Rafi Properties, Owner and Operator of Somernova, announced that Mimi’s Chūka Diner celebrated its grand opening in the Aeronaut Foods Hub at Somernova. Designed to be a welcoming neighborhood restaurant, Mimi’s Chūka Diner, founded by local Chefs Ted Woo and Jon Awerman, will bring Japanese-adapted Chinese cuisine (“chūka ryori”) blended with the American diner concept to Somerville.

Woo and Awerman were drawn to the location of the Aeronaut Foods Hub at Somernova because of its direct proximity to Somerville’s vibrant food and beverage community and its broader connectivity to Somernova’s innovation campus. The 38-seat retro diner will offer locals and visitors alike satisfying yet affordable dishes that are further complemented by the welcoming environment.

“We’re excited that our dream of opening a restaurant is finally here, and we’re thrilled to bring our vision for Mimi’s Chūka Diner to the Aeronaut Foods Hub at Somernova,” said Ted Woo and Jon Awerman, Owners of Mimi’s Chūka Diner. “Our goal is to create a welcoming space for the community – to be a neighborhood restaurant where locals, Somernova tenants, and visitors alike can enjoy inventive yet comforting dishes inspired by our combined culinary heritages. We can’t wait to invite our neighbors in and become a part of the vibrant fabric of Somernova and Union Square.”

Mimi’s menu features some standout dishes such as the chūka-inspired Ebi Chili, as well as Karaage and handmade Gyoza, available in either a classic pork or vegan option. Mimi’s diner-inspired menu items include a mouthwatering house-ground burger with Mimi’s own yaki-bbq sauce, a matzo ball wonton soup that warms and nourishes the soul, and perfectly crispy hand-cut fries tossed in “chuka fine herbs.” 

“Mimi’s Chūka Diner brings something special and different to the Aeronaut Foods Hub and will be a great neighborhood restaurant for the Somerville and Somernova community,” said Ronn Friedlander, Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aeronaut Brewing. “Ted and Jon have worked tirelessly to bring their vision for a neighborhood restaurant to life and are an exciting addition to the Aeronaut space.”

“Mimi’s goal of bringing people together through food resonates deeply with our mission to cultivate a collaborative and inspiring place for entrepreneurs,” said Kristin Phelan, Vice President of Real Estate Development for Rafi and Somernova. “We couldn’t be more excited for this addition to our growing ecosystem of innovators and creators and are thrilled to welcome the Mimi’s Chūka Diner team to Somernova.”

Mimi’s is located on the Somernova campus in the Aeronaut Foods Hub at 14 Tyler St. in Somerville, MA, alongside other local food entrepreneurs including Carolicious Venezeulan Food and Somerville Chocolate. The restaurant will be open for dine-in eating Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 12 to 11 p.m. Mimi’s will be open for takeout on Sunday through Monday from 12 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 12 to 10 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 12 to 11 p.m. Final food orders must be placed 30 minutes before the restaurant closes.

For more information on Mimi’s Chūka Diner, please visit mimischukadiner.com.