Wai Wai Thai Place Express, Overland Park

Roaring flames rise and fall inside the kitchen of Wai Wai Thai Place Express. Some might think that a dragon lives there, but it’s just the dramatic cooking methods of Pa Noi and Pa Nut, the restaurant’s culinary team. The pair also makes noodles tumble through the air at this edible circus, where flavors from Thailand coalesce in classic dishes such as pad thai, panang curry, and galanga chicken soup. Guests can witness the performance from nearby booths and tables that sit within view of the kitchen, where cooks chop bell peppers rather than fashioning them into clown noses. The stove’s heat summons the veggies’ crunch for ginger-laced stir-fries, and scallions and garlic unlock the flavors that dwell within the peppers' colorful shells. At a handful of outdoor tables, diners can marinate in fresh air and sunshine as they munch soft spring rolls and crispy pork ribs kissed with garlic and sriracha.