Tag: Jongno-gu

Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno: Thick-Cut Sushi Lunch by Jonggak Station

In short

Choi Woo Young Sushiya (최우영스시야) Jongno is a casual sushi restaurant in a basement arcade, about 3 to 5 minutes from Jonggak Station Exit 1. The 15-piece special sushi set is ₩19,000 (about $13.60), with thick slices of fish over modest rice. Open daily 11:00 to 21:30, break 15:00 to 17:00. A good pick for a solo lunch, or anyone who cares more about the fish than the rice.

Jonggak is a busy office district in old downtown Seoul, and lunch options there can blur together. On one weekday I went to Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno for sushi, and the thing I still remember is how thick the fish was.

Here is what I ordered, the current prices, one thing I wish I had known, and how to find it from the station.

Quick facts

Korean name최우영스시야 종로점 (Choi Woo Young Sushiya, Jongno branch)
AddressB1 Unit 104, 7 Jong-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 종로5길 7 지하1층 104호
SubwayJonggak Station (종각역, Line 1), Exit 1, about 235 m (3 to 5 min walk); Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Exit 2, about 7 min
HoursDaily 11:00–21:30; break 15:00–17:00; last order 21:00
PriceSushi sets ₩13,000–33,000; single pieces ₩1,000–3,000; tempura ₩1,500 each
Good forSolo lunch, a quick sushi meal near Gwanghwamun and Jonggak, small groups
Phone0507-1324-8219
NotesFree parking for 2 hours. Takeout (separate kiosk) and delivery. Wheelchair-accessible entrance, seats and restroom. Corkage ₩3,000 per bottle. No pets.
MapOpen in Naver Map

Finding it

I walked over from Jonggak Station. The restaurant is on the basement level of a building on Jong-ro 5-gil, so head downstairs once you reach the building. Naver puts it about 235 m from Exit 1, a 3 to 5 minute walk. If you are coming from Gwanghwamun, Exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station is about 7 minutes away.

📍 Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno (최우영스시야 종로점), B1, 7 Jong-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu · Naver Map · Google Maps

Storefront of Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno with menu photos above the entrance in a basement arcade near Jonggak Station — The entrance, with photos of the menu over the counter.

I came at weekday lunchtime and got a seat right away without waiting. There is also a separate kiosk just for takeout sushi, so if you only want a box to take back to the office or your hotel, you can order there without joining the dine-in line. Sushi by kiosk felt very Seoul.

Red takeout-only sushi ordering kiosk at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — The takeout-only sushi kiosk.

Inside: clean and easy to eat alone

The room is plain and tidy, with no clutter, and the seats are spaced out rather than squeezed together. There is a long counter facing a wall of plants, plus tables for groups. I had my sushi lunch there on my own and did not feel out of place at all, so if you are traveling solo and want a proper sit-down meal, this is an easy one.

Counter seats with ordering screens and a wall of green plants at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Counter seats facing a wall of plants.

What I ordered

1. Special sushi set (특선초밥, teukseon chobap)

I started with the special sushi set, 15 pieces, and the quality was better than I expected for the price. The slices of fish are thick, and the rice under them is a sensible size, so you actually taste the fish instead of a mouthful of rice. A lot of lunch sushi places pile on the rice; this one gets the balance right.

What I liked most was the variety on one plate: white fish, red fish like tuna, salmon and more, so every next piece was a little different. When a set repeats the same few fish it gets boring halfway through, but here I kept wondering what the next one would taste like. With the thick cuts on top of that, it felt like very good value.

Thick slice of tuna nigiri lifted with chopsticks at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — A thick slice of tuna on modest rice.

One thing to know: there is no wasabi inside the sushi. You add it yourself, and it seemed to be freshly grated wasabi, which is much sharper than the paste you may be used to. Even a small dab made my eyes water. Start with a tiny bit and work up.

Nigiri dipped in soy sauce with a small dab of fresh wasabi on top at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Add the wasabi yourself, and go easy at first.

2. Assorted sashimi (모둠사시미, modum sashimi)

The sashimi came out in thick, chunky slices, so it was a different kind of fun from the sushi, with more bite. The salmon went really well with the onion and sauce served alongside it. The shredded radish salad and seaweed, dipped in chojang (a sweet, tangy red pepper sauce), were crunchy and had no fishy taste at all.

