Mapo Indian restaurant with lamb spinach curry: Mandala Indian Lounge

Mandala Indian Lounge 📍 Location | 26 Dongmak-ro 3-gil, 3F, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea 🕒 Hours | Daily 12:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:30) 📱 Reservations | Available through Naver Booking

A visit to Mandala Indian Lounge near Hapjeong Station

It had been a while since I last craved Indian food, so I visited Mandala Indian Lounge, which serves Indian dishes in Hapjeong. It is near Hapjeong Station, so it was easy to get to by public transport, and the lovely atmosphere makes it great for a date too!

Mandala Indian Lounge is near Exit 3 of Hapjeong Station, on the third floor of the building. I went up to the third floor using the stairs on the left.

An open interior with floor-to-ceiling windows

The interior is one open space, and the floor-to-ceiling windows gave it an airy feel. With its modern, clean interior, I could hardly believe this was a curry restaurant in Hapjeong.

Mandala Indian Lounge prepares curry, tandoori, and biryani every day with fresh ingredients and spices, based on authentic Indian recipes! During the day, its lunch sets and early dinners give energy to Hapjeong-dong office workers and visitors. From day to night, it is a special space where flavor, atmosphere, music, and fragrance come together. If you are looking for an exotic experience in Hapjeong-dong, come to Mandala Indian Lounge.

There were tables in various sizes for one to four people, and the generous spacing between them felt pleasantly open. We visited as a pair and sat at a three-person window table. Looking down at the Hapjeong side street below felt cozy, and it was fun to watch.

The nighttime mood after 9 p.m.

From 9 p.m., the space turns into a hookah bar with music, which seems perfect for a party with international friends, a stylish date, or a hip night out. Cool cocktails, wine, and a variety of shisha are available, and you can experience the Hongdae/Hapjeong lifestyle as it is. I am curious about the nighttime atmosphere too, a complete 180-degree change from the daytime.

Ordering lamb spinach curry and chicken tikka masala

Why have I been craving Indian curry so much lately..! Since I came to try Indian food in Hapjeong, I ordered two curries, naan, and a bowl of rice. If you are new to curry, I think you cannot go wrong by focusing on the starred items on the menu. Normally, I would have ordered sweet chicken makhani, but I was drawn to something new, so I ordered a colorful spread. Mandala Indian Lounge had well-organized set menus, many kinds of curry, and plenty of drinks, so it looked easy to mix and match exactly what you want.

• Lamb spinach curry ₩15,000
• Chicken tikka masala ₩13,000
• Butter naan ₩3,500
• Bowl of rice ₩2,000

Our food was served quickly. An appetizing meal with a great view—⭐️ even the colors of everything we ordered were so pretty.

Two curries with naan and rice

Lamb spinach curry

This was a smooth, easy-to-eat curry with fresh spinach and tenderly cooked lamb. The yogurt sauce(?) drizzled on top paired well with it, and its loose, flowing consistency was great for dipping naan or mixing into rice!

Chicken tikka masala

This dish had a little spice and plenty of savory flavor, with chicken that made it satisfying. It had the subtle sweetness of lemongrass and a gentle heat, so it was easy to enjoy.

Made with authentic Indian recipes, the curries at Mandala Indian Lounge were overall more lightly seasoned than the curries I usually eat, making them feel wholesome, and the ingredients tasted wonderfully fresh. I loved the feeling of the space, so it is a place that leaves me looking forward to seeing what the evening atmosphere is like.