Aburi-EN (Nex) at NEX
Location: 23 Serangoon Central, #01-63/64/65 NEX, Singapore 556083
Floor L1 · NEX
Charcoal-grilled aburi wagyu and donburi rice bowls at a cosy NEX Japanese grill.
Charcoal-grilled aburi wagyu and donburi rice bowls at a cosy NEX Japanese grill.
Aburi-EN at NEX specialises in the art of "aburi" - partially seared, flame-kissed meat - bringing a distinctly Japanese charcoal-grill craft to Serangoon. The restaurant is known for its hearty donburi rice bowls crowned with quality cuts, including Japanese and Australian wagyu, alongside buta (pork) options. Each bowl is built around the smoky depth that only a traditional charcoal grill can deliver.The menu stretches beyond the classics to include charcoal-grilled seasonal catches such as Japanese seasoned thread-sail filefish, with prices ranging from an accessible level for casual weekday meals to a slightly pricier tier for a weekend treat. The setting is cosy and casual, making it a flexible pick for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner at the mall. It suits Japanese-food lovers after something more hands-on than the usual conveyor-belt fare.
On the first level of NEX, Aburi-EN is a warm, fragrant stop for anyone who loves their meat kissed by flame. Pick a donburi, watch the grill work its magic and savour every bite. It is charcoal cooking done with quiet confidence - a little taste of Japan in the neighbourhood.
Operating Hours
Overall Rating
Based on 2446 Google reviews
Negative Reviews
PS Loveuu
Poor experience at Aburi En (Nex). The chicken served was burnt and over-charred, which affected the taste and should not have been served. Service was disappointing as well. During a refill, the male waiter knocked the flask against my table twice. I accepted the first apology, but repeating the same action was careless and disrespectful. I was also asked to clear the table while I was still drinking, which felt like I was being rushed out despite the restaurant not being crowded. This was uncomfortable and below expectations. I won’t be coming back.
Positive Reviews
Mary Teo Siew Lian
The buta don set is awesome. Pork is tender. The side dishes are good balanced meal. I like the setting. It is simple but cozy
Jason Lee
As usual, the food is good and tasty. The weekday set meal is reasonably priced. The service at this branch however is not as good what I've experienced in other branch. The waiters are not proactive to refill your tea and it was also hard …
Cindy Tan
Food is good, service is good but a bit noisy. Likely due to 1 for 1 beer promotion going on..(I might be wrong). Anyway, quality buta don sear burnt with right amount of umami. The pork is thinly sliced and sided with enoki mushrooms that never go wrong. We order a side : sweet corn with butter.
megan
Delicious as expected for Japanese food. Eel rice was really tender and expected flavour. There were less condiments than …
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Photo Gallery
Aburi-EN (Nex)
Aburi-EN Restaurant
The exterior of the Aburi-EN restaurant, featuring its prominent signage and a large, illuminated pig decoration. The restaurant has a traditional Japanese aesthetic with wooden lattice screens and warm lighting. Digital menu boards are displayed outside the entrance, showcasing food items and new menu flavors.
Aburien
The exterior of a Japanese restaurant with illuminated signage that reads "ABURIEN". A digital menu board is displayed to the left of the entrance, featuring images of food and prices. A decorative pig-shaped light fixture is visible on the right side of the entrance.
Pork Chop Rice Bowl
A dark blue bowl filled with white rice, topped with sliced grilled pork chops, sauteed mushrooms, shredded cabbage, and zucchini slices. The pork chops are glazed and appear to be seasoned with a savory sauce.
Beef and Pork Bento Box
A bento box filled with rice, topped with sliced grilled pork, chunks of braised beef, mushrooms, and shredded cabbage. The pork is sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Assorted Grilled Meats and Mushrooms
A close-up shot of a bento box filled with various grilled meats and mushrooms. The meats appear to be thinly sliced and glazed, with some pieces showing char marks. Several small mushrooms are nestled among the meats, and a garnish of shredded white scallions sits in the center. The bento box is dark brown and has a textured surface. The background is a dark, textured surface.
Pork Belly Rice Bowl
A close-up shot of a rice bowl filled with thinly sliced, pan-fried pork belly. The pork is topped with sautéed mushrooms and shredded scallions, garnished with sesame seeds. The bowl has a blue and white patterned rim.
Beef and Salmon Donburi
A close-up shot of a donburi bowl filled with sliced beef, grilled salmon, shimeji mushrooms, a poached egg, and shredded scallions. The bowl is dark blue with a white rim.
