• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Wok Star Eleanor Hoh

Be a Wok Star!

  • Home
  • About
    • Press
    • Partners/Sponsors
  • Shop
    • Wok Star Amazon Store
    • Wok-Set
  • Experiences
    • Wok Star Supper Club
  • Blog/Reviews
  • Resources
    • Tips
    • Asian Markets in Miami
    • Asian Markets in Broward
    • Videos
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

blog

New Upscale MiMi Chinese Perfects Regional Chinese Cuisine Favorites!

January 17, 2025 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

New Upscale MiMi Chinese Perfects Regional Chinese Cuisine Favorites! Choosing MiMi Chinese to celebrate our anniversary was the best decision ever.  It had all the elements we enjoy about dining out…it’s new (opened Dec.21, 2024), it’s got beautiful ambiance, quality food, excellent service, low music and an extra bonus, a little theatrical presentation.

Beautiful red plush sofas and banquettes set the scene!

Started by cofounder and Culinary Director, Chef David Schwartz and Executive Chef Braden Chong. The first Mimi Chinese opened in Toronto, Canada under Big Hug Hospitality Group and was an immediate success. Their decision to open sister restaurant, also called MiMi Chinese at a very iconic Firestone location in South Beach shows they have what it takes to open a restaurant! Don’t be tfooled by a very unassuming entrance with a neon MiMi sign and lush plants.

Unassuming entrance

We got the VIP treatment, thanks to the adorable Freya, their Operations Manager who I met at a Sake event.

Wok Star Eleanor And Freya, Mimi’s Operations Manager

DECOR
You’ll immediately notice a very glamorous and stylish room anchored by red, plush velvety sofas and banquettes against a back wall with contrasting black chairs. The wall murals were lit up and looked like an illustration of birds. The whole design of the long room was very well laid out. It appears to be one of the bays of the Firestone tire shop and what a transformation.

AMBIANCE 
The muted lighting creates an intimate surrounding which is very South Beach. Happy to report the music was low enough so we didn’t have to shout at each other.

Popular bar area

Here’s link to Instagram videos of Chef Braden explaining the dishes and theatrical presentation for Four Foot Noodle Belt!

PERFECTING POPULAR CHINESE FAVORITES
Executive Chef Braden Chong greeted us with an Amuse Bouche (watch video) and also returned several times to explain the dishes.

Amuse Bouche

Shrimp Toast (Guandong, woohoo, where I was born!) This was the best I’ve ever tasted and definitely a MUST order appetizer.

THE BEST SHRIMP TOAST!

Freya sent over Shrimp Toast and Chef Braden brought us Ginger and Scallion Scallop and as Braden says, “reimagine it in Mimi style!” Watch videos on all three explanations.

I love that they served food from different regions like Northern China with more spicy food from Sichuan to Japanese food where Braden had worked at several restaurants.

The dishes I ordered were…

Crossed Arm Chicken Dumplings (Sichuan) nice and al denté with roasted sesame, special soy sauce and red oil.
Very tender, Stir Fried Lamb Leg (Xinjiang) with Chinese Celery, Onion, Green Peppers, Cumin, Cilantro.

And the theatrical presentation, Four Foot Noodle Belt (Sichuan) with grass fed beef, black sesame and long beans. Our lovely server, Hayleigh insisted on bringing Smashed Cucumbers to balance out the spicy Noodle Belt, but we were fine with the level of spiciness. She did a wonderful job (watch video) and of course I discover we have mutual friends.

Smashed Cucumbers with Black Fungus

The service was impeccable, so well trained. The first time I’ve ever experienced serving utensils with spoon and fork automatically laid out on our table whether we had sauce or not! It’s a pet peeve of mine when there’s sauce and not provided a spoon, then wait for it to be brought and the food is not piping hot.

Ended with a very special soft serve swirl with mochi and peanuts (watch video)

What a special and spectacular Anniversary dinner, thank you MiMi!

CONCLUSION
I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect from MiMi Chinese. We are lucky to have MiMi in Miami as there’s not many good Chinese restaurants. I’ve mentioned I’m working on a roundup of Asian restaurants I like in Miami and beyond, stay tuned.

