Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2013

Falafels are not unheard of in Tokyo, offered in many a forward-thinking “world-food” restaurant. But if you like your balls of ground, seasoned chickpea served up in pita with the right salads and sauces stuffed in, then your options are limited. And if you’re looking for it completely kosher, there’s just one. King Falafel (1F, 2-7-31 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku; www.kingfalafel.com), right by Temple University in Minami-Azabu, makes the tastiest falafel this side of Tel Aviv bus station, with all ingredients completely natural and vegetarian, and homemade Yemenite tzchug (chili paste) to spice things up good. The self-proclaimed “Queen of Falafel” Kaori will smilingly serve you a full (¥770) or half (¥450) sandwich, or falafel bento (¥650). If you’re lucky you might see local Rabbi Binyomin Edery, who supervises what is Tokyo’s only certified kosher restaurant.