I enjoyed my lunch today at UFB-Union Fashion Bar Garden at Plaza Mentari along Jalan Kuning in Taman Pelangi.
I was the guest of UFB owner Yap Chern Chee who identified himself as the Executive Chef - which of course, is a huge understatement.
Starting his career at Pokka Japan Corporation's patisserie in 1998, Yap went on to Bakerzin, and then Boga Group (a leading Indonesian F & B group which owns Bakerzin, Pepper Lunch, Ten Ten, Boga Catering etc). Anak Johor Yap was Boga Group's R & D Executive Chef before returning to his hometown in 2015 to launch Union Fashion Bar.
We met at Union Fashion Bar Garden in Taman Pelangi. There are three UFBs at the moment - Taman Pelangi, Taman Sutera and Inderapura (Kulai). Another UFB outlet is in the pipeline in Kluang. Chef Yap also has Cheese U Bistro in Kluang.
UFBs serve lunch, tea, dinner and supper. They are modelled after the comprehensive mall restaurants of Jakarta where Chef Yap spent 13 years.
As Jakarta traffic is notoriously gridlocked, locals do not mall hop. They will do all their entire day's shopping, eating, entertainment etc in one mall instead of hopping from mall to mall. So, Jakarta restaurants in malls serve lunch, tea, dinner and supper.
We warmed up over a bowl of UFB's Papachos (price RM10.90++).
Papachos are really the familiar papadum with a twist.
Dressed with sweet, tangy, savoury Thousand Island sauce and diced tomato, these crispy papachos are the best papadums I have tasted.
I shouldn't be surprised. Chef Yap was the R & D Executive Chef of Boga Group. Chef Yap put "fashion" in UFB to stress the importance he attaches to innovation and creativity in his restaurants.
When Chef Yap told me that his signature Pork Chop is made with fresh pork, I can't wait to try it 😄
The thick rib chop was simply grilled. It was lean but tender and slightly moist. It has a little savouriness from the seared surface and a bit of natural sweetness. There was no porky taste.
Mustard and Caribbean salsa sauce are provided with the dish but I prefer my pork chop neat.
We also had a spicy flavour rib pork chop. It's the same rib chop slathered with a mildly peppery sauce.
The spicy pork chop comes with thick, creamy, mild Japanese curry.
The best way to enjoy a large grilled pork rib chop 😄
At RM32.90++ for a 300 gram rib chop (original or spicy), I feel it is really good value.
Deep Fried Pork Bone Noodles (price RM18.90++).
The generic ramen style noodles and the fried pork bone were okay... but I would re-order this dish just because of the broth and sambal chili.
The milky looking broth is made by boiling pork bones. It has a nice natural porky sweetness and it's smooth body is thickened by melted collagen.
The sambal chili has chili flakes and crispy bits of fried dried shrimp. It has an addictive blend of sweet, savoury and spicy kick. I wish UFB sells this sambal chili in bottles 😄
When Chef Yap ordered this Vongole (price RM21.90++), I wasn't exactly thrilled as I was quite full already. I am a small eater (you'll be surprised 😂).
Once I tasted it, I forgot my own silent reservations.
The clams, white wine and butter combined to make a tasty savoury sweet sauce with briny undertones. I like this.
The default doneness for the pasta is soft al dente but we can inform the staff if we want it done softer or firmer.
Dessert time.
Frozen Cheese Cake Pop (RM18.90++ to RM20.90++).
The unique Frozen Cheese Cake Pop was the brainchild of Chef Yap who has his roots as a pastry chef with Pokka Corporation's patisserie back in 1998.
The cheese cake ice cream are house made and come in plain, chocolate, coffee, and spicy orange flavours. All the flavours are coated with chocolate. Toppings include cranberry, raisin, marshmallow, Oreo crumbles, corn flakes, cashew nuts and even pork bacon etc.
👉 UFB-Union Fashion Bar is a promising Johor home grown brand. Under Chef Yap's leadership we can look forward to more innovative, creative F & B concepts to come from Johor. I enjoyed the pork chops, pasta, papachos and cheese cake pops I tasted at UFB Garden today. I would visit UFB's other outlets and try out the other dishes in Union Fashion Bar's extensive menu.
Disclosure: Please note that this was an invited tasting.
Restaurant name: Union Fashion Bar Garden
Address: Plaza Mentari, 2, Jalan Kuning, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru (other UFB outlets in Taman Sutera and Inderapura in Kulai). Another outlet in Kluang soon.
GPS: 1°28'34.4"N 103°46'06.1"E | 1.476230, 103.768369
Tel: +60 14-800 9981
Hours: 11:00am to 1:00am
Non Halal
Date: 14 Oct 2017
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