Gangnam Indian curry restaurant with chewy naan: CURRY146

The day we were craving naan and curry in Seolleung

My husband and I went on a date, just the two of us, for the first time in a while. You know those days, right? When you want something a little special, with the fragrant smell of spices, rather than the Korean food or familiar dishes you usually eat. We eat together all the time, but making a point of going out together and spending time asking, “What should we eat today?” just feels different.

That day, I especially wanted to tear off warm naan and dunk it deeply into rich curry. That’s how we ended up at CURRY146 Gangnam Branch. If you’re looking for curry or Indian food near Seolleung, it’s a restaurant worth keeping an eye on.

The CURRY146 signboard and the story of a long-running brand

As we walked down the alley, a standing sign reading CURRY146 caught my eye. It had photos of curry, naan, salads, and various other dishes, so you could tell at a glance what they sold even while passing by. The name CURRY146 was the first thing that stood out when we arrived. Before we even went in, I was already thinking, “We’re really having curry today!” and getting excited for no reason.

There was also an information board on one side of the restaurant sharing CURRY146’s story. It said the brand had been going since 2008, so I realized they had been serving Indian food for much longer than I expected. It also introduced their Indian dishes and BBQ menu, so it was fun to look around.

Once inside, the entrance had such a cute feel. The green mat saying “Hello :)” and the sign saying “Have a nice day :)” put me in a good mood for no particular reason. But while looking around the restaurant, I learned something I hadn’t expected.

Oh, is this that curry place we ate at when we went to see that college friend?!!!!!!!!

My husband knew it, too.

I thought CURRY146 was a newly opened curry restaurant, but it turns out it started in front of Korea University in Anam in 2008. The notice said it opened near Korea University and has continued on to the current Gangnam branch, so my husband and I spent a while saying, “Wow, this place has been around much longer than we thought.”

It was interesting, too, because it specializes in British-style curry. You know how there are American-style Chinese restaurants in China, with things like orange chicken? Calling itself a British Indian curry restaurant made me even more excited.

Side dishes we chose with naan

The chickpeas and pickles came out, and they were exactly my kind of thing. Once I knew this curry restaurant had started near a university and lasted for so long, I became even more curious about the food.

Another thing that caught my attention was the description of the naan. It said an Indian chef makes the naan himself to go with mild British-style Indian curry that Korean diners can enjoy comfortably. For a naan-loving couple like us, that line was pretty important. My husband immediately said, “Then we absolutely have to get naan.” :) I liked that there wasn’t just one or two types; you could choose according to your taste.

I had thought it was a place with only curry and naan, but as I flipped through the menu, there was also a wide range of Indian tapas and BBQ dishes, including lamb ribs, lamb skewers, grilled vegetables, falafel, shrimp, salmon, chicken tikka, and steak.

We ordered a salad topped with fried chickpea fritters and hummus, and I was happy that naan came with it, too.

Lots of naan with thick curry

Once the table was set with warm naan, curry, beautifully yellow rice, and the sides, the aroma changed everything in an instant. I needed to take photos, but the curry fragrance kept rising up, and my husband was giving me that “Let’s eat already” look from beside me. Haha.

First, I took a spoonful of curry. The first taste was incredibly smooth. Rather than the spices hitting you strongly right away, a savory, creamy flavor wrapped around my mouth first, with a gentle spice lingering afterward. The sauce wasn’t thin and runny, either; it was nicely thick, perfect for coating the naan generously.

Instead of lightly dipping the curry, I found it much tastier to pile the sauce onto the naan like this. My husband was beside me tearing off naan and dunking it deeply into the curry, and we kept telling each other, “You have to get lots of sauce on this.” A bite of curry, another piece of naan, then lots more sauce…. We were definitely planning to eat slowly, but the naan disappeared in no time. Haha.

So if you asked me to choose between naan and rice, I couldn’t. Starting with naan and finishing with rice was the best way for me. :)

The warm, chewy texture of the naan

And then came the moment I had been waiting for most. I tore the warm naan apart with my hands and dipped it deeply into the curry. Even as I pulled it apart, it felt soft with a little springiness; once in my mouth, it was chewy and moist. The browned parts had a nice nutty flavor, too.

With plenty of curry on it, the rich, smooth sauce soaked deliciously into the mild naan. In one bite, you first notice the naan’s chewiness, then as you chew, the creamy curry’s savory flavor and spice gently spread through your mouth. I really loved that combination.

Would it work for a date or a Seolleung team dinner?

It was great for an intimate date for two, but the menu also looked ideal for ordering several dishes to share, so I think it would suit anyone looking for an unusual Seolleung team-dinner spot with coworkers. If you want a meal that feels a little different from usual in Seolleung, and you’re looking for a curry restaurant where you can enjoy smooth curry with warm, chewy naan, give CURRY146 Gangnam Branch a visit.

Next time, my husband and I decided to order one more naan and curry in different flavors each, so we can compare them properly. It was such a lovely evening that our next date spot was naturally decided over delicious food. :)