Food from Every Stall on Norwich Market (2025 Edition) – Week 5 and Falafel and Friends

This week’s visit in the project that James and I have to dine at every food stall at Norwich Market (2025 edition) was to Falafel and Friends.

The menu is extensive and is displayed across two boards. The stall is one of the larger ones at the market as it takes up four units and it’s clearly signed so customers know where to order. The stall takes cards and cash, with everything being clean and tidy. There was a friendly and immediate welcome from the team member, with the ordering process being efficient and well managed. I was given a little slip with my order number, although the team member brought it over around six minutes later without needing to be reminded what I had ordered.

I took a seat in the small dining area which overlooks the servery and the waiting customers, although it was quiet for the half an hour we were there with just a couple of customers. James had to hide from the staff at Lucy’s Chips, once again, as they will wonder why he’s defected away from them. When seated James excitedly told me his latest joke, which was as funny as usual, but was at least not offensive to anyone in the surrounding area.

I went for the Kimchi Dog, which is what I had tried to order when we visited in 2023 but they weren’t available at the time. This was decent, the roll was lightly toasted and the falafel sausage was firm on the exterior and yielded when cut to a softer interior with the falafel having a depth of flavour. I liked the homemade kimchi element under the sausage, although I thought that it could have been a little more powerful in flavour. The Cajun potatoes were crispy and tasted rather pleasant with some lingering heat, whilst the sauce added some extra piquancy to the whole arrangement. The elements worked well together, with the blend of spices and ingredients being thoughtful.

James had pancakes and I asked him what he thought, which was something like (and he’ll forgive me if I’ve got his words slightly wrong):

“The culinary endeavour presented by these Kimchi Pancakes offered a fascinating exploration of flavour and texture. Anchored by a foundation of meticulously homemade kimchi, whose inherent piquant undertones provided a nuanced savour, the pancakes were skillfully crafted with gluten-free flour, resulting in a commendably tender consistency. Visually appealing with a scattering of verdant spring onions and an artful drizzle of vibrant sriracha, the initial gustatory apprehension revealed a complex interplay of umami and spice. While the anticipated savoury notes were indeed present, an unexpected yet intriguing sweetness emerged, creating a paradoxical harmony that, though not entirely conventional, proved to be a noteworthy characteristic.

Despite this subtle saccharine inclination, the Kimchi Pancakes were ultimately a satisfying and substantial offering. The inherent density and the fibrous nature of the kimchi contributed to a pronounced sense of satiety, rendering them a decidedly filling option. The thoughtful integration of high-quality ingredients, from the homemade kimchi to the gluten-free base, alongside the considered garnishes, elevated this dish beyond mere simplicity. Though the sweetness introduced a minor divergence from typical expectations, the overall experience was one of sophisticated flavour and considerable substance, marking it as a commendable and intellectually stimulating culinary encounter. Oh, and it was a bit sickly.”

So, that’s all rather lovely. I really enjoyed my Kimchi Dog which was filling and had a range of tastes and flavours. The challenge is that two years this was £7.50 and it’s now £9 for understandable inflationary reasons, but it’s now at a very punchy price point. I can understand their cost base and I’d still come back here again, as the quality of the food is definitely one of the best in the market. I mentioned in 2023 that this isn’t one of the stalls that James and I would have thought to go to before (we are a bit chips based), but it has surprised and delighted once again.