Assorted sashimi platter with salmon, white fish, tuna and lemon at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Assorted sashimi.

Thick cuts of salmon and white fish sashimi with sprouts at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Thick cuts of salmon and white fish.

3. King prawn tempura (왕새우튀김, wang-saeu twigim)

The size surprised me. It is not a small prawn hiding in a thick coat of batter; the prawn itself is big. It was nutty and not greasy. If you only add one side, make it this one.

Two large king prawn tempura with dipping sauce at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — King prawn tempura.

4. Udon (우동)

I wanted something with broth, so I added udon without expecting much, and it turned out to be good. It comes topped with seaweed and other garnishes, the broth is clean and light, and the noodles are springy. The hot soup next to cold sushi was a nice contrast, and I was glad I ordered it.

Udon in clear broth topped with seaweed, fried tofu and green onion at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Udon with seaweed and fried tofu.

Menu and prices

Dish	Price
Assorted sushi, 12 pieces 모듬초밥 12ps	₩13,000 ~$9.30
Special sushi, 15 pieces 특선초밥 15ps	₩19,000 ~$13.60
Premium sushi, 16 pieces 최상초밥 16ps	₩27,000 ~$19.30
Top premium sushi, 17 pieces 극상초밥 17ps	₩33,000 ~$23.60
Seared beef brisket sushi, 5 pieces 차돌박이 불초밥 5ps	₩9,500 ~$6.80
Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) 카이센동	₩14,000–25,000 ~$10–17.90
Assorted sashimi 모듬사시미	₩40,000 ~$28.60
Special sashimi 특선사시미	₩70,000 ~$50
Salmon, flatfish or tuna sashimi (100 g) 연어 / 광어 / 참다랑어 사시미	₩11,000 ~$7.90
King prawn tempura (1 piece) 왕새우튀김 1개	₩1,500 ~$1.10
Assorted tempura 모듬튀김	₩13,000 ~$9.30
Braised sea bream head 도미머리조림	₩6,000 ~$4.30

*USD figures are rough estimates at about ₩1,400 to $1. Prices are from Naver Place (menu updated July 2026). Single pieces of sushi are ₩1,000 to ₩3,000 each on the menu board in my August photos. The udon I had is not on the Naver menu or that board, so check the price when you order. Prices can change.

Tips for visitors

Mind the break time. The kitchen closes from 15:00 to 17:00 every day, and last orders are at 21:00.
Don’t double up on fish. The special sushi and the assorted sashimi share a lot of the same fish. I still liked the sashimi for its thickness and texture, but if you want variety, add tempura or udon instead.
Go slow with the wasabi. It is not inside the sushi, and it is strong.
Taking it to go? Use the takeout-only kiosk and skip the dine-in queue.
Ordering phrase: “Teukseon chobap hana juseyo” (특선초밥 하나 주세요) means “One special sushi set, please.”
Driving? Naver lists 2 hours of free parking.

My verdict

Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno is an honest, good-value sushi lunch in the middle of the city. The fish is cut thick, the rice does not get in the way, and the special set has enough variety that you never get bored. My one complaint is the overlap between the sushi and sashimi, which is worth knowing before you order both. It suits solo diners, people who rate sushi by the fish rather than the rice, and anyone who likes to set their own wasabi level. I will probably stop by again.

Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno FAQ

Where is Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno and how do I get there?

Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno is on the basement level (B1, unit 104) of 7 Jong-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu. It is about 235 m from Exit 1 of Jonggak Station on Line 1, a 3 to 5 minute walk. From Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Exit 2, it takes about 7 minutes on foot.

What are the opening hours of Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno?

Naver lists Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno as open every day from 11:00 to 21:30, with a break from 15:00 to 17:00 and last orders at 21:00. Plan lunch before 3 pm or dinner after 5 pm.

What should I order at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno?

The special sushi set (teukseon chobap, 15 pieces, ₩19,000) is the one I would start with at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno, because the fish is cut thick and the rice is kept modest. A king prawn tempura (₩1,500 each) is the side I would add. If you also order assorted sashimi (₩40,000), know that many of the fish overlap with the sushi set.

