Taking a trip through Leicester Market at lunchtime, there’s plenty to tempt the tastebuds – none more so than Just Falafel.
Famed throughout the centre of Leicester, they have brought a taste of Middle Eastern culture with them, with their humble shop going from strength to strength and their delicious falafels continuing to reach even more willing customers.
Having begun trading in 2016, originally just outside of the Food Hall, they have now moved to a special café unit, allowing yet more people to give it a go and Othmane Ghautom, who spends most days preparing fresh falafels, suggests it is great to see.
He said: “We’ve been here for three years now. A wide nationality of people visit and that is great; English people, Arabic, it is fantastic.
“We started in a different unit and moved over here so we can serve more people.”
For a few, falafels can be an entirely new concept. Made up of ground-up fava beans, chickpeas, chia seeds, onions and garlic, as well as a list of fresh herbs and spices, they are then fried until golden-brown.
Naturally gluten-free and full of protein, falafels provide a great meat-free alternative and can be prepared in just minutes, a huge advantage if you’re passing through the market in a hurry.
Othmane said: “They are vegan so a lot of people enjoy them. We always make them fresh, too.”
Another huge positive of falafels is their versatility. They can be served on their own and enjoyed with hummus, whilst they are also perfectly accompanied by fries and salad. However, what sets Just Falafel apart are their falafel wraps. that are sure to satisfy whether you’re popping in for lunch or dinner.
Their comprehensive list does not end there, though. They also serve a wide range of lamb and chicken wraps that can be washed down with some of the freshest juices you’re likely to find in the city centre.
If you’re tempted to give falafel a try or alternatively want to return for even more, make sure you go and see Othmane and his colleagues at Just Falafel.
They are open Monday through to Saturday between 9:30am-6pm.