Thai Orchid opens Northland location with homey street food set to wow its new neighbors

Even though the new Thai Orchid restaurant in Kansas City’s Northland proudly pays homage to the Rojjanasrirat family’s culinary legacy in Mission, its second-generation owner wants to shock the taste buds of diners who are unfamiliar with the business’ story.

My Blueberry Nights from Thai Orchid: blueberry cheesecake in crispy wonton wraps, served with vanilla ice cream; photo by Alyssa Broadus

“I want the reaction of the people who try our food to be, ‘Wow! That’s amazing!’ I want them to be pleasantly surprised by the complexity of Thai flavors and spices that we offer,” said Jonathan Rojjanasrirat. “I want them to feel like they’re visiting a friend’s house, seeing the staff having fun and feeling like they’re well taken care of.” 

Thai Orchid officially opened a second location earlier this month at 464 NW Legacy Dr. in the Metro North Crossing complex, northeast of U.S. Highway 169 and Barry Road.

The original Thai Orchid location in Johnson County has been in the Rojjanasrirat family for 26 years. Its new location features many of the foundational items found on the Mission menu, with the addition of more casual Thai street food items and small plates.

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Thai Orchid’s 4,000-square-foot Northland footprint sits alongside such businesses as Third Street Social, KPOT Korean BBQ and Hot Pot, Andy’s Frozen Custard, T-Shotz, and Dutch Bros. Coffee. The second location was first announced in May 2024.

“We believe in the Metro North project,” said Rojjanasrirat, who is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, as well as overseeing the design of the kitchen and dining room. “We think the Northland is growing and needs more food selection for the people. We also want to do something fun and new to get out of our comfort zone.”

The result: Thai street food with a homey atmosphere, he said.

“We can only offer so much at Thai Orchid Mission due to our limited space,” Rojjanasrirat continued. “At this location, we know that we have the capacity to do more and be more.”” 

An assortment of menu items from Thai Orchid: Braised Beef Khao Soi, Green Curry, Basil Wings, Pad Thai, Crab Rangoon, and Gai Tod; photo by Alyssa Broadus

In addition to Rojjanasrirat, his wife — Nuttaphat Stonnisgul — leads the restaurant and is responsible for developing many of the menu items at the Mission location.

She is working alongside the Northland location’s chef — Pongsakorn Sonlila, who hails from the Roi-et in the Isaan region of Thailand — to develop additional menu items. 

The restaurant is currently open for dinner only Wednesdays through Mondays (closed Sundays), and the liquor license is pending (expected mid-April). Lunch hours are expected to be added later in April.