Shawarma vs. Falafel — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 18, 2024
Shawarma is a meat-based dish, often wrapped, known for its seasoned meat and slow-roasting, while falafel focuses on deep-fried balls or patties of spiced chickpeas or fava beans.
Difference Between Shawarma and Falafel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Shawarma is traditionally made from marinated meat like chicken, beef, lamb, or turkey, which is slow-roasted on a rotating spit for hours, ensuring it is cooked to perfection. Falafel, on the other hand, is a vegetarian option, consisting of ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with herbs and spices, then formed into balls or patties and deep-fried.
The origins of shawarma are often traced back to the Middle East, where it is a popular street food offering a rich mix of flavors thanks to the spices used in its marinade, such as garlic, cumin, and paprika. Whereas falafel has its roots in the Middle East as well, it is especially renowned in Egypt and has become a global symbol of vegetarian cuisine, celebrated for its crunchy exterior and soft, flavorful interior.
Shawarma is commonly served in a wrap or pita bread with vegetables and sauces, such as tahini, garlic sauce, or hummus, making it a hearty meal. Falafel, while it can also be served in pita bread with similar accompaniments, is often enjoyed on its own or as part of a mezze platter, offering a lighter, but equally satisfying, option.
The preparation of shawarma involves a lengthy marination process, which imbues the meat with a deep, complex flavor profile. This contrasts with the preparation of falafel, where the mixture can be quickly assembled, but must be carefully balanced to achieve the right consistency for frying.
Comparison Chart
Main Ingredient
Marinated meat (chicken, beef, lamb, turkey)
Ground chickpeas or fava beans
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Origin
Middle East
Middle East, especially Egypt
Cooking Method
Slow-roasted on a spit
Deep-fried
Serving
Often in a wrap or pita with vegetables and sauces
In pita bread, on its own, or in a mezze platter
Flavor Profile
Rich, varied spices (garlic, cumin, paprika)
Herbaceous, with spices
Texture
Tender meat
Crunchy exterior, soft interior
Cuisine Type
Non-vegetarian
Vegetarian
Preparation Time
Lengthy marination plus slow roasting
Quick mix, then fried
Compare with Definitions
Shawarma
Middle Eastern Origin.
Lamb shawarma, a delicacy in Middle Eastern cuisine, showcases the region's spices.
Falafel
Origin in Middle East.
In Egypt, falafel is a common vegetarian breakfast.
Shawarma
Marinated Meat Dish.
Chicken shawarma is marinated overnight in spices before slow-roasting.
Falafel
Vegetarian Patty.
Falafel is made from ground chickpeas mixed with herbs and spices.
Shawarma
Served Wrapped.
Beef shawarma is often served in pita bread with tahini sauce.
Falafel
Served in Various Ways.
Falafel can be eaten alone or stuffed into pita bread with veggies.
Shawarma
Slow-Roasted.
Turkey shawarma is cooked on a rotating spit to ensure even cooking.
Falafel
Herbaceous Flavor.
Falafel is known for its flavorful mix of parsley, cilantro, and cumin.
Shawarma
Rich in Spices.
The meat in shawarma is seasoned with a blend of garlic, cumin, and paprika.
Falafel
Deep-Fried.
Falafel balls are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy.
Shawarma
Shawarma (; Arabic: شاورما) is a Levantine Arab dish consisting of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly-turning vertical rotisserie or spit. Originally made with lamb, mutton or chicken, today's shawarma may also be turkey, beef, or veal.
Falafel
Falafel (; Arabic: فلافل, [fæˈlæːfɪl] (listen)) is a deep-fried ball or patty-shaped fritter made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern food, commonly served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as taboon; "falafel" also frequently refers to a wrapped sandwich that is prepared in this way.
Shawarma
Meat, especially beef, chicken, or lamb, that is marinated, roasted slowly on a spit, and cut in thin slices, often wrapped in pita bread and served with various vegetables and tahini sauce.
Falafel
A mixture of ground spiced chickpeas or fava beans that is shaped into balls and deep-fried.
Shawarma
A Middle Eastern sandwich-like wrap of shaved lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, beef, or a mixture of these.
Falafel
A fried ball made of such a mixture.
Falafel
A sandwich filled with such balls.
Falafel
(uncountable) A Middle Eastern food in the form of balls made from chickpeas or broad beans and other ingredients. Often served in a pita.
There's a stall at the market that sells fantastic falafel.
Falafel
(countable) A pita with falafel balls inside (like a sandwich or a wrap).
Falafel
(countable) A single falafel ball.
The stallholder puts salad into an open pita bread, followed by the four falafels, and then liberally covers them with hummus.
Falafel
Small croquette of mashed chick peas or fava beans seasoned with sesame seeds
Common Curiosities
What makes falafel crunchy?
Falafel gets its crunchiness from being deep-fried.
Can shawarma be served in different ways?
Yes, shawarma is commonly served in a wrap or pita with vegetables and sauces.
How is shawarma cooked?
Shawarma is slow-roasted on a rotating spit.
Is falafel vegetarian?
Yes, falafel is a vegetarian dish made from ground chickpeas or fava beans.
Is falafel only made with chickpeas?
No, falafel can also be made with fava beans or a mix of both chickpeas and fava beans.
What are common spices in shawarma marinade?
Common spices include garlic, cumin, and paprika.
What texture is shawarma meat supposed to have?
Shawarma meat should be tender and juicy from the slow-roasting process.
How long does it take to prepare shawarma?
Preparation involves lengthy marination and slow-roasting, making it a time-consuming dish.
What is the main ingredient in shawarma?
Shawarma is made from marinated meat such as chicken, beef, lamb, or turkey.
Is falafel a main dish or a side dish?
Falafel can be both a main dish when served in pita bread with accompaniments or a side dish on a mezze platter.
Do shawarma and falafel have the same origin?
Both have Middle Eastern origins, but falafel is especially renowned in Egypt.
What is a common way to serve falafel?
A common way is in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce.
Can falafel be frozen for later use?
Yes, falafel mixture or cooked falafel balls can be frozen for later use.
Why is falafel popular in vegetarian cuisine?
Its base of chickpeas or fava beans makes it a protein-rich, vegetarian-friendly option.
Can falafel be considered a healthy food option?
Yes, falafel is considered healthy due to its high fiber and protein content from chickpeas.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
