Mimimi | Saint John’s Best-Kept Chinese Secret
🥢 Mimimi | Saint John’s Best-Kept Chinese Secret 📍 First Impressions A tiny red-door eatery where every dish tastes like it’s from Grandma’s kitchen: • Vibe: 4 tables max + steam-clouded windows • Smell: Caramelized pork fat + star anise • Sound: Chef’s wok "bang-bang" percussion Pro Tip: Bring cash – their card machine "breaks" often (aka avoids fees) 🍜 Can’t-Miss Dishes 1. Guo Bao Rou ($18.99) 🍖 • Crisp Level: Candy-shell crunch • Sauce: Sweet-tangy without ketchup (real vinegar + ginger) • Texture: Pork belly strips (not dry loin) 2. Cha Shao Bao ($12/3pc) 🥯 • Filling: Hoisin-glazed shoulder (fat ribbons intact) • Dough: Cloud-soft but holds shape • Steam Power: Made to-order (15min wait) 3. Tonkotsu Ramen ($16.99) 🍜 • Broth: 48-hour pork bones + smoked ham hock • Noodles: Hand-pulled (watch chef twirl them!) • Topping: Marinated tea egg (soy-mirin soak) Owner’s Rule: "No wasting food!" (Hence portion control) 📊 Why It Beats Other SJ Spots Dish Mimimi Typical Saint John Chinese Sweet & Sour Pork Pineapple-free Gloopy neon sauce Fried Rice Wok-charred grains Steamed mush Dumplings 8 folds minimum Lazy crescent shapes Winner: Zero Western compromises 💡 Pro Tips 1. Order Early: • Cha Shao Bao sells out by 7pm • Ramen broth runs out after 8:30pm 2. Secret Menu: • "Ma La Tang" (spicy numbing soup) – ask for • Sticky Rice Wraps (weekends only) 3. Parking: Free on Germain St after 6pm Regret: Not ordering the scallion pancakes (next time!) SaintJohnEats #RealChinese #MaritimeFoodie