Shrimp biryani dinner for four at Mandala, a Hapjeong Indian spot

Today I've got a Hapjeong curry story for you. You know those days when you're suddenly craving Indian food, haha? That was exactly the kind of day this was. My friends and I decided to go get Indian food in Hapjeong together. There was a Hapjeong curry place I'd been eyeing for a while, and I finally made it there. It's Mandala Indian Lounge.

If you're looking for Indian food in Hongdae too, this one's worth keeping in mind.

What Mandala Indian Lounge feels like at 7pm, and the seating

Mandala Indian Lounge is on the 3rd floor of a building at 26 Dokmak-ro 3-gil, and we visited around 7pm. It wasn't too crowded at that time, so we got in without any hassle.

The moment we walked in, I could tell the atmosphere was really nice — cozy but also stylish?

When you think 'Indian restaurant,' you might picture somewhere a bit dark and chaotic, but Mandala Indian Lounge was completely different. You could tell a lot of thought went into the lighting and interior. The seats were also spaced generously, so we could chat comfortably without worrying about the next table.

We sat down feeling like it was a friend date and opened up the menu. While we were slightly hesitating over what to order, a staff member came over first and recommended some dishes.

This was really appreciated. Some people aren't familiar with Indian food. But having each dish explained to us made it so much easier to order.

What four of us ordered at Mandala, and what it cost

After going back and forth, we ended up choosing these 4 dishes, plus a drink each.

• Chicken tikka
• Chicken tikka masala
• Shrimp biryani
• Plain naan

At Mandala Indian Lounge, curries run 12,000–15,000 won and naans 3,000–6,000 won, so it wasn't a big burden for four people. The portions also came out more generous than expected, which was perfect for sharing.

If I'm recommending a combination, pairing chicken tikka masala with chicken tikka, naan, and shrimp fried rice is a total win.

How the chicken tikka, chicken tikka masala, shrimp biryani and plain naan tasted

The first thing to arrive was the chicken tikka. It's grilled in a tandoor, and the spices weren't too strong, so even first-timers to Indian food could probably eat it without hesitation.

The chicken was really tender, and dipping it in the accompanying sauce made it even more delicious.

Next up, chicken tikka masala! It's tomato-based, so a tangy, deep flavor really hits you. Eating it side by side with the chicken tikka, it had its own distinct charm, haha.

You can think of the shrimp biryani as basically shrimp fried rice, but as I ate it, it also gave off a bit of a rice noodle vibe. The spices weren't overpowering, so I kept reaching for more without any hesitation.

The plain naan was really good too. Slightly crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside — perfect for scooping up curry.

Pairing the chicken tikka masala with chicken tikka, naan, and shrimp fried rice together

felt like we'd laid out a proper feast. With the four of us taking turns trying a bit of everything, we never got tired of it and enjoyed every bite until the end.

Mandala Indian Lounge location, hours and closing day

• 📍 Location: 26 Dokmak-ro 3-gil, 3rd floor, Mapo-gu, Seoul (walkable from Hapjeong Station)
• ⏰ Hours: Daily 12:00–23:30, closed Tuesdays
• 🚇 Transit: Walk from Hapjeong Station

It's an easy enough distance to make a good spot for a dinner meetup. This is definitely something worth checking before you go.

It would be such a bummer to show up on a Tuesday and get turned away ㅠㅠ If you go around 7pm like we did, you should be able to enjoy it comfortably without waiting. Next time I visit, I'd like to try some of the other curries I haven't had yet.

Is Mandala Indian Lounge worth it for a group dinner?

This Hapjeong curry place we visited, Mandala Indian Lounge, had a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food all around. If you're looking for Indian food in Hapjeong or Indian cuisine in Hongdae, it's worth a visit.