Namaste Dongmyo: Indian Curry Across from Dongdaemun Toy Street

We found Namaste Dongmyo almost by accident. We had just finished a keycap-making session at Pyeonghwa Market in Dongdaemun and thought about eating right there, but decided to walk a little further so we could also look around the Dongdaemun toy street. That walk led us here.

The location turned out to be the best part of the plan. The restaurant sits right opposite the toy street, so we had lunch first and went straight to the toy shops afterward without any backtracking. If you are spending a day around Dongmyo’s flea markets or the toy street, it slots in very neatly.

Quick facts

Finding it

Take the subway to Dongmyo Station and use Exit 5. Naver says the restaurant is only about 29 m from the exit, in the building just in front of you. The one catch is that it is on the second floor, so it is easy to walk past if you only scan the shopfronts at street level. Look up for the red Namaste sign, and follow the yellow “2F” signs at the entrance.

📍 Namaste Dongmyo (나마스테 동묘점), 2F, 18 Jibong-ro, Jongno-gu · Naver Map · Google Maps

Walking in, I was surprised by how neat everything was. It did not match the image I usually have of an Indian restaurant. The tables were set like a classic Korean-style Western restaurant, and the plates and cutlery were genuinely pretty, which also made the food look great in photos. Most importantly for us, it felt easy to sit there with the kids.

What we ordered

For the table we ordered chicken tikka masala, chicken butter curry, chaumin (Nepali stir-fried noodles), a butter naan, a garlic naan, a bowl of plain rice and a mango sweet lassi. We did not leave a single thing behind.

1. Chicken tikka masala (치킨 티카 마살라, chikin tika masalla)

My first spoonful was spicier than I expected, in a good way. The chicken inside was so tender that it split with a light press of the spoon. The curry tasted clean, with no off flavors, and that steady heat made it very easy to keep eating.

It was even better wrapped in garlic naan. The toasty, nutty bread and the gentle garlic aroma softened the masala’s kick perfectly. If you order one combination here, make it this one.

2. Chicken butter curry (치킨버터커리, chikin beoteo keori)

We ordered this one so the kids would have something easy to eat, but it ended up being my personal favorite of the day. The sweetness from the onions blends into the curry and gives it a smooth, rich flavor. It is not spicy at all, so the kids mixed it into naan and rice and ate happily. If you do not handle spice well, or you are visiting with children, put this on your order.

3. Chaumin (차우민, chaumin)

Chaumin is a Nepali-style fried noodle dish. There were far more vegetables in it than I expected, and the noodles were nicely cooked and tossed in a spicy sauce. It is a little oily, so after a while it starts to feel heavy, but a bite of the tikka masala in between resets your palate. Going back and forth between the two was half the fun. The portion is generous and easy to share.

4. Mango sweet lassi (망고 스위트 라씨, manggo seuwiteu rassi)

This was a little reward for the kids after they ate well. Lassi is a yogurt-based drink, so it is soft and gentle rather than sharp, and it is perfect after spicy curry. The kids loved it.

Menu and prices

Dish	Price
Chicken tikka masala 치킨 티카 마살라	₩13,500 ~$9.60
Chicken butter curry 치킨버터커리	₩13,500 ~$9.60
Palak paneer (spinach and cheese curry) 팔락파니르	₩13,500 ~$9.60
Chaumin (Nepali fried noodles) 차우민	₩10,000 ~$7.10
Garlic naan / Butter naan 마늘 난 / 버터 난	₩3,000 ~$2.10
Plain rice 기본 밥	₩1,500 ~$1.10
Indian thali (1-person set) 인디안탈리	₩15,000 ~$10.70
Couple set (for 2) 커플세트(2인)	₩50,000 ~$35.70
Tandoori chicken (whole) 탄두리치킨	₩18,000 ~$12.90
Lamb biryani 양고기 브리야니	₩14,000 ~$10
Samosa (2 pcs) 사모사	₩5,000 ~$3.60

*USD figures are rough estimates at about ₩1,400 to $1. Prices come from Naver Place (menu updated July 2026) and the printed menu at our visit; the lassi price is not listed on Naver. Prices can change.

Tips for visitors

• Look up. The restaurant is on the second floor, so check the signs above street level.
• Mix your naan. If you order two or more curries, get different naan, like butter and garlic, and find the best match for each curry.
• Balance the heat. Pair the spicier tikka masala with the mild butter curry, especially with kids at the table.
• Plan around the toy street. It is right across the road, so lunch here and shopping there work well back to back.
• Parking. On weekends, head for the paid public lot at Changsin 1-dong Community Center; the subway is easier.
• Ordering phrase: “Igeo juseyo” (이거 주세요) means “This one, please.” Pointing at the photo menu works fine.

Is it kid-friendly?

Yes, in our experience. The room is calm and comfortable, the mild chicken butter curry went down easily with naan and rice, and the mango lassi was a hit. Skip the tikka masala for little ones, since it has real heat.

My verdict

The curries were clean, the naan came out freshly baked and warm, and above all we could eat comfortably with the kids. If you are craving Indian food near Dongmyo Station, or planning a family outing to the Dongdaemun toy street, Namaste Dongmyo is well worth the stop.

Namaste Dongmyo FAQ

Where is Namaste Dongmyo?

Namaste Dongmyo is on the second floor of 18 Jibong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Naver puts it about 29 m from Exit 5 of Dongmyo Station (Lines 1 and 6), right across from the Dongdaemun stationery and toy street.

What are Namaste Dongmyo’s opening hours?

Naver lists Namaste Dongmyo as open every day from 11:00 to 22:00, with last order at 21:00.

Is the curry at Namaste Dongmyo spicy?

It depends on the dish. The chicken tikka masala at Namaste Dongmyo was spicier than I expected, while the chicken butter curry is mild, creamy and slightly sweet, so it suits kids and anyone who avoids heat.

What should I order at Namaste Dongmyo?

For two to four people, I would get the chicken tikka masala (₩13,500), the chicken butter curry (₩13,500), the chaumin noodles (₩10,000), a garlic naan and a butter naan (₩3,000 each), plus a mango sweet lassi to cool things down.

Is Namaste Dongmyo good for kids?

It was for us. The dining room is calm and tidy, the chicken butter curry is not spicy, and our kids happily ate it with naan and rice, then finished a mango sweet lassi. Being opposite the toy street is a bonus.

More family-friendly meals: try Hyunsuni in Yongsan for tteokbokki, or Sammi Tantanmyeon in Sinchon for honey chashu lo mein. See all kid-friendly restaurant guides and Seoul restaurant guides.

Visited: September 2026. Prices and hours last checked: October 19, 2026, on Naver. Please check Naver Map before you go.

This post is based on my own visit and photos. I used AI tools to help with the English wording.