Indian curry in Jingwan-dong: chicken tikka and garlic naan at Swagat

Why I went looking for authentic Indian curry in Jingwan-dong on a weekend

It was the weekend, and I wanted a change of pace and a delicious meal I'd remember for a long time. Instead of the usual Korean or Western dishes, authentic Indian food suddenly popped into my head, something a little exotic that leaves a rich, savory taste in your mouth.

I searched hard for a place near Eunpyeong-gu that does proper, rich, local-style dishes, and finally decided to visit Swagat, which had been famous for ages through lots of reviews. I heard you can enjoy an exotic atmosphere and deep flavors right in the city without flying abroad, so I was excited before I even got there.

What is the atmosphere like at Swagat Eunpyeong Gupabal?

Swagat Eunpyeong Gupabal is a bright space with sunlight pouring through big windows, and the generous spacing between seats suits dates or family meals. The menu offers a wide range of curries, naan and single dishes.

Excited, I opened the door and the first thing I noticed was the warm sunlight streaming through the big windows and lighting up the whole space. Neat, exotic-patterned lamps and stylish little decor pieces were arranged all around the interior, and they caught my eye.

The seats are spaced generously, and the place feels cozy yet upscale, so my first thought was that it would be great for couples on a date or for a family meal. I slowly flipped through the menu on the tidy table and fell into a happy dilemma over what to combine. With curries, naan and single dishes all packed in, it lived up to my expectations of a Jingwan-dong Indian curry restaurant.

What comes in Swagat's Set B for two?

Swagat's Set B for two comes with boneless chicken tikka, two curries, naan, rice and two soft drinks. It was a solid choice for two people, with more to it than picking single dishes one by one.

Out of all the options, we decided to go with Set B for two, which looked the most complete. It included golden-grilled boneless chicken tikka, two richly flavored curries, a generous amount of naan and rice, and two cold soft drinks. Compared with ordering single dishes one by one, it was an excellent choice for both value and variety.

While we chatted after ordering, a sweet-and-spicy special sauce and tangy pickles were set out first. Then freshly cooked, steaming chicken tikka and fragrant curries arrived at the table one after another. The neat, colorful look made my mouth water just looking at it.

How are Swagat's curries and garlic and butter naan?

Swagat's curries aren't heavy on spices, so they suit Korean tastes, and alternating between a sweet curry and a mildly spicy one was fun. We chose garlic naan and butter naan (flatbread), which were crisp outside and chewy inside.

I tried the curry first while it was piping hot, and I was surprised that the spices weren't overpowering and blended just right for Korean tastes. From a curry with a sweet, mellow flavor to one with a little heat and a clean finish, alternating between the two was really fun. There was plenty of meat too, so the chewy texture came through properly.

My jaw dropped at the look and size of the naan fresh out of the tandoor oven. We chose garlic naan and butter naan, and every time I tore it warm by hand along the grain, the savory garlic and soft butter aromas hit my nose. Dipping the crisp-outside, chewy-inside naan generously into the smooth curry and taking a big bite, the savory depth just exploded in my mouth.

Boneless chicken tikka, blueberry lassi and event perks

The boneless chicken tikka in Swagat's Set B was tandoor-grilled, crisp outside and juicy inside, and the blueberry lassi cleansed the palate mid-meal. If you join the Naver booking or receipt review event, you can get tandoor naan or a freebie.

The boneless chicken tikka that came with the set was also more satisfying than I expected. With no bones it was very easy to eat, and it was grilled just right in the tandoor, crisp outside while holding in juicy moisture. Dipped lightly in the special green sauce, it matched the subtle spice flavor, and I kept reaching for more without getting tired of it.

For a drink I paired it with a blueberry lassi (yogurt drink), sweet and refreshing at once, and the smooth yogurt with rich blueberry cleaned up my mouth nicely between bites. There are also perks: join the Naver booking event or a receipt review and you can get extra tandoor naan or a freebie, which made the meal end on an even better note. The owner and staff were kind throughout, so I felt warmly treated right to the end.

Swagat Eunpyeong Gupabal location and visitor info

• Address: Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (near Gupabal Station Exit 2)
• Hours: open regularly every day (takeout and delivery available)
• Highlights: group seating, underground parking, Naver booking and review events running

It was a long while since I'd had such a full, happy meal in a nice atmosphere, and I already want to come back when I start missing authentic flavors. If you want an exotic, hearty meal with someone special, I warmly recommend stopping by Swagat, the Indian curry restaurant in Gupabal and Jingwan-dong.