A 100-Year-Old Katong Institution Heads North
Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, the legendary East Coast bakery and cafe that has served kaya toast and luncheon meat buns since 1925, is opening its first ever outlet outside Katong - at NEX in Serangoon. Slated for Q3 2026, the new cafe will occupy Basement 2 of the mall, directly connected to Serangoon MRT station.
The opening is significant. Chin Mee Chin announced the closure of its Katong flagship in 2018, then reopened three years later in a refurbished space. The brand celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025 with limited-edition dishes and merchandise. Until now, every single outlet has been on the East Coast. The Serangoon move brings the heritage brand to the heartlands for the first time.
The Menu - Nostalgic Favourites Plus New Mains
The NEX outlet is expected to follow a similar setup and menu to the Katong original. The classic Kaya Toast and Luncheon Meat Bun will be there, alongside newer mains introduced during the centenary celebrations: Curry Pork Chop and Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens.
For those who have never tried it, the kaya toast here is the old-school sort - thin, crisp bread toasted over charcoal, spread with house-made kaya (a sweet coconut-and-pandan jam) and a slab of cold butter that melts into the warm bread. The luncheon meat bun is the other cult order: a soft bun stuffed with a thick slice of pan-fried luncheon meat.
Sweets, Drinks and the Cream Horn
Complete the meal with a cup of Nanyang kopi or teh - the strong, frothy Hainanese-style coffee and tea that Chin Mee Chin is known for. The old-school Cream Horn is a must-try dessert: a light, flaky pastry horn piped with plain buttercream. If you are after something more substantial, the Peanut Butter French Toast (thick shokupan filled with sweet-salted peanut butter) was a standout when the cafe revisited its menu in 2025. Kaya and Nutella versions are also available.
Practical Details
- Venue: 23 Serangoon Central, #B2-60/61, NEX, Singapore 556083
- Nearest MRT: Serangoon (North-East Line / Circle Line, direct connection)
- Opening: Q3 2026 (exact date and hours to be confirmed)
- Website: chinmeechin.sg
- Note: Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is not halal-certified
The full menu and prices for the NEX outlet have yet to be released. For Serangoon residents who have only read about the Katong queue, this is the first chance to taste a century of Singapore bakery history without crossing the island.
