Daejeon Italian restaurant steak set with ink vongole: Plate

A day for pasta and steak together in Seonhwa-dong

On a day when we wanted to enjoy pasta and steak in one go in Seonhwa-dong, the two of us headed to Plate Seonhwa. We ordered the ₩37,900 steak set, which comes with pasta, flat iron steak, salad, bread, and two bowls of soup. We chose white vongole (clam pasta) for the pasta, paired it with the recommended No. 3 ink spaghetti, and went with flat iron steak for the meat. Rather than choosing pasta and meat separately, it was a balanced way to taste both in one set, and an easy spread for two people to share. With two mains on the table, it also naturally came to mind as a date-meal option in Seonhwa-dong.

An Italian restaurant in Seonhwa-dong near Jungangno Station

Plate Seonhwa is at 30 Jungang-ro 121beon-gil in Seonhwa-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon. It is close to Jungangno Station, so it fits nicely into a route after looking around the Seonhwa-dong alleys and the station area. There can be a wait depending on the time, so it would be best to allow some extra time on weekends or at meal times.

The fun of choosing a fresh-pasta number

What sets Plate apart is its house-made fresh pasta and the option to choose a noodle number to suit the dish. There are fresh and dried pasta options in different shapes and textures, so you can order according to your preference. The menu also notes the sauces that pair well with each noodle and their characteristics, which makes it easy even for a first-time choice. The No. 3 ink spaghetti we chose is a fresh pasta introduced as having deep flavor and a chewy texture. If you pay attention to the type of noodle when looking for fresh pasta in Daejeon, it is an option worth noting.

White vongole with ink spaghetti

We paired the white vongole with ink spaghetti. The black noodles against the bright, clean vongole sauce made the color on the plate stand out, and added to the fun of choosing the pasta. Even with the same dish, the bite can differ depending on the noodle you choose, so I liked being able to refer to the recommended number while ordering. The combination of clam-forward white vongole and chewy ink fresh pasta kept the meal light without becoming monotonous.

A set that includes flat iron steak

For the steak, we chose the standard 220g flat iron steak. Adding meat made a meal for two feel much more substantial than pasta alone. Tasting the white vongole first, then alternating it with the flat iron steak, let us enjoy seafood-focused pasta and meat in one meal. On a day when you want both steak and pasta, it was also convenient to order one set instead of debating between different dishes.

The set also includes salad, bread, and two bowls of soup. Having the salad and soup before or alongside the pasta and steak made the flow of the meal feel natural, and the bread was great with the remaining sauce. One set covers the meal from beginning to end, so it also works well on days when you want to keep ordering simple. According to the menu, the steak set is about 15% cheaper than ordering the items separately, making it easy to gauge the price when two people want to enjoy several elements at once. Our meal came to ₩37,900 with no additional orders.

Potato gnocchi next time

Plate, a well-known spot in Seonhwa-dong, Daejeon, also has potato gnocchi on the menu. If you are looking for something with a soft, comforting texture that differs from fresh pasta, it is worth considering for next time.

It was a well-balanced meal: the fun of choosing house-made fresh pasta, plus flat iron steak, salad, bread, and soup. I recommend Plate's steak set for a day when you are looking for pasta in Seonhwa-dong or want to sit and talk over a meal at an Italian restaurant in Daejeon. It is a good Daejeon dining choice for a date as well as a lunch or dinner plan with a friend.