Is Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno good for eating alone?

Yes. Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno has a long counter as well as tables, the seating is not cramped, and eating sushi on my own there at lunch felt completely normal. There is also a separate kiosk just for takeout sushi orders.

Does Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno have parking or takeout?

Naver says Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno offers 2 hours of free parking, plus takeout and delivery. Takeout sushi can be ordered at a separate takeout-only kiosk, so you skip the line. Corkage is ₩3,000 per bottle.

More in Jongno: Namaste in Dongmyo for Indian curry, or Respirer Bakery Cafe in Seochon for salt bread. For Japanese food in Seongsu, see Kosi. All guides: Seoul restaurant guides.

More places nearby

Visited: August 2026. Prices and hours last checked: October 26, 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.

October 26, 2026

Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon: Salt Bread, Basil Ciabatta and a Sunny Second Floor

In short

Respirer Bakery Cafe (레스피레베이커리카페) is a two-story bakery cafe in Seochon, about a 13-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 3. Its signature salt bread is ₩3,000 (about $2.10), and it opens 08:30 to 18:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 19:00 on weekends. Good for a slow coffee break between palace visits, or anyone who likes simple, not-too-salty bread in a sunny room.

Seochon, the old neighborhood on the west side of Gyeongbokgung Palace, is full of narrow lanes and small cafes. On a weekend afternoon a friend and I went to Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon for coffee and bread.

The name comes from the French for “to breathe,” and the cafe calls itself a space for resting. Here is what we ordered, what it costs now, and a few things to know before you walk over.

Quick facts

Korean name레스피레베이커리카페 서촌 (Respirer Bakery Cafe, Seochon)
Address40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 효자로13길 40-7 레스피레
SubwayGyeongbokgung Station (경복궁역, Line 3), Exit 3, about 865 m (13-minute walk)
HoursMon–Fri 08:30–18:00 (last order 17:30); Sat–Sun 09:00–19:00 (last order 18:30)
PriceSalt bread ₩3,000; coffee ₩5,500–8,000; brunch plates ₩9,000–19,500
Good forA coffee and bread break, catching up with a friend, reading alone by a window
Phone0507-1345-0473
NotesNo parking (nearest: Singyo Public Parking, 260 m). Takeout, reservations, group seating, Wi-Fi, terrace. Pets allowed.
MapOpen in Naver Map

Finding it

Respirer sits in the quiet top end of Seochon, close to Cheong Wa Dae. We followed the map and got there on the first try without any wrong turns. The white wooden building with a cream awning and a big “Respirer Bakery Cafe” sign is easy to spot once you are on the right lane.

From Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 3, the cafe’s own directions say to walk about 7 minutes toward the Kyunghee clinic building, turn into the alley at the 7-Eleven, and keep to the lane on the left side of the Cheong Wa Dae parking lot. The whole walk takes around 13 minutes. If you would rather ride, buses 1711, 7018, 7022 and 1020 stop in front of the LG building near Exit 3; get off at Hyoja-dong (효자동) and walk about 5 minutes.

📍 Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon (레스피레베이커리카페 서촌), 40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu · Naver Map · Google Maps

White wooden two-story building of Respirer Bakery Cafe in Seochon with a cream awning and tall glass doors — The white two-story building, with the bakery sign on the right.

Window board at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon listing signature menu items and opening hours — The window board lists the signature menu and opening hours.

Inside: bread smell and a sunny second floor

The moment we opened the door, the warm, nutty smell of baking bread hit us. It seemed like they were baking batches throughout the day. Honestly, that smell alone made me glad we came in, and when I choose a bakery, that first impression counts for a lot.

The cafe says its dough rests for 12 hours at a low temperature and is baked every morning for same-day sale. The bread sits on wooden shelves with handwritten cards, and the tongs hang right by the racks.

Wooden bread shelves and price cards inside Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon — Bread shelves on the first floor.

Fresh salt bread rolls and chocolate cookie salt bread on cooling racks at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon — Salt bread on the top rack and cookie salt bread below.

