L’As du Fallafel

📍Location: Paris, France

The first time I had Falafel was at this store. The taste of the first bite truly left a lasting impression on me; I couldn't believe how delicious this fried food was, and it wasn't made with classic meats, but with very unassuming chickpeas!

Falafel is a common food in the Middle East, made from fried chickpea paste shaped into small balls (vegan-friendly🍃). It can be served in dishes or in pita bread. This famous place is known for its pita bread, and they also sell regular meals, but it’s more suitable for dining in. I visited twice and opted for takeout each time, so I can’t share the dine-in experience.

There’s often a long line outside because it’s really that good! 😆 The line is divided into two sides: the left side is for takeout, while the right side is for dine-in. If you don’t want to wait too long, you can go for takeout, and they make the pita bread quite quickly. There are a few chairs across the street where you can sit and eat; if those are taken, people just stand and eat. It’s sort of like a street food experience.

The portion of the pita bread is quite large; two people sharing would still feel full. Since I was alone this time, I only ordered 10 chickpea balls for just €6, which is a great price abroad!

The outer layer of the chickpea balls is fried to a crisp, while the inside is moist and cooked just right, so it’s not dry. The texture is slightly crunchy, and the more you chew it, the more flavorful it becomes. It is topped with a white sauce that resembles yogurt sauce, and since I was told to add a bit of spice, there’s also some red hot sauce. Overall, it has a slightly tangy yogurt flavor with a touch of spiciness, and there’s no strong bean taste. I hope this description doesn’t sound strange, but it’s just really delicious; a taste you can’t find in Taiwan.

I think the impressive part about this place is that, for this type of foreign cuisine, unless you’re a local, outsiders sometimes struggle to adapt or accept the flavors. However, they manage to cater to tastes from all around the world, which is truly remarkable! If the sauce were just a bit saltier or tangier, I might not have accepted it, but they’ve managed to find a good balance, which is impressive! Ultimately, the chickpea balls are fried well enough that the other sauces are just there to add a little flair.

However, eating 10 chickpea balls by myself was really too much. Chickpeas are high in starch, and by the end, I genuinely felt like I might burst 😂 The taste is deeply etched in my mind, so I probably won’t need to visit again for a while. I’d recommend sharing with at least two people, or asking if they have takeout boxes so you don’t have to eat it all at once.

This is the best Falafel in my opinion, and I recommend it to everyone. If you’re shopping in the Marais district of France, you must visit! 👍

✨Additionally, unrelated to the food, next to this store, there’s a small shop selling second-hand clothes, with prices for clothes and bags mostly ranging from €5 to €15, which is very cheap! 😆 I suggest you make it part of your itinerary, so your trip in the Marais district will be quite rich! 🎉