Updated

Love falafel? Try these 6 dishes next

If you love falafel, order banh mi next (68/100 flavor match), then tonkatsu and chicken parmesan. Falafel is herby, crunchy and deeply savory, and these dishes share that profile.

Banh mi: herby and crunchy, like falafel.

Explore Palytt on iPhoneMatch up to 3 dishes

Android is coming. Get Android updates.

Flavor profile

Rich
3 out of 5
Savory
4 out of 5
Spicy
1 out of 5
Tangy
2 out of 5
Sweet
0 out of 5
Fresh
5 out of 5
Smoky
0 out of 5
Crunch
5 out of 5

Middle Eastern · fried dish

6 dishes to try if you love falafel

  1. Banh miHerby and crunchy, like falafel.Vietnamese · handheld
  2. TonkatsuRich and crunchy fried dish, like falafel, but less herby and sweeter.Japanese · fried dish
  3. Chicken parmesanRich and crunchy fried dish, like falafel, but less herby and sweeter.Italian American · fried dish
  4. Poke bowlHerby, like falafel, but softer and sweeter.Hawaiian · raw dish
  5. PhoHerby, like falafel, but softer.Vietnamese · noodle soup
  6. BibimbapHerby and crunchy, like falafel, but spicier and sweeter.Korean · rice dish

Scores on this page compare editorial flavor profiles between dishes and are the same for everyone. They are not personal app match scores or ratings of a restaurant’s preparation. Recipes and menus vary. How these flavor scores work.

Falafel vs its closest matches

  • Falafel vs banh mi

    68/100 flavor match

    Banh mi is lighter (2 vs 3), spicier (2 vs 1), tangier (3 vs 2) and sweeter (1 vs 0) than falafel, and differs on 2 more traits. The two rate the same on savoriness and freshness.

  • Falafel vs tonkatsu

    64/100 flavor match

    Tonkatsu is less herby (1 vs 5), sweeter (2 vs 0), richer (4 vs 3) and milder (0 vs 1) than falafel. The two rate the same on savoriness, tang, smoke and crunch.

  • Falafel vs chicken parmesan

    59/100 flavor match

    Chicken parmesan is less herby (1 vs 5), richer (5 vs 3), sweeter (2 vs 0) and softer (3 vs 5) than falafel, and differs on 2 more traits. The two rate the same on savoriness and smoke.

Numbers are Palytt's editorial 0 to 5 trait ratings, written as the match first and the dish you love second.

How to order falafel

What it is

Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty of ground chickpeas or fava beans with parsley, cilantro, garlic and cumin, served in pita or on a plate with tahini.

Ordering tip

Good falafel is crisp outside and bright green inside. Ask whether it is fried to order.

Find your next favorite

Greek

Hawaiian

Indonesian

Italian American

Malaysian

Middle Eastern

Nepali

Peruvian

Vietnamese

Related reading

Good to know

What dishes are similar to falafel?

If you like falafel, try banh mi, tonkatsu and chicken parmesan. Banh mi is the closest flavor match (68/100): herby and crunchy, like falafel.

What does falafel taste like?

Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty of ground chickpeas or fava beans with parsley, cilantro, garlic and cumin, served in pita or on a plate with tahini. Its strongest traits: herby, crunchy, deeply savory.

What should I order if I want something like falafel but different?

Try tonkatsu: rich and crunchy fried dish, like falafel, but less herby and sweeter. It scores 64/100 against falafel on flavor.

How is falafel different from banh mi?

Banh mi is lighter (2 vs 3), spicier (2 vs 1), tangier (3 vs 2) and sweeter (1 vs 0) than falafel, and differs on 2 more traits. The two rate the same on savoriness and freshness. Ratings are 0 to 5, written as banh mi vs falafel. Overall it scores 68/100 against falafel on flavor.

How are these food matches scored?

Each dish has a flavor profile rated 0 to 5 on richness, savoriness, heat, tang, sweetness, freshness, smoke and crunch. The match score compares two profiles and gives a small boost to dishes eaten the same way, like two noodle soups. In the Palytt app, your match score uses your own taste instead.

Find your next restaurant dish.

Explore Palytt on iPhone

Free on iPhone and iPad

Android is coming. Get Android updates.