I noticed that since last year, I’ve been kinda adventurous when it comes to food. Simply put, I’ve come out of my comfort zone and been accepting invitations to taste different cuisines. I actually don’t like to eat anything super spicy, it doesn’t go well with my tummy, but since most of my food trips can be customized, I’m happy to try anything! And recently, I think it’s my first time to try an Authentic Israeli Cuisine at Falafel Yo!
I wasn’t sure what a falafel was until I got to their new resto at Greenbelt 3. I was in a rush to get there and wasn’t able to do some research. I just hoped that I’d like what they’ll be serving. Well, in fact, I did enjoy every bite of my Falafel Yo minus the long green chili and onions (lol)!
So, what is Falafel made of?
Falafel plays an iconic role in Israeli cuisine and is widely considered to be the national dish of the country. It is a popular street food made with mashed chickpeas (or garbanzo beans), parsley, coriander, garlic, and other Mediterranean spices.
Watch this video on how this cutie server (lol) made my Falafel đ
The General Manager of Falafel Yo!, Guy Mann, grew up eating the Israeli treat and wants to share that experience with Filipinos. He aims to preserve the traditional recipes and methods that have been refined and passed down from generation to generation.
âAt Falafel Yo, we make falafel the same way we do it back home,â Guy says. âWe want it to taste the same. It has to be authentic. The Falafel you get here will taste the same, if not better, than the ones you get in the streets of Israel. We make sure that what we will be serving to our customers are not only affordable, but also fresh, authentic, and are guaranteed to fill their empty stomachs,â He adds.
Usually served in a pita bread with a choice of vegetables, hummus, and tahini sauce, falafel is perfect for holding and snacking on the move.
Guy on their menu, âWe have a very focused menu and that allows us to deliver the very best in authentic Israeli falafels. At the same time, we also want to cater to other people who maybe arenât familiar with Israeli cuisine and introduce them to falafels.â
The Yo is their traditional take on the Israeli sandwich. With 6 deep-fried falafel balls stuffed in a chewy pita bread lined with different vegetables, itâs a healthy and filling meal. The Falafelito is smaller version of the Yo made specifically for kids that also makes for a quick snack. It comes with fries and no chili. The Falafel Beast veers away from tradition in that it combines beef and chickpeas for the falafel balls.
Falafel Yo serves 3 different sandwiches – the Falafel Yo (P159), Falafelito (P99), and Falafel Beast (P189).
In addition to falafel sandwiches, customers can enjoy salads or add-ons like fried eggplant, homemade hummus, pickled onions (or sumac), roasted green chilies, cabbage, lettuce, and a Mediterranean tomato and cucumber mix. Falafel Yo also boasts homemade dips to go with their sandwiches – the amba, a sour yellow sauce made of mango, cumin, and turmeric, and the tahini, which is a mix of sesame seeds, coriander, and parsley.
For drinks, they serve tangy Lemongrass Juice (P95), a perfect refresher for the Manila heat.
Falafel Yo is located at the 3/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center in Makati. Situated on the cinema level, with a space that can fit only a few tables and chairs, they aim to provide affordable and hearty munchies for diners and movie-goers. Look out for more branches in the future as Guy and team are also planning on opening more branches within the year, and are targeting SM City North EDSA Annex and Vertis North as possible locations.
Learn more about Falafel Yo! at www.facebook.com/FalafelYo/
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