Serangoon Area Guide

There’s a slightly slower pace of life in this quaint residential neighbourhood. While some may call it sleepy, others will love its peaceful village vibe. Formerly home to British officers and their families in the 1950s, Serangoon is most famous for the Chomp Chomp Food Centre (officially called the Serangoon Gardens Food Centre), arguably one of the best hawker centres in Singapore. There’s much more to this laidback North East community than that, though.

Ever since the Australian and French international Schools moved into the area, Serangoon has become an expat enclave. Private estates and condos include The Scala, Chiltern Park, Crystal De Azure, Sun Glade, Chuan Park, and newer developments such as Gambir Ridge, Bartley Ridge and Bartley Residences. Older neighbourhoods include Serangoon Gardens, also known as the ‘Gardens’ or ‘Ang Sar Lee’ because of its distinctive red zinc-roofed buildings from the 1950s and 1960s. This neighbourhood has quiet streets lined with spacious condos and family houses, and its low-rise landscape helps to create a laidback villagey ambience.

There are several good local eateries at Chomp Chomp and all along Kensington Park Road and Serangoon Garden Way. At myVillage shopping mall (the former Paramount theatre) you’ll find everything from organic products through to electronic gadgets, and the six-storey Nex mall houses big brands and a rooftop playground with wet and dry play areas. While there are plenty of leisure attractions in nearby Hougang, Sengkang and Bishan, closer to home you’ll find Serangoon Community Park. The incredibly family-friendly Serangoon Gardens Country Club has an Olympic-sized swimming pool, water play area, gym and bowling alley.

Transport links
The Serangoon MRT station (North East and Circle Lines) provides good links to the city, and Lorung Chuan MRT station is another option for residents living away from the central Serangoon Gardens area. By car, there’s easy access onto the CTE to reach other parts of the city. Many condos here offer private shuttle services for work and school trips.

Schools
International schools include the Australian International School Singapore and the French School of Singapore.

Healthcare
The Kensington Family Clinic covers a wide range of healthcare services, including family medicine, and there are A&E departments a 15-minute drive away at Farrer Park and Raffles Hospitals.

Shopping
There are plenty of shops along the main strips, Kensington Park Road and Serangoon Garden Way, as well as myVillage mall. The enormous Nex shopping mall is one of the largest in Singapore.

Attractions
Food is the main attraction here, but there are leisure facilities at Serangoon Gardens Country Club.

Bars and restaurants
For some of the best hawker food, head to the Chomp Chomp Food Centre. Cafes and restaurants in the malls and along Kensington Park Road and Serangoon Garden Way serve up menus of local and international fare; there’s a great cafe culture here and, although nightlife is low key, there are some trendy retro pubs.

Who lives here?
French and Australian expats, as well as locals.

Serangoon Ratings

Serangoon Pros & Cons