Several things have been consistent each time I’ve swung by Salam Falafel, a two-month-old late-night pop-up in a Koreatown strip mall. One constant is that I’m the only customer whenever I show up.

The salam is payment in advance with delaying the receipt of the sold item. The Muslim faqihs (jurists), may Allah have mercy on them, define the salam as: “A contract according to which the price of ...

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alyhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.