Weekday lunch Set A butter chicken curry at India Darbar, a Sillim

Craving something different in Sillim, I headed to India Darbar, an Indian restaurant. They have a lunch set that lets you try curry, naan and tandoori chicken all at once, so I dropped by on a weekday for lunch.

Where is India Darbar and what are its hours?

India Darbar is located 216m from exit 3 of Sillim Station, on the 2nd floor above a jjukkumi (spicy stir-fried octopus) restaurant on the ground floor.

• Hours: Daily 11:00–23:00
• Other: Takeout, delivery, reservations, Wi-Fi, corkage available, group-friendly

Inside India Darbar: atmosphere and seating

The moment I walked into India Darbar, the distinct scent of Indian spices hit me. It was strong at first, but I liked that the dishes themselves didn't carry an overpowering aroma. The interior had Indian-style decor and props scattered throughout. With table seating, it felt comfortable for couples, families or groups.

What's on the menu at India Darbar

India Darbar's menu options were more varied than I expected, going beyond just curry. Weekday lunch sets are offered, and for weekday evenings, weekends and holidays there are one-person and two-person set menus. If choosing individual dishes feels overwhelming, ordering a set is an easy option.

The curries ranged from vegetable and chicken to lamb and shrimp curry. Each curry has different ingredients, making it easy to pick based on preference. The naan wasn't limited to the plain kind either — there was butter naan and garlic naan, plus sweet naan and cheese naan to pair with whatever curry you chose.

Besides curry and naan, there was fried rice, fried noodles, pasta and salad. Tandoori dishes, which no Indian restaurant would be complete without, were also on the menu. With such a wide range from mains to sides, it seemed like a good spot for a group to share.

For drinks, there was black tea and milk tea, plus lassi, the traditional Indian yogurt drink. Alcohol was available too — Indian whisky, Khukri rum, wine and more.

What comes in the weekday Lunch Set A at 13,500 won per person

Weekday Lunch Set A, 13,500 won per person, ordered ×2.

Green salad

The green salad arrived first, lightly dressed with a refreshing vinaigrette. It was topped with tangerine, adding a sweet-tart note. It was a great way to freshen up the palate before diving into the curry and tandoori chicken.

Butter chicken curry: how spicy is it?

With Lunch Set A, you can choose your curry from palak paneer, butter chicken, or chicken tikka masala. I went with my usual favorite, butter chicken curry.

True to its name, the butter chicken had a soft, savory flavor up front. The spice wasn't overpowering, with a subtle sweetness layered in. The sauce was creamy and smooth, which paired perfectly with dipping naan.

Tearing off pieces of naan and loading them up with curry made the savory flavor even richer. Eating it with rice on top of the naan made the meal feel more filling. Even for those wary of strongly spiced curry, this one was fairly easy to enjoy.

Naan and lassi

The naan was cut into easy-to-eat pieces with scissors and dipped into the butter chicken curry. The texture was really chewy, with a plain but oddly addictive flavor. It paired especially well with the savory, sweet butter chicken sauce — I kept reaching for more.

The lassi served alongside is a traditional Indian yogurt drink. It was tangy, sweet and smooth — much more familiar-tasting than I expected. It reminded me of the yogurt drinks we have here, so it was easy to drink without hesitation. It felt like a refreshing palate cleanser after the curry and tandoori chicken.

Boneless tandoori chicken

The tandoori chicken looked quite spicy at first because of its red color. But eating it, I barely tasted any heat at all, contrary to expectations. Since it's boneless, you can eat it piece by piece without having to pick around bones.

Who should eat at India Darbar near Sillim Station

If you've been wanting to try Indian food, or you're craving curry and naan, India Darbar seems like a good place to visit.