Pasta restaurant in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon: chamnamul vongole, THE MUA

THE MUA

THE MUA hours and how to find it in Tanbang-dong

Daily 11:00–21:00

Break time 15:00–17:00

Last order 20:20

No closed days

I went to THE MUA in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon and wanted to introduce it to you~ It's a casual Italian spot centered on pasta and steak, and rather than being a stuffy, overly formal restaurant, I heard it has an atmosphere that works well for a date, a special meal, or dining out with friends and family, so I went to check it out and I'll tell you all about it~

Inside THE MUA: bright wood tones and a table set for the reservation

Here's the interior~ The overall bright color palette combined with wood tones gave off such a comfortable yet cozy mood~

We had made a reservation, so our table was already set when we arrived~

You order by scanning a QR code~

After we ordered, they brought out pickles~

They also have a baby chair and an apron ready, so if you need them just grab one~

THE MUA menu and prices

Here's the menu~ With pasta, gnocchi, risotto, lasagna, and even steak, it's a wide-ranging lineup so you can try all kinds of things

• Lobster croquettes (2pc) ₩9,900
• Minari (water dropwort) clam pasta ₩16,900
• Quattro mushroom gnocchi ₩19,000

This is what we ordered~

Signature lobster croquettes, 9,900 won for two

The lobster croquettes~ THE MUA's signature menu — the outside is fried crisp with a savory flavor, and it leads into a soft, moist texture inside~

Inside, lobster, shrimp, and potato come together, and you naturally get the subtle sweetness and savory flavor unique to seafood

Rather than the lobster flavor punching through too strongly, the mild sweetness of the shrimp and potato blend in together, making it a dish that's easy for anyone to enjoy without feeling heavy~

What does the chamnamul vongole pasta taste like?

The minari (water dropwort) clam pasta! The savory, fragrant aroma of olive oil and garlic spreads out first, followed by the refreshing, clean umami drawn out of the surf clams filling your mouth~

The noodles hold onto the sauce well while keeping a good bite, and paired with the chewy texture of the clams, it's an even richer experience

The fragrant taste of the minari blends with the savoriness of the garlic and the salty umami of the clams, coming together into a pasta that's clean yet never bland~

Quattro mushroom gnocchi made with ricotta

The quattro mushroom gnocchi~ The first thing you notice with the first bite is the soft, chewy texture of the gnocchi

Since it's made with ricotta rather than regular potato gnocchi, it's even softer and cleaner-tasting, and as you chew you also get a subtle savory note~

With several kinds of mushrooms mixed in, you get the deep aroma and umami unique to mushrooms in full force

Scooping up the gnocchi with the mushroom sauce together, you taste the soft, chewy gnocchi, then the deep mushroom aroma, then the salty cheese in turn — a rich flavor you can enjoy layer by layer in your mouth~

Is THE MUA worth a visit in Daejeon?

35 Munjeong-ro 122beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon, South Korea, 1F

THE MUA in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon is a restaurant where you can enjoy a wide range of Italian dishes — pasta, gnocchi, steak, and more — with real atmosphere, and not just the taste but the menu composition and plating made it a place to enjoy on every level! Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good Italian restaurant in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon!