Ihsan’s Falafel

Just like my dad use to make! This is how it’s suppose to taste. Fah lah fell, not fi law fill

This falafel IS the best I’ve ever had. And my husband, who hasn’t a desirable one until now, has me bring him home his few day worth every Saturday from the Farmer’s Mkt. I’ll add their attention to freshness and flavor will leave you wanting more… warning!

A layered experience of food and friendliness rooted in joyful eating and heritage. Reminiscent of the colloquial, humble charm one encounters in street markets overseas. The owner infuses the taste of his native Sudan with learned culinary arts into the presentation as a gracious host.
Like an oasis, a worker standing afar from the stand invites you to a mini falafel sample. As the main item, the falafel can be arranged in diverse ways — as stand alone pieces, in a pita, a mixed salad. The greens contain arugula for that seldom bitter taste, and the pickled radish is a refreshing compliment to the fried falafel. You can also get a wrap in steamed collard green — a seldom treat in outdoor street food.
The falafel itself is crafted with care and fried in the moment — sometimes by the owner himself. Upon biting, the fried exterior strikes that crunchy, moist balance. The inside is a warm, compacted texture of ingredients bursting with aroma. As for the sauces, they are a treat. The tahini, the near eastern staple, is smooth, moderately pungent, and a perfect viscosity. Take advantage, though, of the novel peanut sauce, a recipe from Sudan, a distinctive taste in midst of the collective Mediterranean options in L.A. Both sauces can be used as dips for other things, too.
A place to eat is also a memorable intersection of warmth and spirit, not just of food. You can tell there is a deeper sense of meaning and a positive outlook on life at the origin of Ihsan’s business. The workers are fueled by this outlook behind the scenes and when you order.

Love the falafels here. It’s got a nice crunch and it’s so flavorful. The spices and whatever goes in that thing is so good, I wish I could eat dozens and doZens of it all day long. Thanks for frying up some bomb falafels. You make it look easy when it’s not.

You’ll find a line of devotees in front of Ihsan’s Falafel stand at the Mar Vista Farmer’s Market, & it’s no wonder. Amin the owner, has a smile that will melt your heart & he has the most generous nature. Be sure to meet the man, being in his spiritual presence is a treat.
His friendly employees serve up 100% organic, vegan, gluten-​free meals that are incredibly fresh, tasty & highly addictive. Never have I experienced falafel of this caliber, & I’ve had my fair share of them in my life. His delectable, golden balls of flavorful goodness are served on a bed of baby greens or arugula, with shredded carrots & a bit of picked beets. You also have an option of having the falafel+ in either a huge, steamed collard leaf or for a more filling meal, a wheat wrap.
You may also choose between Amin’s yummy homemade tahini or my latest favorite, his tantalizing spicy peanut sauce. It’s heaven.

Amin’s vegan falafel is the best I’ve ever had! I don’t even like falafel but this is a complete game-​changer! They use the freshest ingredients and have the most amazing sauces.
Be sure to check out his stand at the playa vista farmers market on Saturdays!

I love Amin, best smile, best food, healthy, knowledgeable and innovator of vegan cuisine! I can’t wait for his ground «beef» to hit the stores!

I stumbled on this at the playa Vista farmers market and now I’m addicted. The most delicious falafel wrapped in collard greens with pickled radishes and peanut sauce. So filling and so healthy. Imagine my complete and utter surprise and satisfaction when I found them at the Marivista farmers market. look for the owner giving out samples.

I loved the falafel at this place. One of the very few places in LA that make fresh falafel. take it with the spicy peanut dip

Best falafel ever. Clean, not greasy, not too stinky in that garlicky way that most places default to. I’ve been to israel countless times and think this is the best I have ever had. I usually feel sick after falafel but not with ihsan’s.

Had this at Bhakti Fest– Delicious! And the owner is a good guy. I know where I’ll be having lunch when in LA!