The building looks like a converted house, with warm wood tones throughout. It goes up to a second floor, so there is more room than you would expect from outside. My favorite part was upstairs: sunlight pours in, and sitting by the window you really feel the slow, easy pace of Seochon. Most of the photogenic seats are up there too.

The tables are not crammed together, so it is comfortable for a long chat with a friend. It would also suit someone coming alone with a book.

Wooden table and bentwood chairs under a water lily painting at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon — One of the seating areas, warm wood and a big painting.

Long wooden window counter looking out over the street at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon — A long window counter, nice for sitting alone.

What we ordered

We picked an iced americano, a salt bread and a basil ciabatta. I also wanted to try the French toast, but on a weekend afternoon it was already sold out.

1. Iced americano (아이스 아메리카노, aiseu amerikano)

The coffee won me over first. Bakeries sometimes serve forgettable coffee, but this americano was good enough to enjoy on its own. Naver describes the beans as nutty, like almond and cashew, with a chocolatey note.

2. Salt bread (소금빵, sogeum-ppang)

Salt bread is a buttery roll baked with a sprinkle of coarse salt on top, and it is the house signature here. The cafe says it is made with plenty of French gourmet butter. Respirer gets the basics right. The nutty smell that greeted us at the door carried straight into the taste, and it was not too salty, so it was easy to eat.

Golden salt bread roll topped with flaky salt at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon — The salt bread, with flakes of salt on top.

3. Basil ciabatta (바질 치아바타, bajil chiabata)

This was the surprise. I picked it without much expectation, but the basil comes through gently instead of overpowering everything. The chewy ciabatta and its creamy filling blend naturally with the basil, and the flavor feels refined without being heavy. It stayed with me longer than the salt bread did, and my friend kept reaching for it too.

Basil ciabatta topped with pesto and roasted tomatoes at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon — The basil ciabatta.

Inside of the basil ciabatta showing a soft, creamy filling at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon — Inside the basil ciabatta.

Ordering both works well: you can switch between the plain, buttery salt bread and the herby ciabatta, which keeps each bite interesting.

Menu and prices

Dish	Price
Salt bread 소금빵	₩3,000 ~$2.10
Cookie salt bread (shelf card, Aug 2026) 쿠키소금빵	₩5,000 ~$3.60
Americano 아메리카노	₩5,500 ~$3.90
Respirer latte (signature, barley latte) 레스피레라떼	₩6,500 ~$4.60
Caramel crème / Einspänner 카라멜크렘 / 아인슈페너	₩6,500 ~$4.60
Omelet ciabatta 오믈렛	₩9,000 ~$6.40
Jambon, cucumber dill or fig sandwich 잠봉 / 오이 딜 / 무화과 샌드위치	₩10,500 ~$7.50
Garlic butter shrimp (salt bread sandwich) 갈릭버터쉬림프	₩13,500 ~$9.60
French toast 프렌치토스트	₩17,500 ~$12.50
Respirer toast (brunch plate) 레스피레토스트	₩19,500 ~$13.90

*USD figures are rough estimates at about ₩1,400 to $1. Prices are from Naver Place (menu updated October 2026), except the cookie salt bread, which comes from the shelf card in my August photo. The basil ciabatta is not listed on Naver, so check the card on the shelf. Prices can change.

Tips for visitors

Go in the morning for the French toast. Popular items seem to run out by weekend afternoon, and seats are probably easier earlier too.
Head upstairs. The second floor gets the best light and the nicest window seats.
Don’t drive if you can avoid it. The lot in front is not for customers. Singyo Public Parking is about 260 m away.
Ordering phrase: “Sogeum-ppang hana, aiseu amerikano hana juseyo” (소금빵 하나, 아이스 아메리카노 하나 주세요) means “One salt bread and one iced americano, please.”
Pair it with a walk. It is a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace, so it fits nicely into a palace and Seochon afternoon.
Dogs are welcome. Naver lists the cafe as pet-friendly, and there is a terrace.

My verdict

Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon is the kind of place I would recommend to anyone whose mood lifts at the smell of fresh bread. The salt bread is reliable, the americano is better than it needs to be, and the basil ciabatta was the quiet star. Add a bright second floor where you can sit for a long time, and it is an easy pick in Seochon. There are lots of breads to choose from, so it is also fun with a few people sharing. My only regret is missing the French toast, so next time I am going early to order it.

Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon FAQ

Where is Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon and how do I get there?

Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon is at 40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, in the quiet northern part of Seochon just below Cheong Wa Dae. From Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) it is about 865 m, roughly a 13-minute walk. You can also take bus 1711, 7018, 7022 or 1020 to the Hyoja-dong stop and walk about 5 minutes.

What are the opening hours of Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon?

Naver lists Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon as open 08:30 to 18:00 on weekdays (last order 17:30) and 09:00 to 19:00 on Saturdays and Sundays (last order 18:30). The cafe says bread and brunch are ready from 9:00.

What should I order at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon?

The salt bread is the house signature at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon and costs ₩3,000. I would pair it with the basil ciabatta, which ended up being our favorite, and an americano (₩5,500). If you come early, the French toast (₩17,500) is the brunch dish people try to catch.

Is there parking at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon?

Naver says Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon has no parking of its own, and the lot right in front of the building belongs to the Presidential Security Service, so customers cannot use it. The nearest alternative is Singyo Public Parking at 89 Jahamun-ro, about 260 m away. Public transport is easier.

Does the French toast sell out at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon?

It did for us. We visited Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon on a weekend afternoon and the French toast was already sold out. If it is the main reason you are going, aim for the morning, when seating is also likely to be easier.

Exploring more of Jongno? Try Namaste in Dongmyo for Indian curry near the flea market. See all Seoul restaurant guides.

More places nearby

Visited: August 2026. Prices and hours last checked: October 23, 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.

October 23, 2026

Namaste Dongmyo: Indian Curry Across from Dongdaemun Toy Street

In short

Namaste Dongmyo (나마스테 동묘점) is a second-floor Indian and Nepali restaurant about 29 m from Dongmyo Station Exit 5 (Lines 1 and 6), directly across from the Dongdaemun toy street. Curries such as chicken tikka masala cost ₩13,500 (about $9.60), naan is ₩3,000, and it is open 11:00–22:00 every day. A relaxed pick for families, curry fans and anyone exploring Dongmyo and Dongdaemun.

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

Korean name나마스테 동묘점 (Namaste, Dongmyo branch)
Address2F, 18 Jibong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 지봉로 18 2층
SubwayDongmyo Station (동묘앞역, Lines 1 and 6), Exit 5, about 29 m
HoursDaily 11:00–22:00, last order 21:00
PriceCurries ₩13,000–14,000 (about $9–10), naan ₩2,500–7,000, thali set ₩15,000, couple set ₩50,000
Good forFamilies with kids, curry lovers, lunch before or after the toy street or Dongmyo flea market
Phone02-2232-2286
NotesReservations, group seating and takeout available. Free parking in the building lot on weekdays when there is space; on weekends use the paid public lot at Changsin 1-dong Community Center (about 110 m). No pets.
MapOpen in Naver Map

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

Red Namaste restaurant sign on the second floor of a building near Dongmyo-ap Station — Look up: the restaurant is on the second floor.

Yellow Namaste Restaurant signs pointing to the second floor at Dongmyo — Yellow signs at street level point you up to 2F.

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.

Wood-paneled dining room with set tables inside Namaste Dongmyo — A tidy, wood-paneled dining room.

Colorful Indian tapestry wall above booth seating at Namaste Dongmyo — Colorful textiles on the walls add an Indian touch.

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.

Garlic naan dipped in chicken tikka masala at Namaste Dongmyo — Garlic naan and tikka masala: the pairing I would order again.

Basket of freshly baked naan with curry on the side at Namaste Dongmyo — The naan arrived freshly baked and still warm.

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.

Creamy chicken butter curry in an oval white dish at Namaste Dongmyo — Chicken butter curry: mild, creamy and my top pick.

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.

Nepali-style chowmein stir-fried noodles with vegetables at Namaste Dongmyo — Chaumin, packed with vegetables.

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.

Tall glass of mango sweet lassi with straws at Namaste Dongmyo — Mango sweet lassi to finish.

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.

More places nearby

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.

October 19, 2026