Mimi’s Chūka Diner Announces Grand Opening at Aeronaut Foods Hub

For Immediate Release 

Media Contacts:

Susan Elsbree, Somernova 

media@somernova.com

617-212-6817

Mimi’s Chūka Diner Announces Grand Opening at Aeronaut Foods Hub at Somernova

Japanese-Adapted Chinese cuisine blended with the American diner concept opens in Somerville

January 30, 2025 – SOMERVILLE – Rafi Properties, Owner and Operator of Somernova, announced that Mimi’s Chūka Diner will celebrate its grand opening today 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 5-10 PM, Friday from 5-11 PM and Saturday from 12-11 PM. Mimi’s will be open for takeout on Sunday through Monday from 12-8:30 PM, Tuesday through Thursday from 12-10 PM, and Friday through Saturday from 12-11 PM. Final food orders must be placed 30 minutes before the restaurant closes. 

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

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About Somernova

Somernova is a mission-driven 7.4 acre hub of innovation and community, helping people and companies grow, iterate, and create a better world, faster. The campus is home to an eclectic mix of pioneering organizations, including Greentown Labs, The Bouldering Project, Form Energy, The Engine by MIT, Aeronaut Brewing, Sublime Systems, Eden Geopower, Commonwealth Fusion, Tank Design, Tender Foods, De-Ice, Fleet Robotics, Transera, Better Future Project, Somerville Bike Kitchen, Somerville Media Center, Riverside Community Care, Carolicious, Mimi’s Chuka Diner, Somerville Chocolate, The Studio for Sculptural Arts, and The Dojo @ Somernova. Somernova is owned and operated by Rafi Properties. For more information, visit somernova.com. 

About Rafi Properties

At Rafi Properties, we believe community is the future. As a next-generation real estate development, ownership and investment company, we are dedicated to driving innovation and empowering change through our global development portfolio. Intentionally designed and thoughtfully programmed from ideation to delivery, our properties foster creativity and enrich the communities around them to drive positive transformation. For more information, visit rafiproperties.com.

About Mimi’s Chūka Diner

Mimi’s Chūka Diner provides good food and good service at affordable prices. Chūka ryōri is a style of cuisine that adapts Chinese dishes to Japanese palates and cooking methods. Mimi’s combines that with traditional American diner influences, resulting in a retro-inspired diner vibe featuring comforting and crave-worthy chūka meals. Our goal is to be a meaningful hub within our community where folks from all walks of life can stop in for a nourishing bite and a friendly face.