Indian restaurant in Jongno, Seoul: Namaste couple set for two

I've liked Indian food's familiar yet exotic aromas and flavors ever since it first got popular here, but honestly, 8 out of 10 Indian restaurants tend to disappoint, so it's hard to just walk into one without hesitation.

My partner and I were hungry on a Saturday at 4pm and went looking for good curry near Dongmyo Station, which is how we found Namaste, a Blue Ribbon-rated restaurant. It turned out to be one of the two or three best Indian meals I've ever had.

Every dish was clean-tasting, distinctive yet familiar in flavor, and fresh. It was my partner's first time eating Indian food, and they said, "Wow, I was worried about Indian food but this is better than I expected!" I said, "This place clearly knows what it's doing." What made me even happier was that the couple set for two was so much food we could barely finish it — easily enough for three adults, which felt like excellent value.

Who is Namaste Dongmyo Branch a good fit for?

It suits anyone looking for reliable Indian food near Dongmyo Station, or who wants to try a wide range of dishes from curry and naan to tandoori.

Can you eat at Namaste at 4pm?

My partner and I had both skipped lunch and were starving by 4pm, but every restaurant we checked had a break time. I liked that this place doesn't.

How to walk to Namaste from Dongmyo Station

Here's how to find Namaste, the Blue Ribbon restaurant near Dongmyo.

It really is just 29m, about 30 seconds, from Exit 5 of Dongmyo Station. We got off the bus at Dongmyo-ap Station and walked 2-3 minutes to get there.

Where to park near Namaste Dongmyo Branch

There are two paid parking lots nearby. The closer one to Namaste is Truparking Dongmyo Parking Lot. If it's full, I'd recommend Dongmyo Public Parking Lot.

Inside Namaste: clean and distinctive

Honestly, when I saw photos from other blogs, the space didn't look especially pretty, so I went in expecting to be underwhelmed.

The moment I walked in, I blurted out "Oh?" The space was surprisingly clean and distinctive. At most Indian restaurants I've been to, the decor tends to feel a bit dated and the atmosphere vaguely off.

Here, everything was clean and nothing looked worn out. It almost felt like an upscale space. Since we arrived at 4pm, we were the only customers there.

But by past 5pm, the place was nearly full even though it was still early for dinner. Made me realize it wasn't a random Blue Ribbon pick for Dongmyo.

What comes in the couple set for two

These seem to be Namaste's signature dishes. Among all these options, my partner and I ordered the couple set for two.

Not having to agonize over what to order was a plus, and the portions were generous.

Chicken makhani curry

Everything was good, but the chicken makhani curry was the best of all. The chicken thigh seemed to have been slow-cooked in the cream and curry sauce. I tore off a piece of the chewy-crisp-soft naan, piled on some chicken makhani, and after the first bite said, "Is this really chicken?" The texture was chewy on the outside but incredibly tender inside — nothing like the chicken texture I'm used to. My partner took a bite too and wondered, "What part of the chicken is this? Is it tenderloin?"

Overall the curry and cream weren't too salty, felt smooth, and had a savory depth with a hint of exotic aroma — my favorite dish of the meal.

Samosa, 2 pieces

Crispy samosas that shattered apart like wakuk bbol dough. The flavor was a bit heavy on spice, though.

They seemed to be made with potato, various vegetables, curry powder and spices. Since I'm somewhat used to exotic flavors, I ate them fine, but my partner didn't take to them and said, "This isn't for me. You eat the rest."

Mixed vegetables (mix veggie)

The mixed vegetable dish was made entirely of vegetables — roughly egg, tofu, beans, corn, what looked like green beans, and zucchini. It had a light tomato-based spice base and was well-seasoned, with a crunchy, popping mix of vegetable textures and savory depth that made it my second favorite dish.

Piled onto naan, it cut through the naan's buttery richness while the vegetables' savory flavor came through clearly — surprising that it tasted this good without any meat.

I thought there was meat in it, but eating more, it seemed to be all vegetables, so I asked my partner, "Is this vegetables only?" They said, "You didn't know?"

Tandoori chicken tikka

The tandoori chicken tikka had real smoky char, a crisp exterior, and wasn't too heavily seasoned — genuinely good.

I did feel like the inside was a touch dry, but the seasoning and cooking overall were solid enough that pairing it with the moist lassi drink made it satisfying.

Shrimp chilli: how spicy is it?

My partner and I kept saying how good the shrimp chilli was as we ate it. It's not the sweet-and-sour chilli shrimp we usually think of — instead the smoky, crispy batter wrapped plump, moist shrimp, with a flavor leaning more salty and slightly sweet than sour. More than anything, it was seriously spicy. A sharp, tingling heat different from buldak (fire chicken) spice, but just as intense. My partner choked mid-bite and said, "Whoa! Careful, you'll choke on that — but it really is delicious."

Lassi

The lassi is essential with the couple set. While none of the set dishes were greasy, they did feel a bit heavy overall, so the sweet-tart lassi — tasting like apple mixed with yogurt milk — was the refreshing kick that cleared the palate. One downside: you may end up in the bathroom often that evening, since it's basically a probiotic-packed drink.

Verdict: a satisfying meal from curry to tandoori

Namaste, known for good curry near Dongmyo Station, delivers solid execution across curry, naan and tandoori if you're looking for reliable Indian food. The couple set in particular has a varied lineup and generous portions, making it well worth it. The spices don't overpower, but the exotic flavor still comes through clearly, so it's an easy, low-pressure place to enjoy. If you're after proper Indian food among Dongmyo's restaurants, this one is worth a visit.