Dal Offers Exotic but Familiar Indian Dishes

By Bae Ji-sook

Staff Reporter

Ethnic food is now undergoing a boom. First came Mexican, Turkish and Greek and now it's time for Indian. It's not the Japanese-transformed yellow curries, but those with full flavors of herbs and spices with various dishes from India

Restaurant Dal in Gangnam Finance Center in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul, is one of the perfect places to taste ― see, hear and feel ― India. With prices ranging from 18,000 won to 25,000 won, anyone can dine on tandoori (cooked in a traditional Indian clay oven) dishes, curries or yogurt.

All ingredients are imported directly from India, from the tandoor itself to the yogurt. A chef who has worked at a top class hotel cooks 30 curries, 13 tandoori and three yogurt-based dishes. He maintains the Indian flavor yet manages to make it more familiar to the palate.

The restaurant's recommendation is Chicken Tikka Masala, a hot and spicy curry dish done in the Punjabi style. The food is served in small stove to keep it warm and people can choose either rice or naan (Indian style bread) as a side dish. Rarely seen saffron rice or onion naan is also a delight. The spiciness of masala and onion or saffron creates an unusual, yet delightful flavor.

For those who love seafood and sweetness, Jheenga Masala, jumbo prawn with aromatic masala sauce, is the best. All foods are made without artificial sweeteners, and use combinations of 50 natural herbs.