Ufaa by Jereme Leung

From Apprentice to Maestro: Jereme Leung’s Culinary Journey

To understand Ufaa is to know the visionary behind it – Chef Jereme Leung. A Singaporean native with humble Hong Kong roots, Leung began his culinary path at 13 as a kitchen apprentice in vibrant Cantonese kitchens. There, he mastered the four pillars of Chinese cooking: delicate dim sum, smoky roasts, fiery wok work, and meticulous knife skills. These early lessons forged a deep respect for tradition that still anchors his craft.

By his twenties, Leung was leading fine-dining kitchens, and in 2002, he opened his first restaurant in Shanghai. Over the next decade, he built a portfolio of acclaimed dining concepts across Asia. Despite global success, Leung remains grounded in a simple belief: Chinese cuisine must evolve without losing its soul. “Innovation shouldn’t replace tradition,” he says. At Ufaa, this philosophy shines—where heritage meets bold creativity.

A Teahouse in Paradise: Ambiance & Inspiration

Step into Ufaa and you’re transported—not to a formal dining hall, but to a vibrant, living teahouse. Laughter rings from a private room where friends play mahjong, while nearby, a family breaks into karaoke—urban China reimagined on a remote atoll. Every corner is crafted for connection and joy.

As night falls, the experience drifts to the beach or treehouse, where you dine barefoot beneath the stars. A bubbling “reunion” hot pot simmers with reef fish and greens, the ocean whispering close by. Part Chinese courtyard, part Maldivian lounge, Ufaa invites you to slow down and savor—a celebration of its namesake: happiness.

Flavors of China, Bounty of Maldives

Chef Jereme Leung’s menu at Ufaa celebrates the rich tapestry of Chinese cuisine, reimagined with island ingredients. Each dish tells a regional story—from the bold broths of Chongqing to the delicate herbs of Hangzhou—while embracing the Maldives’ natural bounty. Leung sources local lobster, Sri Lankan crab, tropical fruits, and herbs grown on the resort’s garden island, creating what he calls “a perfect marriage of traditional and contemporary Chinese cuisine.”

Highlights include handmade Cantonese dim sum, from translucent shrimp dumplings to fluffy pork buns. Hand-pulled noodles shine in beefy Lanzhou soup or stir-fried with seafood and Maldivian heat. For dinner, the show-stopper is Imperial Peking Duck, roasted Beijing-style and carved tableside. Seafood takes center stage with stir-fried lobster in ginger and spring onion or chili crab made with Sri Lankan mud crab. Don’t miss the beachfront hot pot, a communal experience under the stars. Whether it’s a casual bite or lavish feast, every dish reflects Leung’s signature: tradition with elegance, rooted in flavor and soul.

In a land famed for luxury and beauty, Ufaa by Jereme Leung shines as the Maldives’ first true Chinese restaurant—and a global dining destination. But its greatest rewards aren’t accolades—they’re moments: a guest’s wonder at tasting handcrafted dim sum on a distant atoll, a Chinese traveler comforted by familiar flavors with a Maldivian twist, or friends toasting across cultures, joyfully connected by food.

Here, fine dining becomes a soulful experience. China’s rich culinary heritage meets the Maldives’ serene spirit, blending the exotic with the nostalgic. Every bite evokes memory, emotion, and belonging—whether it’s the joy of discovery or the warmth of home. As you step into the tropical night, you carry more than just flavor—you carry the essence of tradition, innovation, and true ufaa—happiness. This is Chinese fine dining at its most inspired, a journey worth returning to again and again.

An Unforgettable Culinary Journey

In a land famed for luxury and beauty, Ufaa by Jereme Leung shines as the Maldives’ first true Chinese restaurant—and a global dining destination. But its greatest rewards aren’t accolades—they’re moments: a guest’s wonder at tasting handcrafted dim sum on a distant atoll, a Chinese traveler comforted by familiar flavors with a Maldivian twist, or friends toasting across cultures, joyfully connected by food.

Here, fine dining becomes a soulful experience. China’s rich culinary heritage meets the Maldives’ serene spirit, blending the exotic with the nostalgic. Every bite evokes memory, emotion, and belonging—whether it’s the joy of discovery or the warmth of home. As you step into the tropical night, you carry more than just flavor—you carry the essence of tradition, innovation, and true ufaa—happiness. This is Chinese fine dining at its most inspired, a journey worth returning to again and again.