1-hour parking discount at India Darbar, a Sillim Indian restaurant

Sometimes, instead of the usual familiar meal, I crave an authentic dish with exotic aromas and flavors filling my mouth. To properly taste deep curry cooked by a local chef and naan baked in a clay oven, I went to India Darbar in front of Sillim Station.

The place delivered better balance and more generous portions than I expected, and I immediately understood why it's a word-of-mouth favorite and a standout Indian curry restaurant in Sillim. There were so many menu items I was curious about, but here's my honest review after trying the well-rounded Set B.

• 📍 Location: 2F, 309 Sillim-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
• ⏰ Hours: Daily 11:00–23:00 (last order 22:30)
• 🚗 Parking: ₩2,000/hour (1 hour discounted off the bill) · Diamond Building, 13 Sillim-ro 58-gil (2-min walk) · in front of Silk Road Motel, 32 Gwancheon-ro (3-min walk)

How to find India Darbar and where to park

India Darbar is close by, just a 3-minute walk from Exit 3 of Sillim Station, where Line 2 and the Sillim Line meet. Coming out of Exit 3, pass the bus stop, and slightly into the big intersection on the right, you'll see it on the 2nd floor.

Even in the busy Sillim commercial area, they discount 1 hour of designated parking off your meal total, which makes visiting by car convenient too.

What the second-floor dining room feels like

Walking up the stairs to the 2nd floor of India Darbar feels like traveling to a fine dining spot in India or Nepal — exotic and immersive. Colorful flags hanging from the ceiling, framed pictures of local scenery, and warm pendant lighting create a cozy mood unique to the place.

The tables are spaced widely and comfortably, so it's great for gatherings with friends, dates, and even quiet solo meals.

In the kitchen, a local professional chef prepares each dish with care, and the staff were all friendly, so the whole meal felt lively and pleasant. It really hit me — I'd found a genuine Indian curry restaurant.

What comes in Set B for two (34,000 won)

That day at India Darbar, I ordered Set B, a well-rounded, great-value menu that lets you sample a range of popular signature dishes.

• Set B (for two / ₩34,000) composition
• Green salad + tandoori chicken
• Choice of one curry (butter chicken curry)
• Freshly baked plain naan + rice
• 2 glasses of traditional Indian homemade lassi

Green salad and tandoori chicken

The green salad served first, with sweet and tangy mango dressing over crisp vegetables, was perfect as a palate-opening appetizer.

Next came the appetizing tandoori chicken, roasted in a traditional high-heat tandoor oven and carrying a subtle smoky aroma. Marinated in yogurt and special spices, it had no excess fat but stayed juicy inside — dipped in the accompanying sweet-and-spicy sauce, the clean juices burst in my mouth.

Butter chicken curry and tandoor-baked naan

When the curry, naan, and rice arrived, I was amazed at the sheer size of the naan, which spilled over the basket. Fresh from the oven, it was crispy outside and chewy inside, with the savory taste of butter alive — good enough to eat on its own.

I chose the butter chicken curry. Kept on a small stove, it stayed warm to the last bite, with rich tomato and cream flavors blending into a taste anyone would love. The generous chunks of chicken inside were tender, never dry.

The clean balance suited Korean tastes, so even spice-sensitive beginners could enjoy it comfortably despite its deep flavor. Dipping a torn piece of naan into the curry, or mixing the curry into the fluffy rice, made a perfect combo that had me exclaiming out loud.

To finish, the homemade lassi had a rich, thick natural yogurt flavor that refreshed my palate.

Weekday lunch and tips for dining solo

India Darbar offers a lunch set for a great price of ₩12,500 on weekdays from 11am to 3pm. They also have a well-rounded solo set menu, making this a great spot near Sillim Station for a hearty, budget-friendly solo meal.

Is India Darbar worth a visit?

Chewy naan baked with care in a traditional clay oven, tandoori chicken crisp outside and juicy inside with plenty of smoky flavor, and deep curry with no harsh edge — it was a satisfying spread that showed off the local chef's deep skill and touch.

If you're looking for a reliably excellent, authentic Indian curry restaurant near Sillim, or a truly great Sillim spot for budget lunch, solo dining, or a unique date, be sure to visit India Darbar :)

Fill your tired everyday life with special energy with a hot, freshly baked naan and a bowl of rich curry!