A Ceviche Obsession: Unraveling the Magic of Selva's Yellowfin Tuna Ceviche

Tuesday May 30, 2023

On that fateful day, November 9th, 2023, my love affair with ceviche began at a remarkable restaurant called Selva. Located in Toronto, Selva is a true gem—an immersive, multi-sensory art/restaurant/bar that stole my heart. I decided to take my boyfriend, who is now my soon-to-be husband, to Selva to celebrate his birthday. Little did I know that this experience would ignite an obsession with their extraordinary yellowfin tuna ceviche. If you've never been to Selva, I wholeheartedly recommend it if you're up for a wild ambiance. The interior is a captivating jungle glow-in-the-dark theme, accompanied by fun and upbeat music. If you ever loved the Rainforest Cafe as a kid, Selva will feel like a second home. The Ceviche Revelation: Since that memorable evening, I've been on a mission to recreate Selva's yellowfin tuna ceviche. I've made numerous trips back to the restaurant, attempting to mentally and individually note down each ingredient. While I have a general idea, there's a specific taste that eludes me. Could it be the sauce? My fiancé believes it's simply lemon and vinegar, but there's something more to it. Cracking the Code: To begin my ceviche craze journey, I'll share what I believe to be the accurate list of ingredients for Selva's yellowfin tuna ceviche: Carrots Grilled corn Passion fruit Yellowfin tuna Mint Pickled onions Chile peppers However, my curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to explore Selva's website for more insights. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a few ingredients that I had missed: Sweet potato Red celery Serrano chili Coriander Lime Magrud lime Fish roe Mint* Finger mint* Edible flowers Selva's yellowfin tuna ceviche is traditionally served with tortilla chips. A Dive into the World of Mint: One ingredient that caught my attention was mint—specifically, finger mint. Coming from a household that consumes mint tea daily, I found it intriguing to discover the existence of different mint cultivars. This revelation leads me to my next topic: exploring the various types of mint and identifying which one Selva uses in their ceviche. Perhaps, with a bit of luck, I can even grow it in my backyard and hope to replicate their outstanding recipe. Stay tuned for progress and future updates: As I embark on this culinary adventure to recreate Selva's yellowfin tuna ceviche, I promise to keep you informed of my progress. Stay tuned for exciting updates, as I delve into the world of mint and endeavor to unlock the secrets behind Selva's exceptional dish. Together, we'll uncover the magic and savor every step of this ceviche obsession.