# Tanbang-dong Western restaurant lunch set: smoky mare pasta, THE MUA - By Rowoon (https://superchart.com/en/@yuseong-rice-map/) - Written Sep 5, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Seo-gu, Daejeon - Sponsored: This post was written after a sponsored visit to the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@yuseong-rice-map/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@yuseong-rice-map/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/index.md) ## In short THE MUA is a handmade Western (European-style) restaurant in Tanbang-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. A married couple whose weekday off finally lined up went for a lunch date and worked through the lunch set — green grape and grapefruit ade, lobster croquette, a salmon dish, and smoky mare pasta. For Western food that is gentle rather than heavy and clearly made with care, THE MUA in Tanbang-dong is the right call. ## Good to know - **Location**: 35 Munjeong-ro 122beon-gil, 1st floor, unit 101, Seo-gu, Daejeon (Tanbang-dong) - **Ordered**: Lunch set (appetizer, lobster croquette, salmon dish, smoky mare pasta), green grape ade, grapefruit ade - **What stands out**: Handmade Western cooking — the chef prepares everything himself, from the sauces to the ingredient prep *as written by the visitor on Sep 5, 2026* ## THE MUA in Tanbang-dong: a handmade Western restaurant for a weekday lunch date THE MUA is a handmade Italian restaurant in Tanbang-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. Wanting a moment to rest from the daily grind, we went looking for a cozy Italian restaurant. ![Exterior of THE MUA, an Italian restaurant in Tanbang-dong](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-01-1ktcu-900.webp) ![THE MUA entrance sign](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-02-1kojb-900.webp) Lately both my husband and I have been swamped with work, barely able to catch a breath. But we finally both had the same day off during the week, so we went out for a leisurely lunch date together. My husband found this place while searching for a cozy, good-atmosphere handmade Italian restaurant, which he loves. Chatting away over good food in such a nice space melted away all the fatigue that had built up. Today I'm introducing the pasta spot in Tanbang-dong where we found the perfect healing 🍝 True to its name — 'mua (無我)' meaning 'no self' — this was a place where you could set aside your busy thoughts, put down the weight of everyday life, and fully enjoy warm food and a comfortable atmosphere. 🫧 ## What is the atmosphere like inside THE MUA? THE MUA's interior and lighting were cozy, perfectly suited to a relaxed lunch. It was a comfortable, warm space for a Tanbang-dong lunch. ![Interior of THE MUA with warm lighting](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-03-sy3ab-900.webp) ![THE MUA indoor table seating](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-04-1yae6-900.webp) ![Cozy interior atmosphere at THE MUA](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-05-w36kv-900.webp) ![Lighting and decor at THE MUA](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-06-r97dm-900.webp) The interior and lighting felt so warm the moment we walked in. The calm mood made it perfect for chatting over a leisurely meal. If you're looking for a proper lunch or a date spot near Tanbang-dong, this is it. 💯👍🏻 ![Table setting at THE MUA](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-07-us2uh-900.webp) ![THE MUA handmade Italian menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-08-na75v-900.webp) ![THE MUA lunch set information](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-09-wdsbo-900.webp) THE MUA's biggest appeal is that every dish is handmade. Instead of using store-bought products, the chef prepares everything himself, from the sauces to ingredient prep, which had us excited going in. 🤩 I ordered the lunch set for its generous composition, and every single dish felt made with care — I was thoroughly satisfied throughout the meal. ## What comes in the THE MUA lunch set? Appetizer, green grape ade and grapefruit ade THE MUA's lunch set opens with a refreshing appetizer and ades. The sweet-tart green grape and the slightly bitter, crisp grapefruit lifted the palate right away. Pretty colors, nice and cool — great to sip between bites throughout the meal. 🍸 ![Green grape ade and grapefruit ade](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-10-1vs2r-900.webp) ![Lunch set appetizer plate](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-11-gmtc3-900.webp) ### Lobster croquette at THE MUA Next came the lobster croquette, and it was genuinely impressive! 🦞 Crispy on the outside, packed inside with rich lobster flavor and soft filling. Being handmade, it wasn't greasy at all — light yet crisp-outside, tender-inside perfection. ![Crispy-fried lobster croquette](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-12-p4uv1-900.webp) ![Cross-section of the lobster croquette](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-13-qvmzk-900.webp) ![Plated lobster croquette at THE MUA](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-14-1nkzq-900.webp) ![Close-up of the lobster croquette](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-15-11v6y-900.webp) ![A bite of the handmade lobster croquette](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-16-1ugji-900.webp) ![Course dishes from THE MUA's lunch set](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-17-snomd-900.webp) ![Lunch set plate and table](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-18-1s9em-900.webp) ### The salmon dish The salmon dish that followed was freshness itself. The tender texture of the salmon paired beautifully with a bright dressing, giving the meal a clean start. The natural flavor of the ingredients really came through, filling the mouth with freshness. 🍃 ![Salmon dish with a bright dressing](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-19-3l3pe-900.webp) ## Smoky mare pasta: why THE MUA is a Tanbang-dong pasta favorite The smoky mare pasta arrived. Its generous seafood visuals caught our eyes immediately. I understood at once why it's known as a top pasta dish in Tanbang-dong. ‼️👍🏻 The handmade sauce soaked deep into the noodles, so every bite carried rich flavor. Loaded generously with fresh seafood, it had great texture too, boosting the pasta's savoriness even more. I enjoyed every bite down to the last without getting tired of it. 👍🏻 ![Smoky mare pasta loaded with seafood](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-20-10xvp-900.webp) ![Pasta noodles with handmade sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-21-1bu31-900.webp) ![Close-up of seafood in the smoky mare pasta](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-22-n1d9b-900.webp) ![Full spread of THE MUA's lunch set](https://img.superchart.com/images/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta-23-xmmky-1200.webp) ## Final verdict on THE MUA in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon THE MUA was a place where we could deeply feel the appeal of handmade dishes made with real sincerity by the chef. From the salmon dish to the crispy lobster croquette, the smoky mare pasta, and the refreshing ades, the lunch set's composition and balance were perfect. 💯 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you're in Tanbang-dong and want Italian food that's gentle, not overpowering, and full of care, I definitely recommend giving this place a visit! ## 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-rice-map/the-mua-tanbang-lunch-set-smoky-mare-pasta/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt