Researching on the must-eats in Paris led me to these 2 rival falafel restaurants in the district of Le Marais: L’As du Fallafel and Chez H’anna. For one, they apparently make extremely delicious falafels. More importantly they’re filling and easy on the pocket. At an affordable €5 , these falafel wraps make a delicious street food.
Imagine my excitement when I found out that our apartment is situated right in the middle of that very district! I made it a must to have lunch there on our very first day.
L’As du Fallafel
David Lebovitz called it a favourite quick-bite on the streets of Paris; and rightly so if the queue is any indication of its popularity. En route we saw many students munching on their falafel wraps, and that hiked up our anticipation for this amazing falafel.
Basic falafel wrap (€4 for takeaway). Left is the non-spicy one, where the right has a dash of piquante sauce.
Using that fork provided, dig into warm pita bread stuffed with marinated crunchy cabbage, silky grilled aubergines, cold sesame hummus, and that burning crisp-fried balls of chick-pea falafels. I love that wonderful contrast between the cold vegetables and hummus, against the falafels. Together with the spicy piquante sauce, it was absolutely heavenly. I had no trouble demolishing one on my own!
I was happily gobbling up my lovely falafel wrap, when I made a turn along the street and found Chez H’anna. Now know that no matter how I might look like one, I am certainly not some glutton with a bottomless tummy. I was pretty filled by then, but I simply couldn’t bear the thought of giving it a miss. You mean I’ll have to walk across these streets again just to get back here to try out Chez H’anna? Uh-uh, ne pas possible. My itinerary is way too packed to make a revisit possible. That I am lazy is not a contributing factor to my final decision
Chez H’anna
Rated half a star lower than L’As du Fallafel on Trip Advisor, Chez H’anna has been receiving mixed reviews. Time Out called it a favourite spot frequented by locals. So I wondered if the former was merely some teenage-hangout-touristy place, while the latter is the real treasure?
Vegetarian falafel a.k.a. basic falafel wrap (€5.50 for takeaway)
The sauces here distinguished it from L’As du Fallafel because it was tastier. The piquante sauce was honestly spicy and gave the wrap a wonderful kick. It was a tad too salty though. Chez H’anna’s hummus was more fragrant and memorable, as compared to the former. Yet they have a really hard pita pocket that ruined the whole dish. I ended up literally eating the fillings on their own, then throwing the wrap away.
The verdict? None really. Both are good in different ways.
Maybe it’s time for them to collaborate instead of being rivals.
Chez H’anna
54 Rue des Rosiers
75004 Paris, France
Opened from 1100-0000, closed on Mondays
L’As du Fallafel
34 Rue des Rosiers
75004 Paris, France
Opens from 1200-0000, closed on Sundays
A Teeny Spoon of Sugar 