# Date-night handmade Italian dinner in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon: THE MUA - By Sian (https://superchart.com/en/@yuseong-meal-pages/) - Written Sep 7, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Seo-gu, Daejeon - Sponsored: This post was written after receiving a store-visit sponsorship. The drinks were provided through a Naver review event. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@yuseong-meal-pages/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@yuseong-meal-pages/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/index.md) ## In short THE MUA is a handmade Italian restaurant in Tanbang-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. Dinner included lobster croquette, fresh hanwoo lasagna and quattro mushroom gnocchi, with wide table spacing that made it easy to focus on conversation. THE MUA is a solid pick for anyone wanting Italian food that's not too rich and easy on the stomach. ## Good to know - **Hours**: 11:00-21:00 (break time 15:00-17:00, last order 20:20) - **Parking**: 3-4 spots beside the restaurant or nearby alley parking - **Seating**: Hall seats 2-6, inner room has two 4-person tables (up to 8), baby chairs available - **Corkage**: ₩10,000 per bottle, free every Thursday - **Ordered**: Lobster croquette ₩9,900 / Fresh hanwoo lasagna ₩19,900 / Quattro mushroom gnocchi ₩16,900 - **Weekday lunch**: Pre-order by phone or Naver Talk Talk by 11:30 the same day *as written by the visitor on Sep 7, 2026* ![Dinner table setting at THE MUA, an Italian restaurant in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-01-8isin-1200.webp) Had dinner at a really nice Italian spot last week 🍝 THE MUA, a new hot place in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon. The owner chef has experience working in Australia and makes everything by hand, so I went in with high expectations. ![Exterior of THE MUA in the Tanbang-dong restaurant alley](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-02-1tqh3-900.webp) ## THE MUA location, hours, and parking It's in the restaurant alley near Tanbang Elementary School — right in front of Origin Tanbang-dong, so it's easy to find. ![THE MUA entrance with business hours sign](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-03-tntqo-900.webp) Daejeon THE MUA - Hours: 11:00 - 21:00 - Break time: 15:00-17:00 - Last order: 20:20 - Parking: beside the restaurant (about 3-4 spots) or nearby alley parking - Baby chairs available - Group seating / private room available - Corkage available: free on Thursdays ![Table layout inside THE MUA's main hall](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-04-1sz0x-900.webp) ![Spacious table seating in THE MUA's main hall](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-05-1j12q-900.webp) ## Why I'd recommend it for a first date The hall has seats for groups of 2 to 6. The tables have generous spacing, which makes it a spot I'd recommend for a Daejeon first date. It's a bit awkward when the table next to you clocks that you're on a date, right ^^ ..? Here the tables are far enough apart that you don't have to worry about that and can just focus on the conversation. ![4-person table in THE MUA's inner private room](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-06-ssdnn-900.webp) ![THE MUA's private room separated from the main hall](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-07-12iq2-900.webp) ### Room for up to 8, good for gatherings too The inner room has two 4-person tables, seating up to 8 people at once. It's separated from the main hall, so it's private. Seems like a good spot for year-end parties or Cheongmo (blue hat / graduation) gatherings too. In the room, other guests were having a get-together with wine — such a warm, cheerful vibe haha. ![Sign explaining THE MUA's weekday lunch pre-order reservations](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-08-1mr0y-900.webp) ## Weekday lunch pre-order reservations On weekdays, you can pre-order lunch for same-day pickup. Reserve by phone or Naver Talk Talk by 11:30 on weekdays and your food will be ready when you arrive, they said. The lunch set even comes with a drink, so you can handle your café stop in the same seat. If you work nearby, put this on your list of Tanbang-dong lunch spots. ![Utensils and table setting at THE MUA](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-09-1ggsz-900.webp) ![QR code ordering sign at THE MUA](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-10-br4u2-900.webp) Orders are placed via QR code ![THE MUA's menu displayed on screen](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-11-1a4xe-900.webp) ## What we ordered and prices - Lobster croquette ₩9,900 - Fresh hanwoo lasagna ₩19,900 - Quattro mushroom gnocchi ₩16,900 When you can't decide between all the dishes you want, ordering the best-seller or signature dish is always a safe bet, right? ![Cold brew drink received through a review event](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-12-1v32o-900.webp) ![Two drinks from THE MUA](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-13-ed9ca-900.webp) Got the drinks through a Naver review event ~~ you can choose between cold brew or ade ## Lobster croquette ![THE MUA's lobster croquette plating](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-14-6ue9c-900.webp) ![Lobster croquette plate topped with a green leaf](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-15-epbux-900.webp) The lobster croquette, listed as the owner's pick No. 1 menu item! Made by hand-picking the meat off boiled lobster to make the croquette. Crispy > moist > savory. The green leaf on top was an ingredient I'd never heard of, but they said it's meant to be eaten together with the croquette. Nothing overpowering, everything worked together. ![Lobster croquette cut in half showing the filling](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-16-1y3ya-900.webp) Even though it's fried, it's not greasy at all and tastes clean, so it's easy to start the meal with, no heaviness ~~ ## Fresh hanwoo lasagna ![A plate of THE MUA's fresh hanwoo lasagna](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-17-p99mr-900.webp) Whoa, this is good. Highly recommend the fresh hanwoo (Korean beef) lasagna. Definitely ordering it again next time. The lasagna sheets were tender, the hanwoo ragu was soft. The subtle tomato sauce hits with a tangy note that made me go wow. Since it's fresh pasta, it just slides right down. Super thin, like dumpling skin, slurp slurp. Cheese bomb ![Cross-section of lasagna packed with cheese and hanwoo ragu](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-18-44ncv-900.webp) Packed with meat too, a really well-made dish. Sounds like the lasagna is a limited menu item and sometimes sells out. You... popular one... no wonder you're different. ## Quattro mushroom gnocchi ![Golden-brown baked quattro mushroom gnocchi](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-19-5wqtc-900.webp) Look at that golden-brown finish ~~ They make the gnocchi dough by hand too, apparently, and the texture is soft and fluffy. ![Close-up of gnocchi in mushroom sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-20-1osrd-900.webp) You get a little bite of mushroom in the sauce with a subtle depth of flavor, kind of like sweet caramel popcorn. I kept scooping it up with my spoon. Total Daejeon gnocchi spot ㅠㅠ ㅋㅋㅋ Next time I'll order the focaccia to dip in the gnocchi or pasta sauce. ## Corkage conditions ![Sign explaining THE MUA's corkage policy](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-21-16k4h-900.webp) ![Wine glasses set on a table at THE MUA](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-22-yf9jy-900.webp) Corkage is ₩10,000 per bottle, free every Thursday. ## Final thoughts ![View of the table at THE MUA after finishing the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua-23-1v40z-900.webp) THE MUA in Tanbang-dong has gotten popular enough by word of mouth that weekend lunch reservations fill up. The food plating was clean and the staff were kind, so I left feeling good about the meal. I love that everything is handmade, and that nothing was over-seasoned — a total win. Sometimes after eating Italian food I have trouble digesting, but here my stomach felt totally fine haha. Recommending this Daejeon Italian restaurant! ## Where it is - THE MUA - 35 Munjeong-ro 122beon-gil, 1st floor, unit 101, Seo-gu, Daejeon, South Korea - 대전광역시 서구 문정로122번길 35 1층 101호 - 36.345113, 127.3930069 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/THE%20MUA/@36.345113,127.3930069,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@yuseong-meal-pages/daejeon-tanbangdong-lasagna-gnocchi-themua/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt