The Hainan Story Coffee House (Nex) at NEX
Location: 23 Serangoon Central, #02 - 17 NEX, Singapore 556083
Floor L2 · NEX
A heritage Hainanese coffee house at NEX with comfort classics and exclusive dishes like pig trotter assam curry noodles.
A heritage Hainanese coffee house at NEX with comfort classics and exclusive dishes like pig trotter assam curry noodles.
The Hainan Story Coffee House at NEX is the brand''s first coffee-house concept, set in unit #02-17 and open daily from 8am to 10pm. It builds on The Hainan Story''s heritage-Hainanese identity with a menu of comfort classics alongside exclusive dishes created for the format, including pig trotter assam curry noodles. Diners have praised creative plates such as a lasagna layered with chee cheong fun rice cakes - comfort food with a local twist - making it one of the more distinctive casual dining options at NEX.The coffee-house format leans into an all-day, breakfast-friendly rhythm, opening early enough for morning coffee and staying open through late dinner. It suits shoppers wanting a leisurely meal rather than a quick food-court bite, and the menu reads across Hainanese classics, noodles and fusion-leaning plates that are hard to find elsewhere in the mall.
For a Serangoon meal with a story behind it, this coffee house is an easy choice. Take a corner table, order the assam curry noodles, and settle into a slice of Hainanese-Singaporean heritage.
Operating Hours
Overall Rating
Based on 1264 Google reviews
Negative Reviews
Julius Tan
Kaya toast and tea not as good as Yakun. The curry gravy of the chee cheong fun was just not very palatable to me and the wanton and fishballs in the dish tasted below average. The rice dishes with curry are some of their better food choices in this local coffee shop.
Ang Jane
Really disappointed about this fish and chips.. the mash potato taste like milk powder mixed with water, the coleslaw is bland and quite bad. The fish was flakey and crumbs felt oily. Fries are soft and cold.. maybe the Chinese style cuisine is better? But western is a big miss.
Alicia Sim
Used to frequent this outlet when they first opened but unfortunately it wasn’t the same anymore. Waited for almost 40 minutes, only to be informed that my food of choice wasn’t available and that I had to select another item from the menu. …
Darren Tan
Restaurant with potential to do a lot better. Overall has some great food, but quality varies sometimes. …
7eleven
Ordered ice lemon tea, ice yuan yang, peanut butter waffle, stir fried glass noodle with chicken chop, peppercorn pig stomach soup. Waffle was above average, quite fragrant and some crisp. Chicken chop was flavorful. Rest of the food was …
Positive Reviews
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Photo Gallery
The Hainan Story Coffee House (Nex)
Fish Ball Soup
A close-up shot of a bowl of fish ball soup. The soup is a rich, reddish-brown color and is garnished with fresh green herbs. Visible ingredients include several large, round fish balls, pieces of white fish, and fried dumplings. The bowl is dark and textured, and the background has a speckled pattern.
Restaurant Interior with Seating and Decor
The image shows the interior of a restaurant with various seating areas. In the foreground, a brown leather booth lines a counter. On the counter, a stack of teacups and saucers are displayed, along with a large rectangular lampshade. Further back, tables with speckled tops are visible, some occupied by diners. The walls are decorated with exposed brick and a vibrant red tiled feature. Greenery hangs from the ceiling, adding to the ambiance. An 'EXIT' sign is visible in the background, suggesting the restaurant is located in a public area like a mall or airport. A promotional poster for Burger King is also visible.
Coffee cup with cartoon design
A close-up shot of a coffee cup with a cartoon illustration on it, placed on a red saucer. The cup has a handle and contains a beverage with foam on top. A small white dish with a yellow substance, possibly butter or cream, is placed on the saucer. The background is blurred, showing people and lights, suggesting an indoor setting like a cafe or restaurant. The table surface has a speckled pattern.
Waffle Sandwich
A close-up shot of a waffle sandwich on a white plate. The waffle is cut in half and filled with chocolate and cheese. The plate has a logo with three pink circles. The background is a speckled surface.
Chicken Cutlet with Fries
A plate of food featuring a breaded and fried chicken cutlet covered in a dark sauce, topped with onion rings and peas. It is served with a side of french fries, coleslaw, and baked beans. The plate has a white rim with a blue stripe. The background shows a speckled tabletop.
Chicken with Fries
A plate of food featuring chicken covered in sauce, french fries, and a small dish of dipping sauce.
