rd February 2022. Last updated by Aditi Kashyap on 19th April 2024.