Selera had just opened for the day when I arrived therefore there were not much options in the food display cabinet. Since they are still in the midst of frying the fritters, I took the time to study the menu.
From there, I discovered that they had something quite unusual - lamb curry puff! I checked with the staff if it was available and luckily for me, it is!
I ordered one and at that precise moment, a couple of spring rolls came fresh off the wok. I could not resist a piping hot spring roll thus I ordered one too.
Then, I spotted the goreng pisangs (fried banana fritter) and I heard them desperately calling out to me as well...
I believe all fritters are deep fried in small quantities for freshness.
Their curry puff do bear some resemblance to OCK's in terms of shape and folding of the sides though Selera's does not come with the signature 'thumb' found in OCK's.
To be honest, my favorite kind of curry puff pastry is the makcik type that come with a lot of blisters. I find Selera and OCK's pastry more on the doughy side although the former's skin is the thinner of the two.
Taste wise, there is a very heavy buttery presence in the pastry for both and this is the issue I have.
Years back, I was having overseas training with the armed forces in Australia and you know how scary the temperature can soar during the day.
We had already moved out for exercise outfield from base camp but I had clean forgotten about having one of those single serving butter pack from our last breakfast at the cook house in my pocket.
Obviously, the butter melted and somehow, there was a tear in the foil and my trousers absorbed all that melted butter.
The thing is, I did not know about it and still wondering why is there a putrid smell following me wherever I go? I even wore that trousers for the next several days before I discovered the truth! Can you imagine how I, and the people I am working with, had to put up with the mysterious smell not knowing where it came from?
Due to this incident, I am rather adverse to the strong smell of butter. I can still eat butter but strong-smelling ones would make me retch.
Now, back to this lamb curry puff. The pastry is generously stuffed with curried potato cubes and lamb meat in thick chunks.
And best of all is that it is affordably priced at just $1.30, same price as their chicken curry puff and sardine curry puff. It would have easily sold for at least $1.50 across the road!
As for the spring roll, there is really nothing to complain about. The size is huge and filled with piping hot mang guang (shredded jicama) that is deliciously sweet. Oh, I love it!
The goreng pisang is another winner here. Biting past the crunchy batter, the banana encased within is soft and creamy - almost molten-like as its sweetness spreads in my mouth cavity. If I could describe it crudely, I would say it is like having an orgasm in my mouth!
For the price ($1.40), I am getting the whole ripened banana and not the usual halved slices where it is sold at $2 for 6 pieces elsewhere (and they are not even ripe with that tart flavor).
Trust me, one Selera's goreng pisang will never be enough. Do yourself a favor and get a few more to indulge in.
What impressed me is that the fritters here are served fresh off the wok but they are not too oily and the quality far exceeds the price I am paying for.
Selera also serve chicken rice and duck rice in the morning which I heard is rather good. Tze char is available from lunch onwards.
They are halal certified.
