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Bo Lings: Authentic Food, Unmatched Ambiance

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Strolling through the Country Club Plaza around dinner time is a little overwhelming but oh-so exciting. With so many options, you’re sure to satisfy your hunger and appetite for adventure; that is, if you can choose. On the corner of 47th and Jefferson Street, Bo Lings is marked with big, bright red letters that welcome customers inside. Rest assured that when selecting this restaurant, you’ll be served the highest quality Chinese cuisine in an upbeat, fine dining atmosphere. Bo Lings is not your typical Chinese takeout, it’s an exciting cultural experience!

As you walk into the venue, feast your eyes on the vibrant, traditional décor, with paper lanterns, romantic lighting and a high-tech bar that changes color throughout the evening. Bo Lings evokes a modern vibe with customary details, perfect for a date night or family dinners. As you’re directed towards your table, you’ll pass a glass wall that allows customers to watch chefs artfully prepare their noodles and dumplings. A host will greet you and service is as prompt as it is friendly.

The ambiance is exceptionally fun. Among red and gold tables, a sea of happily dining customers and attentive staff, you can feel the history of this successful family-owned restaurant. It all started back in 1981, when owners Richard (Bo, his Chinese name) and Theresa (Ling) set out on a journey to serve quality Chinese food using the freshest and finest ingredients possible. The husband-and-wife duo sought out items made from scratch, resulting in delicious, healthy and fresh dishes. The first Bo Lings location, at 91st and Metcalf, blossomed beyond Richard and Theresa’s imaginations. Devoted customers fell in love with the authentic dishes and created a demand for six more locations across the metropolitan area! Theresa credits their success to consistent hard work. “Our philosophy hasn’t changed,” she said. “We have put all of our time, energy and passion into our business for the past 38 years!”

For Richard and Theresa, serving Kansas City has always been the top priority. The original Plaza location spent 25 years in the Board of Trade building and moved to their current venue in 2011. “It’s been a whole new adventure,” Theresa said. “We can really feel the Plaza atmosphere since we are closer to the excitement and bustle of the shops. We’ve been serving three generations of Kansas City diners and have loved seeing people we knew as kids now bringing their grandchildren into our restaurants.” With such a high regard for the food, I couldn’t wait to dive into the lengthy menu. 

Theresa ensures that a lot of thought went into curating the available options. “We put together a variety of the most popular Chinese dishes for the restaurant menu and we’re always bringing new ideas back, especially after traveling to China.” I lost count of the many soups, appetizers and vegetable plates offered; there’s something for every diner’s preference. The Steamed Vegetable Dumplings, handmade for optimal taste, feature fresh cabbage, spinach, mushrooms and noodles with a hint of ginger. The Pork Dumplings and Shrimp and Pork Chive Dumplings, frequently described as “exceptional,” are two fan favorites that are guaranteed to kick start your appetite.

The huge variety of traditional Chinese dishes, including daily Dim Sum specials and, on the weekends, a Hong-Kong style pushcart service with more than 50 items, clearly differentiates Bo Lings from your typical takeout restaurant. “We pride ourselves on the freshness of our ingredients and guests are always happily surprised to see our staff prepping fresh produce every day. We strive to maintain excellent food and service.” 

As if swinging by on a weekday wasn’t special enough, Bo Lings offers catering options for many different types of events such as office luncheons, holiday parties, weddings and small or large gatherings. “We have a catering menu that diners can choose from or we can create custom menus according to individual tastes, needs and budgets,” Theresa said. Gorgeous private dining rooms can be closed off or opened up to accommodate guests. The lazy Susan-style tables and TV/audio visual capabilities guarantee a family dining feel. 

The catering menus feature unique options such as the iconic Imperial Shrimp. It’s as tasty as it is beautiful, presented with care. Juicy, perfectly cooked jumbo shrimp are wrapped in noodles and served with the chef’s mixed veggie salad. Another favorite is the Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles, your choice of pork, tofu and shrimp well-seasoned with a dash of heat. 

An authentic menu, unparalleled dining experience, fresh ingredients and attentive service are just a few of the many reasons to choose Bo Lings. Experience the dedication of past generations with tastes inspired by the homeland, served right here in Kansas City.

Visit bolings.com for menu previews and all locations across the KC metro.

Cravings writer Meg Dieter is a Kansas City transplant from Cleveland, Ohio. She’s a wife, dog mom, foodie and social media coordinator. Meg spends her weekends at Arrowhead Stadium, River Market and local animal shelters. Her life motto: count the memories, not the calories.