This review is only for the Playa Vista Farmers Market location.
I stopped by the Playa Vista Farmers Market Saturday, just before it closed. Was just there for veggies, not prepared food. As I was walking by this stand, a young woman was offering samples, said they were freshly made, so I tried one. Absolutely stunned at how good it was! the spicy peanut sauce was good, I prefer tahini. It has been hard to find really good falafel here in LA, so I got a small order to take with me. The falafel was crispy, not at all greasy, the presentation was good, the cooking area was spotless. Will be buying more next time I am there.
Have heard that different people are working at the Mar Vista Sunday market, because there is a booth at Santa Monica market at the same time; have not been to either of those locations, only Playa Vista, so don’t know if the quality is the same no matter who is cooking

Good stuff. I dig that it’s all organic. If the falafel are just made, they’re crispy and wonderful, so make sure you for that happy and you’ll be happy. I appreciate that everything’s made by hand, and dug both the tahini and peanut sauce.

Ihsan’s Falafel at the Miracle Mile farmers market is the best you are gonna get in Southern CA. Their falafel is so fresh, homemade and prepared properly (no rancid cooking oils like soy or canola, beans have been soaked overnight and properly fermented veggies for that extra crunch). Their collard wraps are the BEST! I can’t eat gluten and so that fact that they offer this option is awesome and its way more nutritious. The flavors are wonderful and the sesame tahini or spicy peanut sauce go beautifully with it. I drive all the way from Azusa to go get this stuff. I haven’t found anything that matches the quality of his falafels besides Liba Falafel food truck in North Berkeley, CA which is a participating vendor in Off the Grid.
You GOTTA check this out!

I’ve eaten a lot of falafel in my day, from Chicago to New York to Jerusalem. Ihsan’s Falafel is by far the best I’ve ever had. Why?
Ihsan’s Falafel is fresh, homemade and just delicious. They put special care into their food, so don’t come expecting a quick, greasy, cheap snack (which is unfortunately what falafel has become in too many parts of the US).
Their falafel wraps cost $ 11, which is expensive, but it’s a full and wonderful meal.
You can taste the herbs and seasonings they use. I also love that they give a whole wheat wrap, along with fresh greens, to create a filling, but healthy, meal.
Best of all, Ihsan’s makes Sudanese falafel (I’ve never seen Sudanese falafel anywhere else), which means you get a special spicy peanut sauce instead of reliable (but boring) tahini. Get the spicy peanut sauce without hesitation.
Ihsan’s makes the best falafel in LA, if not the US. Go to one of the farmer’s markets where they set up and try it for yourself; you won’t be disappointed.

I’ve reviewed before, but it bears repeating — I am absolutely a falafel fan, but I have NEVER had falafel as delicious as Ihsan’s. Not only are they fabulous, but made in healthy ways that others are not — Vegan. So, you can eat with no guilt. I can’t get enough of them.
And Amin and his employees — SUCH nice people! He always makes me feel like a rock star when I visit his booth.
If only he had a storefront on every street corner. :)
Just talking about them makes my mouth water for one right now. Try Ihsan’s Falafel. They are by far the best.

Had this the last time we came to the Santa Monica Farmers Market and couldn’t stop thinking about it! I now compare every falafel plate I try to this and nothing compares. The falafels are light and crispy without being oily and the peanut and tahini sauces are great. Today we tried the collard green wrap with peanut sauce and it was so freaking delicious! This is a must have if you come to the farmers market! They give out free samples too!

i tried the Flafel Wrap, and i got hooked! it is a healthy choice, and very delicious on the top! I get it from century city farmers market every thursday. I recommend you give it a try, and see if you like it. they always have some free samples of the falafel.
and the service was good too. The owner (Amin) seems to be a great guy, who cares about the quality of the food he’s offering.

Best falafels I’ve ever had! Amin, the owner, is so conscientious about his ingredients and imparts so much flavor into his food. Everything is absolutely fresh and is of the best quality! I have never been a falafel person but now I haaave to have theirs every week at the farmers’ market! They are just simply well made, very flavorful, and portions are generous! I love everything on the menu but the collard green wrap is my favorite, I feel so energized after having one! Filled with carrots, pickled beets, micro greens… simply amazing!!!

I stumbled upon this stand walking through the Farmer’s Market at USC. How lucky was I! The falafels were fresh, flavorful, and not over-​greasy. I also liked the spicy peanut sauce that came with the falafels. On that day, I didn’t have enough money but the cashier guy gave me a deal on some extra falafels! Thank you!