Indian restaurant in Yeonsu with three naan pairings: Manokamana

Full of exotic atmosphere and spice-filled flavor! Manokamana Songdo Branch (머노까머나 송도점)

The weather has been so nice lately—perfect for getting out and about—so I went on a Songdo Central Park restaurant tour for the first time in a while. There are countless restaurants around Central Park, but whenever I want proper, authentic Indian curry, there is one place that always comes to mind. It is Manokamana Songdo Branch, located in the Songdo The Sharp First World shopping complex!

An exotic, upscale interior

The moment I stepped inside, the gentle scent of exotic spices and the elegant interior caught my eye. From the entrance counter onward, carved wooden patterns, lighting, and colorful Indian-style decorations make it feel as though you have entered an upscale restaurant in India.

The restaurant is quite spacious and kept very clean. The tables and chairs are all made of solid, antique-style wood, creating a comfortable yet cozy atmosphere. When we visited, there were actually many international guests enjoying their meals, too! As you would expect from a place known around Songdo Central Park, it really inspired confidence as a proper Indian curry specialist that wins over not only Korean diners but international diners as well.

On one side of the restaurant, there was also a dedicated washbasin where you can clean your hands before eating. Since naan (Indian flatbread) is often torn by hand and dipped into curry, I really appreciated this thoughtful, hygienic touch.

Curry and naan chosen by smart order

Once you are seated, they set out basic plates, neatly arranged cutlery, and logo-printed napkins.

At Manokamana, you can order very easily at your table using the smartphone ordering system. The menu has detailed photos, descriptions, and prices, so even first-time visitors can choose without difficulty.

This time, we wanted to try a colorful variety, so we ordered plenty of different curries, naan, and rice!

• Chicken tikka masala (₩13,000)
• Mutton korma (₩14,000)
• Prawn masala (₩15,500)
• Plain naan (₩2,500)
• Garlic naan (₩3,000)
• Butter naan (₩3,000)
• Basmati rice (₩3,000)
• Total order: ₩54,000

A full spread of authentic curry and naan

Our ordered dishes finally filled the table! The sight of colorful curries and huge naan, freshly baked hot in the tandoor, immediately had my mouth watering.

Jalapeños, sweet-and-sour pickles, and kimchi are served as side dishes to cut through any richness.

Three main curries

The first dish I tried was prawn masala, filled with plump shrimp. It is a curry with an appealing kick and deep, distinctive spice flavor. When I scooped up a generous spoonful, there were large, bouncy pieces of shrimp inside, and the texture was such a delight. It was pleasantly spicy, so I could enjoy it deliciously all the way through without it becoming rich—an excellent choice!

Next was mutton korma, notable for its smooth, nutty cream flavor. Some people may worry that lamb curry will have a distinctive smell, but Manokamana's mutton korma had meat so tender it melted in the mouth, with no gaminess at all! It is a signature Indian curry that children and spice beginners can enjoy without any burden.

Finally, there was chicken tikka masala, a classic dish everyone loves! It has generous chunks of chicken and is savory and nutty.

The sweet-and-spicy tomato-based sauce went so well with the chewy chicken pieces that it was a flavor anyone could love.

Freshly baked naan and basmati rice

The inseparable partner for curry is, of course, naan!

We ordered all three—plain naan, garlic naan, and butter naan—and their enormous size alone made us gasp.

Fresh from the tandoor, they were crisp outside and wonderfully chewy within. The more you chew, the more their mild, nutty flavor comes through.

Tearing off a warm piece of butter naan, piling it with a big piece of chicken and chicken tikka masala, then taking a bite—it was heavenly.

We topped the appealingly pungent garlic naan with nutty mutton korma, then placed plump shrimp on mild plain naan and dipped it into the spicy prawn masala sauce. Switching among the three curry-and-naan pairings made every bite so much fun.

The naan is excellent, but basmati rice, fluffy Indian long-grain rice, is essential if you want to enjoy the authentic style properly!

Mixing plenty of smooth korma curry into the fluffy, long Indian rice gave it an exotic, polished flavor quite different from Korean steamed rice.

The naan wrap combinations are great, but do not miss pairing the curry with this rice either!

A meal after a Songdo Central Park walk

On this return visit to Manokamana Songdo Branch, everything from the interior and service to the most important thing—the food—made for a perfect meal without a single shortcoming.

If you are taking a walk or on a date around Incheon Central Park or Haedoji Park and looking for a different, lovely place to eat, I would recommend this Songdo Central Park restaurant, where you can enjoy high-quality, authentic food at approachable prices.

You will be happy with it for a family meal, a date, or a gathering!