LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) — From friends’ encouragement to a shared dream, Mimi Yong and James “Jim” Panciera have turned years of home cooking into a new culinary venture. Mimi’s Kitchen, serving Asian cuisine, opened its doors on Feb. 2, inviting the community to taste a diverse, deeply personal menu inspired by Mimi’s Malaysian roots and Jim’s American and Laotian-Thai influences.
Mimi Yong describes herself as the heart of the kitchen. “I’m Malaysian,” she says, “and my husband is American. Between us, we have a very diverse background in food.” Jim grew up around Laotian and Thai influences in an Italian area of New England. Mimi’s Kitchen’s menu features a mix of Southeast Asian flavors and Italian cuisine.
The couple chose Lewisburg to open their restaurant after a move 15 years ago for a job opportunity planted the seed, and the last several years of cooking for friends helped them decide to take the plunge.
Mimi’s Kitchen aims to keep its menu small and diverse, focusing on authenticity and quality. The current offerings center on Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines, with plans to expand into traditional Italian fare, homemade pasta and sauces, focaccia, and sandwiches in the coming months.
Yong and Panciera bring years of home cooking, which they have turned into a professional ambition. Mimi emphasizes that they honor traditional recipes while balancing bold flavors. Jim contributes Italian-inspired techniques and Western culinary perspectives that complement the Asian-inspired dishes.
A community with friends and family ties and a welcoming environment aligns with their philosophy of sharing good food with neighbors and visitors. Mimi’s Kitchen is about respectful representation of each cuisine made with care and quality ingredients.
The couple wanted to share the joy of cooking in a community-focused business and would appreciate any feedback. Patrons can expect a warm welcome and a growing menu that reflects their shared culinary journey.
Mimi’s Kitchen is located at 3474 North Jefferson St., Lewisburg, Suite 107. Call to place a take-out order (dine-in is not available): call 304-520-4036.
