Hapjeong Indian restaurant: butter chicken and lamb masala at Mandala

Looking for a different kind of date in Hapjeong? Today I'm introducing Mandala Indian Lounge, an Indian restaurant in Hapjeong where you can enjoy curry and naan with a real Indian feel~!! The spices aren't too strong, so beginners can enjoy it without worry, and with its clean interior and date-friendly mood, I recommend it as a date spot too~~~

Where is Mandala Indian Lounge?

Mandala Indian Lounge is a 3-4 minute walk from Exit 3 of Hapjeong Station, on the 3rd floor of a building on Dongmak-ro 3-gil. I hear it's a new Hapjeong branch opened by a chef who has cooked Indian food for a long time!

A good mood for a Hapjeong date

The clean, stylish atmosphere at Mandala is so nice, haha. The staff are friendly and communicating in Korean is easy, so first-time visitors can eat comfortably~! It's great for a meal during the day, and in the evening the mood really comes alive, which makes it a fine date course. Aren't the window seats just so pretty? ㅠㅠ

Mandala menu: how much are the curries, naan and biryani?

At Mandala Indian Lounge, curries are ₩13,000-15,000, naan is ₩3,000-6,000, and biryani (spiced rice dish) is in the ₩15,000-18,000 range.

• Curries: butter chicken (chicken makhani) ₩13,000, masala curry ₩13,000, lamb masala ₩15,000, spinach lamb ₩15,000, palak paneer (spinach and cheese curry) ₩14,000, minced lamb curry ₩15,000, shrimp spinach curry ₩15,000
• Naan: plain naan ₩3,000, garlic naan ₩3,500, butter naan ₩3,500, cheese naan ₩6,000, butter garlic naan ₩4,000, honey naan ₩3,500, potato naan ₩5,000
• Biryani: chicken biryani ₩16,000, lamb biryani ₩16,000, shrimp biryani ₩18,000, vegetable biryani ₩15,000

There's a wide range of curries and several kinds of naan, so you can mix and match to your taste, haha. If it's your first visit, I recommend butter chicken and lamb masala with plain or garlic naan~~ The tableware is clean too, which I really like!

Is chicken makhani (butter chicken curry) good for Indian food beginners?

The first dish we ordered at Mandala was the ₩13,000 chicken makhani! It's an Indian-style butter chicken curry made with butter and tomato cream, known for its smooth, rich flavor!

The spices aren't overly strong, so even people new to Indian food can enjoy it without worry. The chicken is tender and goes well with the sauce, haha.

If I had to compare it to something, it's like tomato plus cream.. The creamy sauce goes really well with naan, and the subtly spreading spice flavor keeps you reaching for more!

What does the lamb masala taste like?

Along with the chicken makhani, we also ordered the ₩15,000 lamb masala. It's tender lamb in a rich masala sauce. If you like the taste of lamb, I recommend this curry. The lamb and spices go together so well!

The lamb masala has an appealing spice flavor, so I recommend it for anyone who likes something a bit richer than the butter chicken. Rather than ordering just one curry, ordering two and sharing is even more satisfying, which I love!

Which naan to order? Plain naan and garlic naan

At Mandala, one naan per person is a must... naan is the one thing Indian food can't do without! Baked in a clay oven, it's slightly crispy outside and chewy inside, which is its charm~

Dipped generously in the curry sauce, it's a perfect match. The naan itself is nutty too, so while eating it with curry, a whole piece disappears in no time....

Next is the garlic naan. A subtle garlic aroma rises from the freshly baked naan! It goes really well with the butter chicken curry and pairs nicely with the lamb masala too. If you're ordering just one naan, I highly recommend the garlic naan~~

First time at Mandala in Hapjeong: what to order?

If it's your first visit to Mandala Indian Lounge, I'd recommend butter chicken curry and garlic naan. If you're looking for a different kind of date in Hapjeong, give Mandala a try. Clean interior, friendly service, and Indian food anyone can enjoy without worry, all recommended~~ If you're looking for a curry spot or an exotic-feeling date restaurant near Hapjeong Station, save this and pay a visit~~~