Sangsu Indian restaurant: cheese naan and veggie chow mein, Deli India

My family loves curry in all its forms, so whenever we eat out on weekends we often head to one particular Indian restaurant we're loyal to. It's called Deli India, tucked in an alley in Sangsu-dong. The reviews are consistently great and the taste and service never waver visit after visit, so whenever I'm craving proper Indian curry, this is the first place my feet take me — a proven Sangsu favorite.

Where is Deli India and how do you get there?

Deli India is on the 2nd floor of a building at 8 Dokmak-ro 9-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It's easy to walk to from either Hapjeong Station or Sangsu Station, and the alley walk over feels like a nice little stroll. On the door at the entrance there are TV appearance credits, cute signage, and all sorts of certification stickers plastered around — even before stepping inside, you get that feeling you've found the real deal, with a strong 'good restaurant' aura.

What is the restaurant like inside?

Walk into Deli India and the first thing you notice is the cozy, charming, exotic interior. Under soft, elaborate ceiling lighting, traditional Indian pieces, kettles, and dishware are neatly arranged, so browsing around before your meal is genuinely fun. On one wall there are clips from TV shows the restaurant has appeared on, along with autographs from various celebrities including Lee Kwang-soo. 'Ah, so this really is one of those places that insiders all know about,' I thought, nodding to myself.

The wide-open window seats at Deli India

On this particular visit the weather was so pleasantly breezy that the restaurant's wide windows were thrown fully open. Sitting by the window with a gentle breeze drifting in while looking out at the street and eating felt almost like dining on an outdoor terrace or on vacation somewhere — a much more romantic, upbeat meal than usual. Instead of a stuffy indoor feel, it was wonderfully open, and the whole family loved it.

Butter chicken curry and what else to order

Basically, you can't go wrong with anything on Deli India's menu. Starting with the signature butter chicken curry — mild and sweet enough for anyone to enjoy — the spice profile and balance of ingredients are deep and refined throughout the menu. Whenever people around me ask for a good curry spot in Hapjeong, this is the place I recommend without hesitation, and the food arrives plated in elegant Indian dishware that makes your mouth water just looking at it.

Cheese naan and butter naan: why order more than one naan

But the real reason my family keeps coming back to Deli India is the naan (Indian flatbread), baked fresh in the tandoor the moment you order. At most restaurants we'd just order one per person, but here we always start with at least two right off the bat. And once we're eating, they're so nutty and delicious we always end up ordering more.

The plain naan, simple and freshly baked, and the glossy butter naan are both crisp yet chewy, perfect for scooping up rich Hapjeong-style curry — the plate empties in no time. But our family's absolute favorite is, without question, the cheese naan! It comes sliced like a pizza, and when you lift a piece the warm, savory cheese stretches endlessly — the flavor and texture are just fantastic. If you love cheese, you have to try this.

Vegetable chow mein wrapped in naan

There's one more dish I'd urge you to try if you visit Deli India: the vegetable chow mein. The curry-and-naan combo is wonderful on its own, but wrapping the spicy, savory stir-fried vegetable chow mein in warm naan and eating it together is truly impressive. The slightly spicy noodles cut through any richness and add extra texture — it's a must-order every single time we visit.

If you're looking for a satisfying, easygoing family meal, or want to experience proper tandoor-fresh naan alongside rich Hapjeong-style curry, I highly recommend visiting Deli India, a standout Sangsu favorite!