Serangoon comes alive after the working day. This route starts when the temple on Bartley Road reopens for the afternoon, climbs to a rooftop library for the view and ends in Serangoon Gardens, where the area goes to eat.
Chomp Chomp opens only in the evening, so there's no point arriving early. Spend the hours before it at the temple and the library, both of which stay open into the evening. Serangoon Gardens is a private estate built in the 1950s, and its red zinc roofs earned it the nickname Ang Sar Lee, Hokkien for red zinc.
Chomp Chomp is a taxi ride from the stations, so plan the last leg by car.
Where to start
Bartley MRT (CC12), Exit B
When to go
Afternoon, start by 4pm
Stop by stop
We'd do these in order, and each linked stop has its price and directions.
4:00 PM
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Mission at 179 Bartley Road reopens at 4pm and stays open to 8.30pm. Take Exit B at Bartley MRT, which has a lift to street level. It's a working temple, so keep your voice low; evening arati and bhajans begin at 7pm.
5:15 PM
Serangoon Library at nex
Serangoon Library was the first public library in Singapore on a rooftop, at the top of nex beside Serangoon MRT. It's open 11am to 9pm daily and closed on public holidays. The neighbourhood looks best from up there as the light goes.
6:30 PM
Stingray at Chomp Chomp
Chomp Chomp Food Centre at 20 Kensington Park Road opened in 1972 and grills stingray and satay in the open air. It opens only in the evening. Pick a stall by its queue and share plates.
8:00 PM
A late dish at RK
RK Eating House at 1 Kensington Park Road is an Indian Muslim restaurant that's usually open late and busy on Friday nights. Walk in and pay per dish. Hours change, so check the shop's page before a special trip.
Save for another day
- Joji's Diner on Upper Serangoon Road, open round the clock, for waffles after midnight
- Darma Muneeswaran Temple in Serangoon North, with pooja at 6.30pm, on another evening
Before you go
Book ahead where you need to, and turn up for the rest.
Chomp Chomp Food CentreSerangoon · FreeGoRK Eating HouseSerangoon Gardens · FreeGoJoji's DinerSerangoon · FreeGoSerangoon at dusk questions
What time does Ramakrishna Mission reopen in the afternoon?
At 4pm. The temple is open 6am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 8.30pm, with Mangalarati at 6am, Nitya Puja at 9am and evening arati and bhajans at 7pm. It's a working temple, and Exit B at Bartley MRT has a lift to street level.
Is Serangoon Library open on public holidays?
No, it's closed on public holidays, and it closes at 5pm on the eves of Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. On other days it's open 11am to 9pm, so the rooftop view works as an evening stop.
Where can I eat late near Serangoon Gardens?
Joji's Diner at 534 Upper Serangoon Road is open 24 hours every day, with waffles, pancakes and burgers, and seats are given on arrival. RK Eating House on Kensington Park Road is usually open late too, and you pay per dish.
Stories from along the way
Longer reads on the places you'll pass through.
