This profile is in active compilation — some details are awaiting a cited source.

Bo Lings is a Kansas City Chinese and dim-sum institution founded in 1981 by Richard (“Bo”) and Theresa (“Ling”) Ng — a multi-generation, KC-resident family operation that grew from a single Overland Park storefront to a metro-wide group still run by the Ng family.

Infobox primary is the Overland Park / Metcalf location, the Ng family’s original-corridor anchor (the first Bo Lings opened nearby at 91st & Metcalf in 1981). The former Plaza flagship at 4701 Jefferson St is now operated separately as “Heritage by Bo Lings” under W. VinZant Restaurants (see Locations and Ownership).

Locations

AddressNeighborhoodStatus
8973 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66212Overland Park (Metcalf / Promontory)Open
7105 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS 66223Overland Park South (135th & Metcalf)Open
9576 Quivira Rd, Lenexa, KS 66215Lenexa (95th & Quivira)Open
8670 NW Prairie View Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153Zona Rosa (Northland)Open
4701 Jefferson St, Kansas City, MO 64112Country Club PlazaOpen as “Heritage by Bo Lings” (W. VinZant Restaurants, acq. June 2024)

Dropped — formerly operating, now closed: City Market (20 E 5th St, KCMO) and its fast-casual successor Bo’s Kitchen closed; the City Market space was sold (to Sushi Nami, deal closed June 2025).1

Description

Bo Lings is one of Kansas City’s longest-running and most recognized Chinese-restaurant operations, widely regarded as the metro’s defining dim-sum destination.23 Founded in 1981, the group built its reputation on authentic regional Chinese cuisine “in a fine dining atmosphere,” using quality ingredients and a menu that pairs daily dim sum with full Chinese fare.2

From a single storefront, the Ng family expanded across the metro over four decades; as of 2026 the family operates locations in Overland Park (two), Lenexa, and the Northland’s Zona Rosa, with the former Country Club Plaza flagship continuing on the same site under a new operator as “Heritage by Bo Lings.”45 Multiple locations carry a dedicated dim-sum menu and are repeatedly cited by local reviewers as KC’s best Chinese / best dim sum.3

Ownership and history

The business was founded in 1981 by Richard “Bo” Ng and Theresa “Ling” Ng (also rendered Far Ling Ng) — a husband-and-wife team who developed their passion for Chinese cooking working in her family’s Dragon Inn restaurant in Overland Park during their teenage years.24 In their early twenties, with a young son and a modest stake, they opened the first Bo Lings at 91st & Metcalf in Overland Park.4

A second location opened at the Board of Trade building (48th & Main) and later relocated to 47th & Jefferson on the Country Club Plaza (the historic Skelly building) in 2013, becoming the group’s longtime flagship.2 Additional locations followed in Lenexa (95th & Quivira), Overland Park South (135th & Metcalf), Zona Rosa, and the City Market (since 2007).34

The Ng family — including daughter Rebecca Ng, son-in-law James, and grandson Raymond Ng — has continued operating the restaurants across multiple generations.2

Ownership nuance (Plaza / “Heritage”): In June 2024, the Ngs partnered with / sold the Plaza flagship to W. VinZant Restaurants, which rebranded 4701 Jefferson St as “Heritage by Bo Lings” (an Asian-American fusion concept retaining Bo Lings staples).56 The four remaining suburban/Northland locations continue under the Ng family. This Registry page treats the Ng-family-operated Bo Lings group as the Tier 1 operator; the Heritage/Plaza unit is documented but is operated by VinZant.

Sources

Disputes

(No active disputes as of 2026-06-08.)

Footnotes

  1. Yelp — “Bo Lings City Market — CLOSED” (20 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO). https://www.yelp.com/biz/bo-lings-city-market-kansas-city-3. Retrieved 2026-06-08. Asserts: City Market location closed; the successor fast-casual Bo’s Kitchen closed; space sold (to Sushi Nami, deal closed early June 2025). ↩

  2. Bo Lings — “Our Story.” https://bolings.com/our-story. Retrieved 2026-06-08. Asserts: founded 1981 by Richard (“Bo”) and Theresa (“Ling”) Ng; first location at 91st & Metcalf; trained at family’s Dragon Inn; second location at Board of Trade (48th & Main), relocated to 47th & Jefferson (Skelly building) in 2013; six area locations; family continues with Rebecca Ng, James, Raymond Ng. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  3. Yelp — “Bo Lings” (4701 Jefferson St, Kansas City, MO), Dim Sum, updated May 2026. https://www.yelp.com/biz/bo-lings-kansas-city-7. Asserts: open; current hours; categorized Dim Sum; 460+ reviews; recent (May 2026) review activity. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  4. Bo Lings — “Locations.” https://bolings.com/locations. Retrieved 2026-06-08. Asserts current Ng-family locations and addresses: Overland Park (8973 Metcalf Ave, 66212); Overland Park South (7105 W 135th St, 66223); Lenexa (9576 Quivira Rd, 66215); Zona Rosa (8670 NW Prairie View Rd, KCMO 64153). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  5. Startland News — “New owners for Bo Lings’ Plaza location; here’s what the beloved restaurant is adding to its menu.” Published July 2024. https://www.startlandnews.com/2024/07/bo-lings-plaza/. Asserts: Plaza flagship at 4701 Jefferson St acquired by / partnered with W. VinZant Restaurants, deal finalized June 7, 2024; rebranded “Heritage by Bo Lings” (Asian-American fusion) retaining Bo Lings staples. ↩ ↩2

  6. Kansas City Magazine — “Owners of Bo Lings Chinese Restaurant partnered with the W. VinZant restaurant group.” https://kansascitymag.com/owners-of-bo-lings-chinese-restaurant-partnered-with-the-w-vinzant-restaurant-group/. Retrieved 2026-06-08. Asserts: Richard “Bo” and Theresa “Far Ling” Ng partnered with W. VinZant Restaurants to change the name, concept, and look of the flagship; new concept “Heritage – Asian American Fusion” at 4701 Jefferson St. ↩

See also

  • Registry
  • Owner-And-History-Research-Toolchain
Categories
  • Locally owned
  • Chinese
  • Dim Sum
  • Plaza