Butter naan add-on at Namaste, an Indian restaurant by Dongmyo Station

Curry near Dongmyo Station | A couple set review from a Dongmyo Market date

I went to look around Dongmyo Market and suddenly craved Indian food after a long while, so I stopped by Namaste Dongmyo Branch.

When you're out at Dongmyo Market, where to eat matters too — and this time I found Namaste Dongmyo Branch, a great pick if you're searching for curry near Dongmyo Station. Above all, the location is excellent.

Where is Namaste Dongmyo Branch, and what are the hours?

Namaste Dongmyo Branch is on the 2nd floor at 18 Jibong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, about 29m from Exit 5 of Dongmyo Station — basically right in front of the station. It's open daily from 11:00 to 22:00, with last order at 21:00. It's a great spot to eat before or after browsing Dongmyo Market, so pairing a Dongmyo Market outing with an Indian food course, like I did, works well.

Inside Namaste Dongmyo Branch: decor that feels like a trip to India

Once you go up to the 2nd floor and walk in, the atmosphere is a total departure from the Dongmyo street outside. The interior is wood-toned, with Indian-style carvings, decor pieces, and colorful fabrics scattered around, giving it a fairly exotic feel. The carved wooden mirror in particular was so pretty I couldn't just walk past it — had to snap a photo. :)

By the window there's a statue with a strong Indian vibe, and with sunlight pouring in, the mood was lovely. The inside was also bigger than I expected. There were several tables, including spots good for groups, so it seemed fine whether you're coming as a couple on a date or with family or a bigger group.

What comes in the 50,000-won couple set for two?

That day we picked the Namaste Dongmyo Branch couple set (for 2) at ₩50,000. Here's what came with it.

• Samosa 2pcs
• Chicken tikka 4pcs
• Shrimp chili
• Chicken makhani
• Vegetable curry
• Plain rice
• Garlic naan

If we'd ordered dish by dish, we'd have agonized over what to get, but this set lets you sample a range of classic Indian dishes at once, which seems great for first-timers who want a generous spread. Dishes started coming out one by one and the table filled up fast. Even looking back at the photos, it really was a lot of food.

We even said to each other, "this spread is genuinely great," while eating — it was that satisfying.

Samosa, chicken tikka and shrimp chilli at Namaste Dongmyo Branch

First, the samosa.

The crispy fried pastry had filling inside, making it a nice bite to share before diving into the curries. It's also the kind of dish that feels mandatory whenever you're at an Indian restaurant. The chicken tikka, with its appetizing reddish color, came in 4 pieces. There was a spice aroma, but not overpowering, and it paired well with the chicken.

And surprisingly, the dish I kept reaching for was the shrimp chili. The sweet-spicy sauce with shrimp and vegetables refreshed my palate between bites of curry. Being able to enjoy a little of many different dishes was the biggest advantage of this couple set.

Best curry near Dongmyo Station: chicken makhani with garlic naan

My favorite combination of the day was, without question, chicken makhani and garlic naan! Chicken makhani is creamy, mild, and nutty, so even people who don't do well with strong spices could probably eat it comfortably. And the garlic naan comes in a genuinely generous portion.

Tearing off pieces of the freshly baked naan by hand and dipping them into the warm chicken makhani needs no explanation. There was a subtle garlic aroma, and the naan was chewy with nicely browned spots here and there, pairing beautifully with the curry. The vegetable curry also came alongside it, so you could alternate between curries instead of eating just one the whole time — that was another plus.

Is the 14,000-won lamb biryani worth adding?

And that wasn't all. :) We also tried the lamb biryani (₩14,000) on top, and it was a hit! Biryani is an Indian rice dish cooked with spices, and on Namaste's menu, lamb biryani is priced at ₩14,000. Even in photos, the grains of rice clearly look different from the rice we usually eat.

The long-grain rice was evenly infused with spices, with lamb tucked inside, so every spoonful carried a burst of flavor. Even after having our fill of curry and naan, the biryani felt like a completely different dish and I kept going back for more.

If you like spiced fried rice or rice dishes in general, I'd recommend the lamb biryani here too.

Dongmyo Market and Indian food: how the day came together

Dongmyo Market is fun every time I go. From vintage clothes to old objects, glasses, and all kinds of odds and ends, there's really nothing you can't find, and a walk-through can eat up hours before you know it.

Browsing the market and then having warm curry and naan nearby made for a really great course that day. If you're on a Dongmyo Market date looking for a slightly different meal, or hunting for a Dongmyo Blue Ribbon restaurant, this is worth keeping in mind.

A day of browsing the market and eating a hearty meal in an exotic space — we left full and satisfied. :)