Songdo Indian restaurant: butter chicken without coriander, Manokamana

I was near Songdo Central Park looking for something a little different from my usual meals, and that's how I ended up at Manokamana Songdo Branch.

I've always liked the combo of curry and naan, and Manokamana Songdo Branch is a pretty well-known Indian-Nepali spot in Songdo, so I'd wanted to check it out for a while. This time I went with the set for two, which comes with curry, naan, rice, and lassi all together — a great way for first-timers to sample a bit of everything without much pressure.

The butter chicken curry I picked in particular wasn't overpoweringly spiced — it was mild and smooth, so I think even people unfamiliar with Indian curry could enjoy it.

Where is Manokamana Songdo Branch, and what are the parking and opening hours?

Manokamana Songdo Branch is located at 107 Haedoji-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, on the 1st floor of Ge-dong at Songdo The Sharp First World. If you're driving, the building's basement parking was convenient to use.

It's close to Songdo Central Park, so it's a great stop before or after a walk in the park. It's also easy to reach by public transit. Based on recent visitor reviews, parking support is currently available, so it could work well for families or date nights in Songdo too.

Hours are listed as daily from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm with no break time. That said, hours can change, so it's worth checking before you go.

Inside Manokamana Songdo Branch: atmosphere and seating

Walking into Manokamana Songdo Branch, I immediately noticed how different the vibe was from a typical restaurant — a genuinely exotic feel.

Indian-style decor and props were everywhere, so it felt a bit like I'd gone on a mini trip even though I was just there for a meal. Seating was spacious too — good for two people, but also fine for a family or a larger group.

What comes in the SET B for two (39,500 won)?

We ordered Manokamana Songdo Branch's SET B for two, priced at ₩39,500.

For the curry we chose butter chicken, for the naan garlic naan, and for the rice plain rice, plus one plain lassi and one mango lassi for drinks. I'm not a big fan of coriander, so I asked them to leave it out when ordering.

Set B comes with salad and chicken tikka on top of the curry, naan, rice, and lassi, so it's a good fit for anyone who wants to try a little of everything.

Is Manokamana's butter chicken curry spicy?

The butter chicken curry at Manokamana Songdo Branch was creamy and smooth, without the spices hitting hard. I dug into the butter chicken curry first.

Overall, the creamy, smooth texture came through first, followed by a subtle tomato-based flavor. It wasn't a style where the spices hit you right away, so it was surprisingly easy to eat, and the slightly sweet, savory taste kept me coming back for more.

The chicken in the curry was tender too, pairing well with the sauce. If you prefer a rich, mellow curry over something intense or spicy, I'd recommend the butter chicken.

How to eat garlic naan and plain rice with butter chicken curry

The garlic naan was chewy with a subtle garlic aroma, and it was best dipped straight into the butter chicken curry. The garlic naan we had alongside the curry was delicious too.

Tearing into the warm naan by hand, the chewy texture really came through, along with a subtle, savory garlic aroma.

It was light and savory on its own, but it was best dipped generously into the butter chicken curry. As the smooth curry soaked into the naan and the garlic flavor came through, the combination worked really well together.

After eating some naan, I tried the curry over the plain rice as well.

While the naan had a chewy, savory charm, eating the curry with rice felt a bit more familiar and comfortable. Switching between naan and rice with the same curry kept things interesting, so I could finish everything without getting tired of it.

Plain lassi or mango lassi: which is better?

The plain lassi was tangy like yogurt, while the mango lassi was sweet, almost like a dessert. We ordered one of each.

The plain lassi had a tangy, smooth yogurt-like flavor, while the mango lassi had a sweet mango taste on top that made it feel a bit more like dessert. Sipping on the lassi between bites of the rich curry and naan helped reset my palate, and the pairing worked really well. Personally, I lean toward sweeter drinks, so the mango lassi was more to my taste!

Manokamana Songdo Branch: final verdict

This visit to Manokamana Songdo Branch made it clear this is a comfortable place even for people trying Indian curry for the first time.

The SET B I had wasn't just one curry — it came with chicken tikka, naan, rice, and lassi all together, which felt satisfying. The combination of the smooth, creamy butter chicken curry dipped in chewy garlic naan was the part I remember most.

It's a good spot to visit on a day when you're craving something different from the usual Korean or Western food, and being close to Songdo Central Park makes it easy to pair with a date. If you're looking for a good restaurant near Songdo Central Park in Incheon, or an Indian curry spot in Songdo, give Manokamana Songdo Branch a try :)