How to Enjoy Indian & Japanese Curry in Korea

You all know that Koreans are serious about choosing what to eat every day.

Many Koreans enjoy eating curry and we have a lot of curry restaurants in Korea. So we’ve prepared some curry restaurant recommendations in Seoul. Also, many of our Indian friends/readers have asked us if we ever tried Indian food. Yes, of course! From palak paneer to tandoori chicken, we very much enjoy Indian food. ????

Maybe we can produce contents on different types of food we enjoy here in Korea with some of the restaurant recommendations! Let us know how you think about this.

Japanese Curry vs. Indian Curry

When Koreans say, “let’s grab curry for lunch/dinner,” it’s either Japanese Curry or Indian Curry. If Koreans just say ‘curry,’ it usually refers to the Japanese curry. If they say, ‘Indian curry,’ that specifically refers to the Indian curry.

Japanese curry is usually thicker than the Indian curry and is always served with the sushi rice.

Here are some of our restaurant recommendations in Seoul, please enjoy!

9 Indian Curry Restaurant Recommendations in Korea

1. Gurkha Restaurent (구르카인도레스토랑)
???? 5th Floor, 16-1, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Gurkha restaurant uses the halal chicken, beef, and mutton. Their menu varies from Indian & Nepali dishes to fried dishes and curry. Many people recommend Sha Bhakle from Gurkha.

2. Kali Indian Restaurent (깔리)
???? 2nd Floor, 43, Daehak-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Kali Indian Restaurant locates in one of the popular college towns in Korea. There usually is a long line, so we recommend you get there a bit early or make reservations beforehand. You can feel the vibrant vibe or Korean college town and enjoy this place with curry & tandoori chicken.

3. Pooja Restaurent (뿌자)
1st???? 3rd Floor, 327, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2nd ???? 13, Eulji-ro 43-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Pooja is not a big restaurant, has around 7 tables. This restaurant locates in Nepal Food Street in Jongno-gu, so it has its own authentic vibes. Lunch menu goes from 11am to 3pm with reasonable place, so many people choose to eat at Pooja. People especially praise about the mutton curry here.

4. Indian Night Market (India Yasijang) (인도야시장)
1st???? 11-4, Gangnam-daero 96-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2nd????3rd Floor, 20, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
3rd????2nd Floor, 33, Toegye-ro 58-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Indian Night Market is Indian restaurant located in more of the popular area. Many Korean workers would choose to go here for lunch and dinner. The taste is somewhat localized to Korea, but still has authenticity!

5. Taj Palace (타지 팰리스)
???? 39, Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Taj Palace is located in the center of Itaewon — it’s well known for the buffet that they serve. People especially enjoy curry and biriyani from Taj palace. Plain naan is all you can eat, so if you’re a solo traveler or big group travelers, this is a place to go.

See below for other Indian restaurent recommendations. Search before you go to make sure if they are still on a business! ????

• Chakraa Indian Restaurent (차크라)
  ????83 Deoksodong Ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Everest Restaurant (에베레스트)
  • ????2-1, Jong-ro 51ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• GANGA (강가) *If you want to experience the more localized version of Indian curry restaurant, we recommend you to go to GANGA (강가) because it usually locates in big office buildings (such as Lotte Tower and Yeongdeungpo Time Square) and there are packed with Korean workers!
  • 1st???? Lotte World Mall 6th Floor, 300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • 2nd???? 2nd Floor, 7, Gukjegeumyung-ro 2-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • 3rd????Seoul Finance Center, 136, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • 4th????4th Floor, Yeongdeungpo Time Square, 15, Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • 5th????B1, GS Tower, 508, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Jyoti Restaurant (죠티레스토랑)
  • 1st???? 3rd Floor, 6, Sinchon-ro 20-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • 2nd???? 12-4, Seoae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

8 Japanese Curry Restaurant Recommendations in Korea

When we go to Indian restaurant, we see many Indian and foreigners there (of course Koreans too!); however, when we go to Japanese curry restaurant, we mostly see Koreans and local people. Below are 2 reasons why we think this way :
(1) While most of the Indian curry restaurants are run by Indians, Japanese curry restaurants are run by Koreans.
(2) Japanese curry is pretty similar to Korean curry, so it is more localized to Korean style, as well.

1. Himeji (히메지)
1st???? 200, Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2nd???? 41, Yeonhui-ro 11-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Himeji is tiny, authentic Japanese curry restaurant that’s been loved by Koreans since mid 2010s. Veggies are pretty big, so you can fully enjoy the texture of them. Udon is well-known too.

2. Nodame (노다메)
????90, Achasan-ro 33-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Nodame has been serving the Japanese curry for more than 10 years now. One of the first curry restaurants that allow the customers to choose the level in spiciness — 3 levels. Toppings include the chicken breast, shrimp tempura, tonkatsu, croquettes, and more!

3. Osaka Curry Conyu (오사카카레콘유)
????49, Gangnam-daero 160-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Osaka Curry Conyu has a simple menu. You can order the food through kiosk ordering system. Osaka style curry is known to be a bit sweet, spicy, and savory at a time – and this curry restaurant has been praised for such taste!

4. Kerouac (케루악)
????21, Ttukseom-ro 52ma-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
????Instagram @kerouac_curry_ginsberg

Kerouac curry is authentic Japanese curry place where it is pretty hidden in spot. There are 3 curry types : standard Kerouac curry, veggie curry for the vegetarians, and meat curry. The interior is a bar-style, so you can casually interact with the chef!

5. SUAGE K (스아게K)
????7, Wausan-ro 29ra-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
????Instagram @suage_korea

Suake K is a Sapporo-type soup curry restaurant in Seoul. The interior is simple wood-tone. You can choose the portion of the rice and the level of spiciness. If you want to try out something different from regular, thick Japanese curry, try this place!

See below for other Japanese restaurant recommendations. Search before you go to make sure if they are still on a business! ????

• Tokkiya (토키야)
  
  • 1st????21, Donggyo-ro 34-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • 2nd????8, Wiryeseong-daero 2-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea????Instagram @tokkiya_since16
• Karesi (카레시)
  • ????28-17, Dongmak-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • ????Instagram @boyfriend.curry
• Hibi (히비)
  • ????24, Baekbeom-ro 87-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • ????Instagram @hibi.curry.noodle

Try out some instant Korean curry, too!

Get yourself some Korean fast food to try out the Korean style curry food! Quick & easy experience ???? You can buy those from convenient stores and Korean supermarkets!

1. Ottogi 3 Minute Curry

Heat the bag with the curry in a water for about 3 minutes. Or heat the bag for 2 minutes in the microwave (700Watt). Then pour the curry over the rice. Quick Korean curry is here!

2. Nongshim Caguri

Korean style curry ramen noodle. It contains some fish cakes with the shape of raccoon character. Cute!

???? Discussion for Today’s Topic :

Please enjoy a variety of food, experiences, and more when you visit Korea, more than just Korean food. We have so many cuisine types that you can enjoy. Then, what about comparing it to your own city/country’s foreign food experience?

We thought this would be fun way to enjoy the travel. Hope you enjoyed our list! ????

koreanfood – food – kfood – restaurantrecommendation – travel