India, which is the most populous country in the world after China, has developed various cuisines such as samosa, sambal, naan, tandoori chicken, and curry. Among them, “curry,†which is the most familiar and familiar food, collectively refers to dishes made with masala (Indian spice), and many spices such as mustard seeds, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom are added. Curry can be broadly divided into Korma (Korma), which has an attractive mild flavor by adding cream or yogurt to meat or vegetables; Madras (Madras), which is slightly spicy with chili and paprika powder; Vindaloo (Vindaloo), which has the spiciest curry; and gosht (gosht), which has goat meat and lamb as the main ingredient. In addition to this, a variety of flavors unfold depending on the ingredients included.
Indian food restaurants in Seoul include Gwanghwamun Gogavin Curry House, Daehak-ro Cali, Anam-dong Oshal, Hongdae/Sangsu Usab, Myeongdong Taj, Dongdaemun Everest, Hongdae Hapjeong Sitara, Jamsil Lotte Agra, COEX Agra, Sharosu-gil, Kyung Hee University Benares, Sookdae Benares, Yeonnam-dong Hello India, Sinchon Lee Agan, Hongdae Delia India, Garosu-gil Little India, Jamsil Goosu-gil Little India, Jamsil Keo Chin Sil India, Yeoksam Station riverside, Yeouido Mother India, Samcheong-dong Om Restaurant, Hyehwa-dong Manokamana, Cheongdam Swagat, and Namaste are famous. Famous Indian restaurants around the country include Bundang Tali, Gunpo Ginza, Ansan Kantipur Restaurant, Ilsan Royal India, Jeju Baghdad, Ancheon Bupyeong Bihani, Daejeon North Hara India, Daegu Kyungpook University Indian Wanderer, Daegu Sung Sweet India, Daegu Merchants Rama & Babana, Busan Haeundae Bombay Broi, Rama&Babana, Ulsan Namaskar, Yangsan Kitchen India, and Jukjeon First Nepal. Let's meet the 5 best curry restaurants in Seoul that are full of local Indian flavors and atmosphere.
1. Enjoy unlimited Indian curry and naan, and 'Utsab' in Hongdae
Image source: dr_kyong's Instagram
Image source: dr_kyong's Instagram
“Ussab†is located near Exit 1 of Sangsu Station. The fountain and the interior space, decorated with sculptures brought from India, recreate the atmosphere of a traditional Indian restaurant. The signature menu is the “Weekday Lunch Buffet†with unlimited refills, including three types of curries and Indian dishes, including salad, fried rice, naan, fruit, and rice pudding pirni. If you add 8,000 won to the buffet, you can enjoy an unlimited barbecue with seafood, vegetables, and sausages, so you can have a richer meal. The weekday lunch buffet is available between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and the types of curries offered change daily depending on store conditions.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 10, Wausan-ro 11-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
â–²Business hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 23:00, Sunday 11:00 to 22:00
â–²Price: Weekday lunch buffet 13,500 won, Froung Sizzler 23,000 won
â–²Testimonial (I'm hungry): It's great to be able to enjoy Indian food. I put curry on the naan and it was really delicious!
2. Small India in the heart of the city, Daehak-ro 'Cali'
Image source: min_young11's Instagram
Image source: Plinba's Instagram
“Cali†is so popular that long waits along the stairs continue on weekday evenings and weekends. Decorations collected by the boss himself during his trip to India are placed all over the store, creating an exotic feeling. The signature menu “Kali A Set†is where you can enjoy a hearty composition all at once, starting with curry, tandoori chicken tikka, naan, turmeric rice, and lassi. Among them, “tandoori chicken tikka,†made by marinating boneless chicken parts in spices and then grilling them in a wood-fired oven, is the most popular. The subtle charcoal-grilled aroma that appeals to the palate and the moist, soft, and crunchy texture are appealing. In addition, various set menus are available to suit the number of people, from 1 to 4 people.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 43 Daehak-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 12:00 — 21:30 every day, B/T 16:00 — 17:30
â–²Price: Kali A Set 26,000 won, Tandoori Chicken Tikka 13,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Na Hye-jin Shikishin): There were so many types of curries, but the creamy chicken curry seemed to be an easy one to eat! I ate it as a set and ate a variety of menus, but the grilled mushrooms were delicious, and the freshly made naan was hot, so it was great to eat with curry.
