Indian restaurant in Jongno, Seoul for shrimp and dal: Meono Kkameona

An evening sharing several Indian dishes in Daehangno

You know those evenings in Daehangno when you crave something a little different from Korean food or meat? This time, I was in the mood for Indian food, so I went to Meono Kkameona Daehangno Branch (머노까머나 대학로점). What I actually ate that day was a shrimp dish, naan, dal tadka, lassi, and salad. Trying several things together was fun because the mains and the accompanying dishes each had a different feel, so we could share them one by one.

Meono Kkameona Daehangno Branch: location and visitor information

The address is the second floor of Ihwa Building, 236 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is open daily from 11:00 to 22:30 with no break time, and is within walking distance of Hyehwa Station Exit 4. There was a notice saying you can use the Asia Parking Lot behind the restaurant free for one hour. Parking and operating hours can change, so it is best to check the restaurant's latest information before visiting.

Meono Kkameona means “hope” in Nepali.

A differently chosen lineup, from shrimp to lassi

Meono Kkameona has quite a wide range of dishes beyond curry and naan, including tandoori dishes, rice, and drinks. Rather than having just one typical curry with naan that day, I wanted to taste a few different things, so I chose a varied lineup. I ordered one shrimp dish with naan and dal tadka, plus lassi to drink and a salad. In the end, each dish had a different flavor and texture, making it a nice dinner to share slowly.

Seating that works well for sharing dishes with a group

Meono Kkameona Daehangno Branch is on the second floor of Ihwa Building. Many restaurants in Daehangno are small or have tightly spaced tables, but the reviews provided describe this interior as relatively spacious. It is also worth noting that there is seating for solo visitors, meals for two, and gatherings with several people. When you want to order several dishes for dinner and eat at an unhurried pace like I did, a restaurant with table space is definitely more comfortable.

The plump shrimp dish that came to mind first

My favorite dish of this meal was the shrimp dish. I was curious about the naan and dal tadka too, but the shrimp dish was what I thought of first afterward.

I could really feel shrimp’s signature springy texture, and even with the sauce, the shrimp itself still had a strong presence. At an Indian restaurant, your attention can easily go first to curry and naan, but if you want to add a main dish, a shrimp menu item felt like a good option. Especially if two or more people are visiting and sharing several dishes, adding a shrimp dish makes the meal feel much more abundant.

How to pair naan with dal tadka

It is hard to leave naan out of an Indian meal, right? Fresh naan is mild and nutty even on its own, and it took on another character with a sauce such as dal tadka. I tore the naan into pieces and ate it with the other dishes. Rather than eating a large amount at once, sharing little by little helped it reset the flavors between the shrimp dish and dal tadka. If there are several kinds of naan, you could choose plain, butter, or garlic according to your taste.

The dal tadka we ordered is an Indian-style dish centered on lentils. It had a mildness different from a meat curry, so it went well with naan. If you are not used to food with spices, the aroma may feel unfamiliar at first, but eaten with naan, the flavors tend to come together more gently. A meal can feel a little heavy if you order only meat or seafood dishes, and having dal tadka alongside them made the overall lineup feel balanced.

Finishing with lassi and salad

I chose lassi, a yogurt drink, as my beverage. Taking a sip of lassi while eating spiced food changed the mood in my mouth, making it nice to return to the other dishes.

I also ordered a salad. In a meal centered on warm dishes such as naan, dal tadka, and the shrimp dish, having a little salad alongside them was nice for the contrast in texture. It was a lineup that suited a day when I wanted to eat several things slowly rather than finish dinner with just one dish.

Having one main, one naan, one lentil dish, a drink, and salad was nice because the meal did not lean too heavily toward any one flavor.

Things to keep in mind before ordering and visiting

• Check that it is on the second floor, not just the building—the entrance can be easy to miss on a first visit.
• Check the hours in advance—if you are going late in the evening, it is best to check closing time.
• If you are with several people, share a range of dishes—Indian food is fun when you try a little of several things.
• Do not order too much naan from the start—adding more if needed makes portion control easier.
• If spices are unfamiliar, read the menu descriptions—aroma and heat can vary widely by ingredient.
• If you like seafood, look at the shrimp dishes too—they give you a main-dish option beyond curry.
• Eat dal dishes with naan—they are easier to enjoy as a meal this way than on their own.
• Order lassi as well—it is good for refreshing your palate between strongly aromatic dishes.
• Check the latest information if using parking—the affiliated-parking terms may change.
• Allow travel time if you have a performance schedule—the Daehangno area can be busy in the evening.

First, do not order too much naan right from the beginning. Once you eat the other dishes too, you may get full more quickly than expected. Second, do not order based on dish names alone. Checking the spices and main ingredients makes it easier to choose for your taste. Third, do not order several curries only. Mixing in a main dish or salad makes the textures less repetitive. Fourth, do not assume the heat level will feel like your usual standard. The spicy sensation from Indian spices can differ from the familiar heat of Korean food. Fifth, do not visit right before a performance with no time to spare. If you want to eat leisurely and then head out, allow plenty of time for the meal.

The kind of day this is good for

This would be a good fit for anyone looking for a dinner other than Korean food or meat in Daehangno, anyone wanting to share several Indian dishes, or anyone who wants seafood alongside naan and curry. On the other hand, if you are sensitive to spice aromas or prefer only familiar dishes, it is better to read the menu descriptions carefully before choosing. I had shrimp, naan, dal tadka, lassi, and salad for dinner this time. I was especially pleased with the shrimp dish, so if I visit again, I would like to pair a different shrimp dish or another curry with it.