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Seven new hot spots redefine Kansas City’s culinary landscape

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City’s dining scene is turning up the heat with bold new openings and reinventions. This list of stories outlines everything from Mochinut’s wildly popular corn dogs and mochi doughnuts in Overland Park to the immersive $175 omakase journey at Sushi Kodawari in the Crossroads. Lenexa City Center is rising fast, home to Enjoy Pure Food + Drink's sleek second spot and the active-lifestyle vibe of Five Four Restaurant and Drafthouse.

Westport is getting a nightlife makeover, with new venues like Jungalow and Uncle Jim’s Pool Hall setting the stage for stylish eats and late-night energy. And keep an eye on healthy newcomers like Toastique, bringing colorful gourmet toast and collagen lattes to the Overland Park crowd.

Mochinut will open in Overland Park in November and sell pastries that are part mochi, part doughnut.

NO. 1: FIND MOCHI DOUGHNUTS AND CORN DOGS AT NEW, ALREADY BUSTLING JOCO DESSERT SHOP

Now open: A dessert shop that combines an American breakfast with an Asian rice cake. | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Westport Landing is set to open July 19 at 4115 Mill St. By Westport Bars KC Group

NO. 2: BIG CHANGES COMING TO KANSAS CITY NIGHTLIFE. HERE’S WHAT’S SOON TO ARRIVE IN WESTPORT

The entertainment district could look very different by this time next year. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Sablefish marinated for four days in shiro miso from Kyoto. Served with a Japanese pickled cucumber, lotus root and myoga ginger. By Roy Inman

NO. 3: NEW KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT COSTS $175 FOR A MEAL. I HAD TO FIND OUT: IS IT WORTH IT?

With just eight seats, reservations are hard to come by at this new restaurant. But I got in. Here’s what it’s like. | Published July 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The ahi poke bowl has sesame-crusted seared ahi tuna, fresh mango, pickled ginger, avocado, cucumber, sweet potatoes, umami rice and soy glaze. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 4: THIS KC AREA HEALTH RESTAURANT JUST OPENED IN ‘EXPLODING’ JOHNSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT

The owner said she’s “very excited” to open a location in the area. | Published November 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Customers construct and cook their own food at the new KPOT restaurant, which will serve Korean bbq and hot pot. By Courtesy photo

NO. 5: THIS KOREAN HOT POT RESTAURANT HAS JUST OPENED ITS SECOND KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATION

It’s one of just a few hot pot restaurants in the KC area. | Published November 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Five Four Restaurant and Drafthouse is getting a new space in Lee’s Summit and Lenexa.

NO. 6: OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT RESTAURANT COMING TO JOHNSON COUNTY, LEE’S SUMMIT. ANOTHER CLOSING

The new restaurant will have two golf bays, two pickleball courts, yard games and outdoor seating. | Published January 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The dining room at the soon-to-open Toastique is bright and clean and features seating for 26. By Denise Neil

NO. 7: HEALTH CAFE CHAIN LOOKS TO OPEN FIRST KC AREA SPOT IN JOHNSON COUNTY

It sells lattes, cold-pressed juice, avocado toast and more. | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.