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Five leading examples of fusion, tradition, and reinvention in KC’s Asian food scene

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City’s Asian food scene continues to evolve, balancing time-honored recipes with creative reinvention. Waldo Thai emphasizes authentic Northern Thai flavors, refusing to adjust traditional dishes like khao soi for American tastes and instead inviting diners to embrace bold Lanna cuisine. At Bo Lings’ former Country Club Plaza location, a transformation to Heritage Asian Kitchen brings a modern menu blending Chinese staples, sushi, and Thai-inspired plates such as tom yum soup, alongside crowd favorites like dim sum and a standout A-5 ribeye service.

Choga in Overland Park stands out for its marinated Korean galbi and classic banchan, offering a barbecue experience with deep roots but fresh appeal. Meanwhile, All In One Eatery, launching soon, sets out to merge Asian cuisines under one roof, letting guests order everything from sushi to noodles in sleek, tech-forward settings.

Choga serves its marinated short ribs, or galbi, on a bed of caramelized yellow onions. The ribs can be cooked to order, or customers can cook them themselves at the table. By Zachary Linhares

NO. 1: YES, KANSAS CITY HAS GREAT BBQ. BUT MY FAVORITE RIBS IN TOWN ARE AT THIS KOREAN PLACE

Korean short ribs, called galbi, are a “must try” at this Johnson County restaurant: tender, sweet and smoky and oh so rich in flavor. | Published October 17, 2023 | Read Full Story by Katie Moore

Waldo Thai offers the khan toke yai, a platter that lets customers try 10 Lanna dishes, with food and flavors executive chef Pam Liberda grew up with in Northern Thailand. They aren’t often featured at American Thai restaurants.

NO. 2: KEEP YOUR AMERICANIZED PAD THAI. I GO TO THIS KC RESTAURANT FOR AUTHENTIC THAI FEASTS

Our friends visiting from California were surprised to find pungent and authentic Asian flavors at a restaurant in the Midwest. I keep going back for more. | Published June 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Andrea Klick

The pork steamed dumplings at Bo Lings are hand-shaped, pinched and steamed. A basket of them (eight for $10) makes a meal in itself. By Todd Feeback

NO. 3: LONGTIME KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT ON COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA TO GET NEW NAME, MENU, MANAGEMENT

The plan is to change the name and add more modern offerings to the menu, alongside classic staples. But only at the Plaza location. | Published June 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Heritage Asian Kitchen is now open in the former Bo Lings space at 4701 Jefferson St. By David Hudnall

NO. 4: BO LINGS ON KC’S COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA IS NOW HERITAGE ASIAN KITCHEN. WHAT’S CHANGED?

Fans of Bo Lings will be glad to hear dim sum is still on the menu. “I know a lot of people were nervous that we would get rid of that,” said Corey Gonzalez, chief operating officer of W. Vinzant Restaurants. | Published March 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

All In One Eatery will open two spots in Kansas City later this summer.

NO. 5: ‘ALL-IN-ONE’ RESTAURANT COMING TO JOHNSON COUNTY APPLEBEE’S & KC SHOPPING CENTER

It will serve sushi, cocktails and more in a former Applebee’s, as well as this Northland spot. | Published April 16, 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.