ENJOY! 

Do share in comments what dishes you had there and your POV or if you’re going to visit MiMi?

Filed Under: Asian themed restaurants, blog Tagged With: "Miami Asian food", "Miami restaurant review", "Miami restaurant"

BEST SO FAR: Phuc Yea x Wok Star Supper Club 

November 20, 2024 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

My recent Wok Star Supper Club at Phuc Yea was hands-down the BEST so far! Held on Sunday, November 17, it SOLD OUT fast—and for good reason. The food? A knockout mix of Vietnamese and Latin flavors. The vibe? Warm and personal, from the eclectic decor to the beautiful murals. And let’s not forget, Phuc Yea is a 3-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner!  


Event Highlights

Co-owner and Chef, Ani Meinhold shared the heartfelt story behind Phuc Yea, and I loved her shoutout for my role in curating and organizing the evening. Pietro Morelli of Dona Rosalba wines brought a bubbly touch, sharing stories about his rosé while guests sipped and mingled.  

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DonaRosalba-bottle-copy-768x1024.jpeg
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Pietro-EH-831x1024.jpg


The Vibe?

Guests couldn’t stop raving about the decor at Phuc Yea—every space felt unique, from personal mementos to bold artwork. It made for an intimate and inviting atmosphere.  

The Food?

The curated menu Ani and chefs put together was a perfect symphony of Vietnamese and Latin Flavors. As Ani says, “Mixing temperature and acidity and crunch is very important to our dining experience.” I heard people were trying to squeeze the Oyster Mushroom Curry sauce from the Vegan Menu out of Ani, ha, ha. 

Seared Octopus Canapé
Tuna Crudos
Imperial Rolls
Green Papaya Salad
Crispy Broccoli Bao
Curry Cornish Hens, Smacked Cucumbers, Phuc Yea Noodles


The People 

The crowd? A fantastic mix, from CEOs, a TV producer and attorneys to a Filipino judge and even a 12-year-old Supper Club alum! I paired a few singles together—instant connections! So many remarked how much they enjoyed the company at their table.


Final Thoughts 

Phuc Yea nailed the flavors, and the energy in the room was electric. A huge thank you to Ani, Chef Cesar, and the entire Phuc Yea team—you all ROCK!  If you’re thinking of holding a party or event there or visiting to try their food, don’t wait too long.

Want in on the next Wok Star Supper Club?

Send your email [here] to join the list

— spots fill up fast!

Check out more details and preview post [here] and lastly, here’s RECAP REELS on Instagram…

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eleanor Hoh, food personality (@wokstar)

Until next time, happy wokking! 🌟 



Filed Under: blog

Phuc Yea hosts Exclusive Dinner with Wok Star Supper Club

November 14, 2024 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

Start getting excited cause my next Wok Star Supper Club is a collaboration with Phuc Yea, a three-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner for an exclusive 4-course CURATED dining experience, Sunday, November 17 in Miami’s MIMO district. Guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of rosé bubbly sponsored by Dona Rosalba at 6 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM.

RESERVATIONS & PREPAY

RESERVATIONS & PREPAY

Cutoff is Friday, November 15, 2024! If we hit the right number, we’ll have the whole restaurant to ourselves, woohoo!

DINING AREAS

Located in Miami’s MIMO district, Phuc Yea’s three distinct dining areas are centered around the bar. We’ll be surrounded with art by local pop artist, Miguel Paredes, he painted the majority of the intricate wall murals.

Dining, right of bar
Dining, left of bar
Paredes dining room
Dining area, right
Wall mural
Dining room, mural
Bar
Hallway
Lobby

CURATED 4-COURSE MENU

You’re in for a treat, what an incredible menu. Chef Cesar Zapata and Ani Meinhold have curated a four-course dinner showcasing Phuc Yea’s blend of unique, bold Southeast Asian and Latin flavors, all designed to be enjoyed family-style. As Ani mentioned, “Mixing temperature and acidity and crunch is very important to our dining experience.” They’ve organized a Vegan menu as well.

