KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Perfect as a snack, the humble curry puff can usually be found at roadside stalls that sell fried items. These golden crispy fried snacks are usually filled with potato curry, chicken and a piece of hard boiled egg. The crescent shaped curry puff is said to have evolved from the Portuguese empanadas.
There are two types of pastry that envelop the curry filling which is cooked ahead. One is a plainer lighter version that is either hand shaped or pressed through a mould.
Taking more time, the spiral version yields a crunchier bite, as each layer falls into delicate flakes. The multiple layers are achieved by wrapping two types of dough (oil and water) which is flattened and rolled out several times.
Once the cooked filling and hard boiled egg are wrapped with the dough, it’s pinched together to seal the filling and the edges are pleated. It is deep fried in hot oil and the curry puff is best eaten when warm.
Yeong’s stall,
Alleyway just off Jalan Hang Lekiu, KL.
Open: 6am to 3pm (Monday to Friday)
Searching for this stall can be quite a challenge if you’re not familiar with the place. As a landmark, it’s the alley across from the Persatuan Hokkien Selangor building.
Just walk down the small street and you will see the stall almost at the end. The stall is run by an old couple who fill these deep fried snacks with a rather dry mixture of curried mashed potatoes and chunks of chicken.
Slotted on top of the filling, you will discover a half portion of hard boiled egg. One curry puff is sold for RM1.40. We also like the light golden brown pastry that envelops the filling.
Brickfields Pisang Goreng,
Stall in front of Restaurant One Sentral,
Jalan Tun Sambanthan 4, Brickfields, KL.
Open: 12pm to 5pm. Closed on Mondays.
Even though their pisang goreng or banana fritters is the crowd puller, this stall’s curry puffs (RM1.50 each) holds its own with the lovely flaky golden brown spiral pastry. It’s made by the owner’s wife who’ll lower down a basket of these snacks when the stall intercoms them from below.
Bite into a curry puff and you will find a mildly spicy but fragrant potato curry. What’s impressive is how the potatoes are neatly cut into small cubes to give you a better bite. There’s also pieces of chicken meat in the filling.
Homi Chicken Curry Puff,
Restoran Hock Seng Two,
66, Jalan SS2/66, PJ.
Open daily: 7am to 6pm.
If you’re hankering for something more substantial, look for this large crispy spiral curry puff that has been around for 23 years. The stall is run by two brothers who recreated their father’s recipe which he learnt from a Hainanese chef.
The curry puff filled with a generous amount of aromatic potato curry and chicken is available for RM2.40 each. From August 18 onwards, the stall will be operating at Restaurant WDS, No. 157, Jalan SS2/6, (Chow Yang), PJ as this coffee shop will be closing.
They are estimated to vacate the present premises around August 10. They also operate another stall at the lower ground floor of The Gardens mall that is at the walkway to Mid Valley Megamall.
Stall in front of AmBank,
3 1/2 miles, Jalan Klang Lama, KL.
Open: 3pm to 7pm. Closed on Fridays.
Operated by Uncle Ooi for more than 20 years, this makeshift stall doles out large spiral curry puffs filled with a half piece of a hard boiled egg, curry potatoes (a mix of mashed and diced) and chicken for RM1.60 each.
We like the aromatic spicy filling paired with a not too oily golden crust. A bonus is the egg gets mingled with the curried filling making it extremely delectable. Another popular item is their Chinese crullers or yau char kwai that are fried in batches. Grab one fresh from the wok and you know what’s the hype about as the crullers have a light crispy crust.
Gerai Makanan Goreng,
Stall No. 4, Jalan 21/29, Sea Park, PJ.
Open daily: 9am to 4pm.
Open since 1972, this stall has been feeding many neighbourhood families with their light filigree coating pisang goreng (banana fritters) and other crunchy fried snacks. They also serve one of the tiniest ever curry puffs for RM1 each where the spiral crust is thin and crispy. Filled with diced curry potatoes, it makes a lovely bite-sized snack.
