Hand-pulled, slow-simmered and tossed in flavorful spices: KC’s collection of noodle restaurants, ramen shops and other soup dishes keep customers comfy no matter the time of year (or your utensil of choice).
Ramen Shops
- Bōru Asian Eatery: Warm up with rich flavors at the cozy ramen bar in the heart of Waldo. Plus, an expanded menu and robust selection of cocktails offer something for everyone.
- MaMa Ramen: This addition to the Downtown scene serves up its build-your-own ramen bowls seven days a week.
- Sama Zama: A popular Westport joint, Sama Zama offers Japanese favorites like tonkotsu and miso ramen, but don’t turn down the yaki udon bowl if you’re craving a thicker noodle.
Trendy Noodle Options
- Vietnam Café: The pho is a stand-out here. An incredibly rich and flavorful broth is cooked with your choice of protein and served over noodles with fresh bean sprouts, sweet basil, cilantro, sliced jalapeno and lime wedges on the side.
- Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop: Thai favorites like pad se eu and pad Thai shine at this popular fast-casual restaurant with locations in the Crossroads Arts District and Westwood.
- Blue Koi Noodles & Dumplings: Located in Leawood, Blue Koi’s handmade noodles, crave-worthy dumplings and other Chinese comfort food dishes earned it a feature in Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives.
- Baramee Thai Bistro: Baramee lives up to its namesake—a Buddhist word that, as the owners put it, roughly represents making others happy to reach fulfillment—by serving up coveted recipes from Northeastern Thailand.
- Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill: Build your own noodle dish at Genghis Khan, where diners can watch as chefs cook their personalized meals on a huge grill in the middle of the restaurant.
- Waldo Thai Place: With local roots dating back to 1975, this Waldo favorite goes beyond familiar pad Thai dishes with an authentic, upscale menu.
Soups, Chilis and More
- Woodyard Bar-B-Que: No rundown of KC cuisine would be complete without representation from barbecue, its signature culinary tradition. Look no further than Woodyard for burnt end chili—a three-bean combination mixed with the region’s most coveted delicacy.
- The Antler Room: Tour the Mediterranean with an assortment of small plates carefully crafted by the minds behind The Antler Room. When in the mood for something especially comforting, opt for the beautifully plated Georgian pork & beef soup dumplings.
- Novel: Driven by a seasonal menu, Novel always seems to offer a soup or stew (or two). No matter the dish, expect a heightened level of creativity and quality ingredients that won’t disappoint.
- Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen: Don’t pass up a bowl of steaming gumbo from this New Orleans-inspired restaurant long-respected for its faithful takes on Cajun dining.
