Mimi’s Chūka Diner
Chinese restaurant · Somerville ·
Asian diner serving Japanese-inspired Chinese comfort food
Asian diner serving Japanese-inspired Chinese comfort food
"There comes a time at every afternoon brewery hang, after taking down a hazy IPA or three, that substantial eats are in order. If your hang happens to be at Aeronaut Brewery, you're in luck. Mimi’s Chūka Diner, tucked into the back corner of the space, has been luring hungry drinkers with its classic chrome and red pleather retro decor since it opened in the brewery after a long stint doing pop-ups around the city. photo credit: Caroline Webb photo credit: Caroline Webb photo credit: Caroline Webb photo credit: Caroline Webb Pause Unmute While Mimi's found its permanent home inside a brewery, it's worth a visit whether you're thirsty or not. Chūka is a style of Chinese food served in Japan, which gives a nod to the sweet-leaning Americanized takeout you might be nostalgic for. At Mimi's, this means favorites like kombu marinated Karaage fried chicken with a side of chūka potato salad, a fluffy mound of potatoes with egg, Fuji apple, cucumber, and carrot with a drizzle of chili oil. If you're looking to soak up that Robot Crush pilsner with noodles, get the garlic ones, which bring to mind the lo-mein you know and love with the addition of garlic confit, pickled ginger, meaty mushrooms, and a sprinkle of nori powder. Not in the mood for beer? Mimi’s has wine, sake, and a craft cocktail program as well, featuring our favorite Chu Chara Crusher, a sweet and spicy concoction with mezcal joven, Ancho Reyes Verde, hot sauce, and lime. RESERVE A TABLE" - Catherine Smart
"The co-owners and friends behind a Somerville restaurant and Inman Square fried chicken spot Hot Chix are getting together to host a one-night-only "Boyz of Somer (and also Cambridge)" dinner on Sunday, July 27, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Both restaurants are bringing their A-game with seafood platters, chicken fries, brisket, chashu steak, and fun twists on the daiquiri and whiskey smash to wash it all down." - Erika Adams
"Mimi’s Chūka Diner, a long-running pop-up by co-owners Ted Woo and Jon Awerman that fans followed all around the city for years, has settled into a permanent home inside Somerville’s Aeronaut Brewing. Woo and Awerman have transformed what was once the site of upscale tasting menu spot Tasting Counter into a cheery, classic diner. The space serves as a fun backdrop for Woo and Awerman’s take on chūka ryori, or Japanese adaptations of Chinese food. Don’t miss the crispy veggie gyoza, a hit from the pair’s pop-up days, or the ebi chili, stir-fried shrimp in a zingy chili sauce." - Erika Adams
"A fan-favorite pop-up now settled into Aeronaut Brewing, this diner-style outpost from Ted Woo and Jon Awerman specializes in chūka ryōri—Japanese interpretations of Chinese food—and has transitioned from takeout pop-ups to a full dine-in experience. The team completely redid the former Tasting Counter space into a cheery, casual diner with white and yellow tile accents and cushy red chairs, and longtime followers say the finished concept was well worth the wait." - Erika Adams
"The fan-favorite pop-up that was one of the publication's highly anticipated 2024 openings, now ramping up to full speed inside Aeronaut Brewing Company’s taproom; currently open for takeout with full-service dining to come soon." - Erika Adams
