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| 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.
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| That RTS that links us with our neighbour, Malaysia |
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| 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 DISHES
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| 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.
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| Hotplate Tofu |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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!
Rasa Istimewa @ Waterfront6A Admiralty Road West
Singapore 757445
(Located @ Woodlands Waterfront Park)
Nearest MRT: Woodlands
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All expenses were paid for by the writer and her family. All opinions and reviews are based on her personal preferences and taste, and do not reflect the views of others.