Fried Pork Chop Rice
A close-up shot of a meal served on what appears to be newspaper lining. The dish features a fried pork chop cut into strips, a sunny-side-up egg with a runny yolk, steamed cabbage, and a portion of rice topped with a savory sauce. The newspaper lining has Chinese characters and English text, including "MAINANESE COCRY RICE".
Fried Chicken with Fries and Beans
A plate of fried chicken covered in a sweet and savory sauce, served with a side of french fries, baked beans, and pickled onions. The dish is presented on a white plate with a blue rim, set on a speckled table.
Chicken Chop with Fries and Sides
A plate of chicken chop served with french fries, coleslaw, and baked beans in a small black ramekin. The chicken is covered in a rich brown sauce.
Hainanese Curry Rice
A plate of Hainanese curry rice served on newspaper-style paper. The dish includes rice with curry sauce, a fried egg, fried pork ribs, and a side of vegetables. A bowl of soup is visible in the background.
Newspaper Hainanese Curry Rice
A plate of Hainanese curry rice served on a newspaper-style liner. The dish includes a fried egg with a runny yolk, a side of fried pork, and mixed vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms. The liner has Chinese and English text, including "The Hainan Story" and "Newspaper Hainanese Curry Rice, Originated in Singapore."
Waffles with Green Filling
A close-up shot of two halves of a waffle sandwich with a green filling, served on a white plate. A knife with a black handle rests on the plate. The table surface has a terrazzo-like pattern with green, white, and brown flecks.
Cup of Tea
A close-up shot of a cup of tea with a spoon in it, resting on a saucer. The cup has a cartoon design of toast with faces and text in Chinese characters. The background shows a blurred interior of a restaurant with brick walls and decorative lighting.
Beef Stew with Hash Browns
A close-up shot of a bowl of beef stew served with rice and topped with two hash browns drizzled with white sauce. The stew contains chunks of beef, carrots, and peas in a rich gravy. A cup of iced coffee is visible in the background. The table has a speckled terrazzo-like pattern.
Breakfast Plates
Two plates of breakfast food are shown. The plate on the left contains a large sausage, scrambled eggs, two hash browns, and toast. The plate on the right contains bacon, a fried egg, a piece of meat with sauce, and toast. The table has a speckled pattern.
Neon Signage in Restaurant
A close-up shot of a blue neon sign with cursive writing, likely a restaurant name, is displayed prominently against a textured wall and mirrored surface. The sign reads "Say Hi Harian Kopi Hai". The interior of the establishment is visible in the reflection, showing patrons seated at tables and a brick wall adorned with decorative elements. Green lighting fixtures hang from the ceiling, and a ceiling fan is visible in the background.
Restaurant Interior
The image shows the interior of a restaurant with green tiled floors and brick walls. There are several tables and chairs, a bar area with stools, and hanging pendant lights. A neon sign is visible in the background. A staff member wearing a mask and apron is standing near a "Tray Return" sign. Stacks of red cups are visible on the left side of the image.
Laksa
A close-up shot of a bowl of laksa, a spicy noodle soup. The dish features noodles in a creamy, orange broth, topped with a halved hard-boiled egg, fish cakes, fried tofu puffs, and a dollop of chili paste.
Breakfast Set
A close-up shot of a breakfast set on a table. In the foreground, there is a white plate with two pieces of toast with a spread, and a red bowl with two soft-boiled eggs drizzled with soy sauce and pepper. A dark beverage in a plastic cup with a straw is also visible. In the background, blurred figures of people are seated at tables.
Curry Noodles with Fried Wontons and Fish Balls
A close-up overhead shot of a bowl of curry noodles. The bowl contains a rich, orange curry broth filled with flat white noodles, several fried wontons, and round fish balls. The bowl is placed on a speckled countertop with a terrazzo pattern.
Breakfast Set
A black tray holds a breakfast set. In a red bowl are two soft-boiled eggs with runny yolks. On a white plate are two halves of a pandan waffle sandwich, cut diagonally. To the right, a dark cup with a straw contains a frothy, iced beverage. A receipt is partially visible at the bottom right.
Laksa and Drink
A bowl of laksa with noodles, fish cakes, a hard-boiled egg, fried dough fritters, and chili paste, served with a cup of brown liquid, possibly coffee or tea. The food is presented on a speckled countertop.
Coffee House Interior
The interior of a coffee house with a prominent wall decorated with stacked red coffee cups. The coffee house has a modern yet traditional aesthetic, with wooden accents and green tiling. Several patrons are seated at tables, enjoying their meals and drinks. A promotional poster is displayed on an easel near the entrance, and a digital screen above the counter shows a scenic landscape.
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