Mapo Indian restaurant with potato naan: Mandala Indian Lounge

Another day out in Mapo as always. I loooove Mapo-gu. Especially Hapjeong—I don't know why I love it so much, but I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had plans in Hapjeong for the first time in ages, so I came for Indian curry. It was my first really proper curry experience, so I headed up with equal parts anticipation and excitement.

Mandala Indian Lounge location and hours

Mandala Indian Lounge

• Location: 3F, 26 Dongmak-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 마포구 독막로3길 26 3층)
• Mon–Fri 12:00–23:00 / last order 22:30
• Sat–Sun 12:00–23:30 / last order 23:00
• They say they are closed on September 22! Keep that in mind!
• No parking

When you come in from Hapjeong Station toward the restaurant area, it is on the second floor!

A spacious interior filled with sunlight from the big windows

The interior was seriously so open and spacious, with generous room between the seats too, so it did not feel cramped at all! Maybe because it is on the second floor, sunlight softly poured in through the huge windows, and it just put me in a good mood somehow,, ✨

With the lighting and atmosphere, it feels like the sort of place where your friends or partner would immediately praise your good taste if you picked it for a date or meetup. The window seats are totally the best spot, so if you want an Instagram-style photo, absolutely claim a seat by the window hahaha

Choosing from curries to kimchi naan

The menu mainly focuses on curry, one of India's signature foods. You can choose from chicken, tandoori, lamb, shrimp, cream cheese, and vegetable curry categories. Since they also have vegetable curries, I thought it was interesting that there seemed to be plenty of options for vegans too.

There is even hookah at the very back of the menu.,!!!! I was super curious, but I had absolutely no idea what it was, so pass pass for now.

The naan choices include potato naan, cheese naan, and kimchi naan. Kimchi naan????????????????? As a total potato fanatic, there was no way I could not order the potato naan.

They give you naan for free if you write a receipt review, so that is good to know too.

My friend and I finished ordering: spinach chicken curry, lamb masala curry, potato naan, and rice! I thought I had eaten a lot of curry before, but it was my first time trying potato naan and cheese naan, so I was ridiculously excited.

The side dish they brought was perfect to eat right when things started to feel a little rich. It was similar to pickles, but fresher and with a little more heat, so it went really well with everything.

Tender spinach chicken curry

Spinach chicken curry, ₩13,000. The look of it was insane. The spinach-based curry and chicken topping worked so well together, and especially because the base was so smooth, it went beautifully with naan and also really well with rice.

Spicy, satisfying lamb masala curry

Lamb masala curry, ₩15,000. This curry brings together rich spices and lamb beautifully. The spinach curry was not spicy, but the masala had a spicy kick that made it deeply savory.

And the lamb was so tender and delicious, with lots of lamb topping too, so it was really filling. It went with both naan and rice! I want it again already..

Potato naan is a must for potato lovers

Potato naan, ₩5,000; rice, ₩2,000. This naan is stuffed with spiced potatoes and baked in a tandoor oven. This was seriously insanely delicious!!!!!!!!!!!! Is naan allowed to be this good,,, I have been alive all this time,,, and it is THIS tasty,,

A naan that potato lovers absolutely have to eat. It had lots of potato flavor while still being simple and delicious. And when you dip it in curry, you stay full for ages—it is seriously so satisfying!!!

There are potatoes and spices inside the naan like this, and it is truly so delicious, so everyone reading this, do not hesitate and just order it!!!! (Suddenly being polite,, hahaha)

Also, there is an actual Indian chef here, so the Indian curry flavor comes through even more. If I make plans for another Hapjeong outing, I will come here again! That is my promise to myself.

The staff were so kind, and everything from the restaurant atmosphere to the most important thing—the food—was perfect! It had been a while since I had proper Indian curry, and it totally hit my taste,, ❤️

I think curry lovers, of course, and anyone wandering around looking for a different, unusual restaurant will definitely be satisfied here! Next time, I am absolutely coming back to check off every last one of those other curry dishes I was eyeing, plus the kimchi naan I was so curious about haha

Save this as a must-visit when you are in Hapjeong!! 10000000000% recommended!!