After 33 years, Johnson County restaurant will open a second location, in Kansas City
Thai Orchid has been holding it down in Mission since 1991, serving spring rolls, pad thai, steamed dumplings and cashew chicken in a strip mall at 6504 Martway St.
After more than three decades, the restaurant is ready to expand. Owner Jonathan Rojjanasrirat, whose family bought Thai Orchid in 1998, has leased 4,000 square feet in Woodstone at Metro North Crossing.
“We can only offer so much at Thai Orchid Mission due to our limited space,” Rojjanasrirat said. “At this location, we know that we have the capacity to do more and be more. And that’s what we want to bring to the Northland — creative and tasty Thai street food.”
A mixed-use complex near U.S. Highway 169 and Barry Road, Woodstone at Metro North Crossing opened in 2022 and is home to 250 apartments. Third Street Social opened its third metro location in Woodstone earlier this month.
Rojjanasrirat said the new location will serve much of the same menu as in Mission but add several new small plates and street-food items, including honey garlic soy ribs, tom yum wings and Thai barbecue chicken.
“I want (customers) to be pleasantly surprised by the complexity of Thai flavors and spices that we offer,” Rojjanasrirat said. “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.”
He expects the new location to open in October, serving lunch and dinner every day except Tuesday.