Salmon and Pork Donburi with Side Salad
A close-up shot of a donburi bowl filled with rice, topped with grilled salmon, grilled pork, sauteed mushrooms, a soft-boiled egg, and shredded scallions. A side salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and dressing is visible in the background. The bowl has a blue and white patterned rim.
Fried Fish and Chicken with Sauce
Two plates of food are shown on a wooden table. The front plate contains fried chicken pieces covered in a creamy white sauce and garnished with chopped green onions, served with a side of lettuce and a lemon wedge. The back plate holds several small, golden-fried fish, a dollop of mayonnaise with a sprinkle of red seasoning, and a lemon slice.
Restaurant Interior with Pig Lantern
The interior of a restaurant with a prominent pig-shaped lantern. The restaurant features booth seating and a counter area. Signs with Japanese characters are visible above the counter. The restaurant's name,
Japanese Meal
A close-up shot of a Japanese meal. The main dish is a bowl of rice topped with grilled pork slices, mushrooms, and shredded green onions, drizzled with a savory sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds. To the side, there is a small bowl of salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and dressing, and a plate of gyoza. A black soup bowl with a lid is also visible.
Beef and Egg Rice Bowl
A close-up shot of a Japanese-style rice bowl filled with rice, tender chunks of beef, carrots, and topped with a soft-boiled egg and chopped green onions. The bowl has a decorative blue and white pattern around the rim. Chopsticks and a spoon are visible in the background, along with other tableware.
Pork Donburi with Mushrooms
A close-up shot of a donburi bowl filled with thinly sliced pork and mushrooms, topped with shredded scallions and sesame seeds. The bowl is placed on a black tray, with a black lidded bowl and a spoon visible in the background. The dish appears to be served on a wooden table.
Grilled Pork with Scallions and Mushrooms
A close-up shot of a grilled pork dish served on a dark plate. The pork is thinly sliced and appears to be glazed with a savory sauce, with visible grill marks. It is topped with a mound of finely shredded scallions and a small portion of cooked mushrooms. The dish is presented on a wooden table.
Pork and Mushroom Rice Bowl
A close-up shot of a rice bowl filled with thinly sliced pork and mushrooms, coated in a dark, glossy sauce. The dish is garnished with finely chopped green onions and sprinkled with sesame seeds. The bowl has a decorative pattern around its rim.
Salmon Donburi
A close-up shot of a salmon donburi dish in a dark blue bowl. The dish features a piece of grilled salmon topped with a creamy sauce, served over rice. Accompanying the salmon are sauteed mushrooms and a soft-boiled egg with a visible yolk. Thinly sliced green onions are placed in the center.
Japanese Rice Bowls
Two Japanese rice bowls are served on black trays with side dishes. The top bowl contains rice topped with meat, vegetables, and a poached egg. The bottom bowl contains rice topped with grilled meat and scallions. Both meals include a small salad, a side of seaweed, and a small dessert cup with a dark sauce.
Fried Chicken Bowl
A close-up shot of a bowl of fried chicken, topped with a creamy pink sauce and garnished with chopped green onions. The bowl also contains lettuce and a slice of lemon. In the background, chopsticks rest on a black plate next to a hard-boiled egg. The setting appears to be a restaurant table.
Beef and Vegetable Rice Bowl
A close-up shot of a rice bowl filled with white rice, topped with chunks of braised beef, root vegetables like carrots and daikon radish, and a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk. The dish is garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. The bowl is dark blue and sits on a wooden table. A pair of chopsticks rests on a small black plate with a white napkin in the background.
Pan-fried dumplings
A close-up shot of pan-fried dumplings served on a black textured plate with a small dish of dipping sauce. The dumplings are golden brown on the bottom and lighter on top, with visible filling.
Japanese Meal
A top-down view of a Japanese meal set on a wooden table. The meal includes a bowl of rice topped with grilled salmon, a soft-boiled egg, and shredded vegetables. Accompanying dishes include a small salad with dressing, a bowl of miso soup, and a dish of chilled tofu with shredded scallions. Two sets of chopsticks and spoons are laid out, along with two small bowls and two cups of green tea.
Grilled Chicken Bowl with Salad and Mushrooms
A close-up of a blue ceramic bowl containing sliced grilled chicken with glossy glaze, fresh lettuce leaves, shredded cabbage, green sprouts, and enoki mushrooms on top.
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