New owners for Bo Lings’ Plaza location; here’s what the beloved restaurant is adding to its menu

Change is on the way for a longtime staple of the Kansas City food scene: Bo Lings — the Chinese restaurant chain founded by Bo “Richard” Ng and Far “Theresa” Ling in 1981 — has partnered with W.VinZant Restaurants to reimagine its Country Club Plaza location with more contemporary and expansive Asian cuisine.

Bo Lings location on the Country Club Plaza; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

The new incarnation of the restaurant, affectionately dubbed “Heritage — Asian American Fusion,” is expected to expand from its predecessor’s sole offering of Chinese fare to additionally offer Thai, Japanese, and other Asian food.

Renovations of the space at 4701 Jefferson St. are expected to begin in August.

Bo Lings continues to operate locations in Overland Park, Lenexa and Zona Rosa. The family’s standalone Bo’s Kitchen storefront in River Market is temporarily closed.

W.VinZant Restaurants is a Kansas City restaurant group that includes such brands as Louie’s Wine Dive, BRGR Kitchen + Bar, Taco Republic,  Gram & Dun, and The Brew Top.

After being introduced to co-creator of Bo Lings Richard Ng at a wedding in late 2022, Whit Vinzant, CEO of W.VinZant Restaurants, fell in love with the restaurant’s cuisine, but more importantly, the family and loyalty that had been built around it, he said.

“They have the strongest following of regulars, it’s insane,” added Madison Loughlin, now general manager for the Plaza Bo Lings location. “The people that are here have been here for decades.”

What’s next for the evolving menu?

Aside from expanding the restaurant’s food offerings, Heritage aims to streamline the dining and ordering process, VinZant said. Traditionally, when an order or reservation is placed at Bo Lings, it’s all done with pen and paper and can get confusing. Heritage will “elevate” this process to make it easier and more comfortable for customers, VinZant said, noting plans for simpler menus and food names.

Most notably, the physical space at Bo Lings will undergo a significant overhaul before the official opening of Heritage. Initial construction will begin this summer, with the owners aiming for its completion in early November.

VinZant outlined the three phases of the construction, noting, “The barrel ceiling and the far west dining room will be first. … Second will be the sushi and the sake bar. … Third will be the main formal dining and the new bar we’re going to put in.”

And what of Bo Lings will remain at Heritage after the switch?

“Those Bo Lings staples that have been tried and true here that people love, we’re certainly keeping those in place and are going to continue to celebrate them,” VinZant said.

Dishes like crab rangoon, egg rolls, and other iconic Dim Sum offerings are among the foods staying.

Far “Theresa” Ling, Bo Lings; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Keeping the standard, passion high 

For the tried and true Bo Lings followers, there’s no need to worry about Bo Lings fully closing operations; Theresa confirms the Plaza restaurant’s sale was intended to allow her and Richard to maintain the Bo Lings standard at the other locations.

For VinZant, this move is bigger than just money, he said. 

“Financials have nothing to do with this for either of us,” VinZant explained. “This is something that we’re doing because we’re passionate about it.”