Awkwafina Revives Family Restaurant in New Series

The actress discussed her series THE UNLIKELY CHEF on The Drew Barrymore Show, which attempts to revive her family's Chinese restaurant.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Chinese Food

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a bamboo steamer of dumplings beside chopsticks and a teacup on a wooden table, warm and quiet. — Awkwafina's new series THE UNLIKELY CHEF revives her grandmother's family Chinese restaurant, reconnecting with former employees' families on The Drew Barrymore Show. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Awkwafina appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show to discuss THE UNLIKELY CHEF, a series that attempts to revive her family's Chinese restaurant. The appearance produced two segments, one featuring her meeting friends and family of former restaurant employees.

Why it matters

The series centers on a family-owned Chinese restaurant and the personal history behind it, offering a glimpse into the role such establishments play in family and community life. Awkwafina describes the project as a love letter to her grandmother, who raised her.

The appearance produced two segments, one showing Awkwafina meeting friends and family of former restaurant employees and another addressing the personal motivation behind the project. The extraction provides no figures on viewership, release schedule, or restaurant performance.

The players

Awkwafina

Awkwafina is an American actress and comedian known for her roles in films such as Crazy Rich Asians and The Farewell, and for her Academy Award-winning work in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore is an American actress, producer, and television host known for hosting The Drew Barrymore Show.

The details

Awkwafina discussed the series with Drew Barrymore, and the first clip shows her meeting extended family of former employees of her grandmother's restaurant. The second segment addresses the personal motivation behind the project, which the actress describes as a love letter to the grandmother who raised her.

The Drew Barrymore Show appearance and related article were published on 2026-11-05.

Culture Shift

The series reflects a broader trend in which Asian American entertainers such as Awkwafina, who rose to prominence through Crazy Rich Asians and The Farewell, are telling stories rooted in immigrant family restaurants. Its focus on a grandmother's establishment places it within a wave of screen portrayals of Chinese American family life.

Viewers interested in the series can look for THE UNLIKELY CHEF once its distribution details are announced, as the extraction does not specify a platform or premiere date. The Drew Barrymore Show segments offer a preview of the project's themes and personal background.

The takeaway

Family-run restaurants often carry personal histories that extend well beyond the menu, and Awkwafina's project brings those stories to a national audience. Readers interested in the subject can follow coverage of Chinese food and family traditions across the lifestyle section.