VEGAN MENU

GOOD FOOD & CAMARADERIE !

Best part about these gatherings? Since I know most guests from my wok cooking classes or through networking, I’ll organize the seating with like minded people. Guests have said how much they enjoyed meeting new friends and had a great time at my past events. So, if you’re single, you won’t feel lonely! 

SPREAD THE WORD…

Share with work colleagues and friends you think would enjoy this one-of-a-kind dining experience which you wouldn’t get if you went on your own. It was specially created for this exclusive Wok Star Supper Club! 

RESERVATIONS & PREPAY

About Phuc Yea:
Phuc Yea, owned by Chef Cesar Zapata and Ani Meinhold, is a culinary gem in Miami, known for its vibrant fusion of Vietnamese and Latin flavors. Since opening in 2016, Phuc Yea has consistently championed inclusivity and diversity, creating a space where Miami’s diverse community feels welcome. The restaurant’s inventive approach and dedication to quality have garnered prestigious accolades, including three consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand awards, further establishing it as a must-visit destination in Miami’s dining landscape.

Phuc Yea’s reputation is well-recognized in the media, with Miami New Times naming it among Miami’s Top 100 Restaurants and awarding it Best Restaurant in MiMo and Best Vietnamese Restaurant. Additionally, The Hungry Post has praised its brunch as one of the city’s finest, and Eater Miami includes Phuc Yea on its Essential 38 list, highlighting it as one of Miami’s top dining experiences. With its unique flavors, community-focused atmosphere, and creative energy, Phuc Yea continues to be a beloved staple in Miami’s evolving food scene.

About Eleanor Hoh & Wok Star Supper Club:
Wok Star Eleanor Hoh is a Miami food personality (@wokstar) who’s been in the Miami food scene as a wok cooking teacher, blogger, event curator/programmer, producer and influencer. Eleanor’s popular Wok Star Supper Club is a series of gatherings held throughout the year in South Florida. Started in 2006, these gatherings are centered around celebrating Asian culture and cuisine. Her goal is to create a tasting sampler at a great value, support chef-owned restaurants while creating an evening filled with camaraderie and good Asian food. These gatherings are an excellent way to be introduced to what the restaurant has to offer and gives the chef an opportunity to talk about their style of cooking. Her followers appreciate she’s done the research and curated a unique dining experience for them.

About Dona Rosalba 
Introducing Dona Rosalba, a Rosé bubbly wine crafted in Mexico from Merlot grapes with hints of black cherry and pink pepper. Dona Rosalba will debut as a welcome drink for this exclusive dining experience. A perfect introduction to a robust fish centric menu for the evening.  

Pietro Antonio Morelli, a wine consultant, sommelier and founder of his own creative agency spent over 20 years bringing the dream of Dona Rosalba to life after working with award winning Prosecco producers. His journey spans from consultancy to restaurant ownership, all while creating memorable wine experiences blending his Italian heritage with his passion for wine.

Filed Under: blog, Foodie event, Miami Events, Vietnamese food, Wok Star Supper Club Tagged With: miami dining, Miami events, Miami foodies, phuc yea, things to do in miami, Wok Star Supper Club

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 77
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Wok Star Supper Club at Hutong

Blog/Reviews

  • Recap from Wok Star Supper Club at Ghee Wynwood
  • Wok Star Supper Club collaborates with Ghee Wynwood for a One-Night-Only Indian 13-dish Feast
  • Slow Food Miami Snail of Approval Tasting Party at Eden Roc: A Night of Delicious Bites Under the Stars

Subscribe to Wok Star Newsletter

Get first dibs to attend Wok Star Supper Club events, receive food updates & restaurant reviews.

Top rated products

  • Wok Star Kit to help you succeed Wok Star Kit
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $159.00
  • Wok Mitts Wok Star Mitt
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $35.00
  • Wok Star Online Classes Wok Star Online Classes
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $27.99

Join Wok Star’s Community

FacebookInstagramPinterestRSSTwitterYouTube

Footer

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 Wok Star Eleanor Hoh. All rights reserved.