3. 'Gogabin Curry House' in Gwanghwamun, with a rich buttery flavor
Image source: content.design on Instagram
Image source: yura__a__'s Instagram
“Gogavin Curry Houseâ€, which means high (high), plus (), and hand bin (), conveyed a mutual desire to treat each other by adding only better things. It is a place that offers a fusion style curry that combines Japanese curry with Western-style curry. The signature menu is “butter chicken curry,†where spicy chicken thigh meat is placed on top of a curry with the sweet flavor of butter. The unique flavor of butter envelops the mouth thoroughly, and the large chicken thighs and ripe potatoes add to the fun of chewing. Every curry menu can be enjoyed even more by adding toppings such as avocado, grilled tomatoes, and grilled shrimp. Note that rice and curry can be refilled once each.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 7 Gyeonghuigung 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 11:30 — 21:20 every day, B/T 15:00 — 17:00
â–²Price: Butter chicken curry 12,500 won, shrimp chicken curry 13,800 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigin Punk Hazard): It's not as difficult to eat because of the spices you usually think of at a curry specialty store. The unique feel of curry is alive, and it's a flavor that we've done a lot of research to suit our tastes. I ate well.
4. Enjoy 'Agra' in Jamsil with a panoramic view
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
Image source: Bright1stbulb's Instagram
“Agra†is located on the 6th floor of Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, so you can enjoy a meal while taking in the panoramic view. The signature menu, “Butter Chicken Macney,†is a tomato sauce-based curry mixed with soft cream and chicken. If you put plenty of curry on Indian rice and eat it in one bite, it has a rich texture that combines chewy grains of rice with chewy chicken. “Mango & Grape Snow Bread,†where bread baked in a oven is eaten with fresh vegetables and fruits and dipped in a sauce, is also a popular menu. The bric sauce mixed with mayonnaise and lemon juice and the freshness of the fruit enhance the taste, making it a favorite appetizer. Classic naan and rice are served as a service when ordering 1 menu per person, excluding the lunch menu.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 6th Floor, Lotte World Mall, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 11:30 — 22:00 every day
â–²Price: Butter Chicken Macney 19,700 won, Mango & Grape Snow Bread 21,800 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigami TwistKim): I don't think the price is too expensive compared to the atmosphere or taste~ The lassi are also perfectly fine. If you are in love with delicious Indian curries and naan, I think this is a must-see restaurant. Top of the top Indian restaurants I've been to!
5. Like the local flavors, Sharosu-gil 'cloths'
Image source: v_bora_bora_v's Instagram
Image source: luv_himesama's Instagram
“Clothes†perfectly recreate local flavors based on traditional Indian recipes and spices. In addition to curry, it is a place where you can find many authentic Indian cuisines such as tandoori chicken, kebabs, pizza, and pasta. The characteristic of this place is that you can choose and enjoy the toppings and spiciness of the curry according to your preferences. There are 6 types of toppings: chicken, lamb, chicken, beef, seafood, vegetables, and paneer (Indian cheese). “Butter misala curry†made with a sweet tomato sauce and “spinach curry†made with finely ground fresh spinach are the most popular. Along with curry, I also like “lassi,†an Indian yogurt that does not use water and contains only yogurt stock and fruit.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 164 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 11:00 — 22:00 every day
â–²Price: Butter masala curry 13,900 won, spinach curry 13,900 won
â–²Review (Shikigami sanarae): Authentic Indian curry. The atmosphere of the store is also decorated in Indian style. It's easy to eat a lot, and it's a flavor that anyone can enjoy. If you order curry, rice is served. It's a place I always go to with my boyfriend on special days. The curry is delicious, but I personally recommend the special chicken!