When we were kids, it wasn’t easy for our parents to watch us grow up and transition into independent adults. Now watching our parents grow older is never easy too, especially when memory begins to fade. Over the past few years, particularly since the COVID period, I started noticing small changes in my mum as time goes by. At first, it was forgetfulness. Then it began to hit hard with repetition, confusion, and moments that felt unfamiliar. Brought them out to the mall for a walk. What makes it harder is that my dad is her primary caregiver, managing almost everything at home while the rest of us live separately. Like many families, we’re learning as we go, figuring out how to support both of them in ways that are practical, sustainable, and compassionate. Please don't pretend you haven't been frustrated at all during this process. We all know how hard it's been. The more you care, the more it gets into you. So, are you really okay? If you’re in a similar situation, here a...
An Evening to Remember: Our Family Reunion at Rasa Istimewa Waterfront
Welcome to Woodlands Waterfront Park
For us, it was a change from our usual reunion dinner tradition of either a home-cooked meal or a mini buffet catered at home. This year, we decided to dine out for the first time at Rasa Istimewa Waterfront, a Halal restaurant serving a variety of Zi Char-style dishes. The experience was made even better by the stunning view of the Woodlands Causeway leading to Johor Bahru, with the upcoming RTS railway set to open by the end of 2026. Excited for the speedy ride and custom clearance for a JB day trip in 2027.
Though we got stuck in traffic for a bit on our way from the West to the North, I didn’t mind too much. After all, everyone’s in a rush to cross the Causeway and be with their families for the Lunar New Year.
That RTS that links us with our neighbour, Malaysia
Hello neighbour
The restaurant is located on the bridge, and while waiting for my brother and his wife to arrive, we took a stroll along the stretch. Since it was my parents' first time visiting this place, we made sure to capture the moment through photos, leaving their mark here. The bright sunlight made the pictures look almost surreal. Everything seemed so vibrant and beautiful.
The only restaurant at Woodlands Waterfront Park
And that's Rasa Istimewa Waterfront
Believe me, it is dining with a view experience
At first, I was considering their Chinese New Year Set Menu, but my brother suggested ordering à la carte instead, as it might be cheaper. Turns out, he was right—it was actually more affordable before taxes, with 6 dishes, 6 plates of rice, and 6 drinks for SGD178++. I wanted to share this because sometimes set menus aren't as cost-effective as we might think. We also skipped the Yusheng toss, since we’re a small-eating family and definitely wouldn’t have finished it.
THE DISHES
Calamari
I was really looking forward to the calamari, but instead of the crispy batter I was expecting, it turned out soggy. Despite looking puffy and crispy in the photos, I couldn’t get the crunch. My husband suggested that the oil temperature might have been off. He thought the calamari hadn’t been fried long enough, which caused the batter to lose its crispiness.
Hotplate Tofu
Sambal Kang Kong
Both dishes above were too bland for my husband. The hotplate tofu was fine for me, though, but the Sambal Kang Kong didn’t have enough spice to really boost my appetite. However, it will be perfect for my mum who can't take too spicy food.
Cereal Prawns
The Cereal Prawns were delicious, especially with the savory cereal generously sprinkled over them. My dad and I couldn’t resist pouring some of it over our rice to fully enjoy the dish. It was a great way to savor every bite.
Yam Ring
This Yam Ring earned praise from both my dad and husband for its fragrant aroma and crispiness. I also found the ingredients inside quite tasty.
Steamed Grouper
Lastly, the steaming hot Grouper which I usually had at wedding banquets. It really looks promising, serving hot but wasn't the freshest according to my food critic husband.
According to my sister-in-law, their specialties are Satay and Otah. My husband also mentioned noticing many others ordering Assam dishes, which smelled really good. He wasn't sure if it was fish or prawns, though, since the plates had already been cleared.
Of course every food business has its good and bad. For Rasa Istimewa, the downside, however, was the high noise level when the restaurant was packed during our visit. I’m not sure about quieter days, but my sister-in-law mentioned that it’s usually pretty full. Also, if you're looking to use your CDC vouchers, this place accepts them.
Catching the Sunset at the Causeway
We were lucky to catch the last bits of the sunset, ending our day on a high note after dinner. Now, it’s time for some last-minute cleaning, tossing out unwanted items, and decorating the house before welcoming the Year of the Horse on February 17, 2026.
We heard & saw a Collared Kingfisher
Oh by the way, the restaurant also has two other outlets located in the East and West of Singapore, so be sure to visit their website for more details. Lastly, wishing everyone a wonderful holiday and a Happy Lunar New Year!
Incubating the video for our dinner. Check out this spot again or subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more interesting videos. Cheers!
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All expenses were personally covered by the writer. The opinions expressed are entirely her own, based on personal experience and preferences, and do not represent the views of any other individual or organization.
