Dish & Drink KC: Heat-beating treats at Saap Saap Noodles, Urban Food Truck

Saap Saap Noodles // Photo By Tiffany Watts

If you’re craving heat, heart, and bold Southeast Asian flavor, all in one bite, Saap Saap Noodles is where you need to be.

Located inside the vibrant Lenexa Public Market, this fast-casual gem is serving Laotian and Thai-inspired dishes that don’t hold back on flavor. Whether you’re slurping through a spicy red curry ramen or digging into wok-charred noodles, everything that hits the table at Saap Saap delivers on its name: “saap” means “delicious” in Lao, and they mean it.

On my recent visit, I came hungry and left obsessed. 

I visited with my mom and daughter, and together we ordered a little bit of everything. We started strong with two appetizers that could honestly hold their own as mains: the Pho Chicken Wings, coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory aromatic glaze, and Mama’s Pork Egg Rolls, fried to a golden crisp and stuffed with seasoned pork and noodles. 

Then came the main event: the entrees. First up was the Ribeye Red Curry Ramen. A rich, silky red curry broth swimming with springy noodles and tender slices of ribeye. The broth was perfectly balanced, well seasoned without being overpowering, with just enough coconut creaminess to round it out. 

The Night Market Noodles were another standout. Chewy, sauce-slicked noodles tossed with tender protein and crisp veggies, this dish packed that addictive sweet-savory heat that keeps your chopsticks moving. Every bite was deliciously balanced and full of texture.

For a comforting and hearty option, the Ribeye Rice Plate delivers. Juicy seared ribeye is laid over fluffy jasmine rice with a savory sauce that ties it all together. And if you’re a fan of heat and herbs, the Pork Pad Grapow is a super yummy option. This dish layers ground pork, fresh basil, garlic, and chiles into a spicy, aromatic stir-fry served with rice and a runny fried egg on top. 

While everything was bursting with flavor on its own, spice lovers like me should note that Saap Saap offers an “Extra! Lao Spicy Flavor Bomb” for those who want to turn the heat all the way up. I didn’t try it this time around, only because each dish was already so flavorful, but I’ll go back for that bomb.

Finally, I saved the best for last, so let’s talk about the Thai tea, because my mom and daughter haven’t stopped talking about it. My daughter loved it so much she went back for seconds… and then a third. They said it made for the perfect refresher between bites of all the spicy, savory dishes we ordered, and honestly, worth a visit on its own.  I didn’t try it myself (not a dairy milk kind of girl), but based on their rave reviews and the steady stream of people ordering it around us, it’s safe to say this drink is a fan favorite.

Saap Saap Noodles is located inside Lenexa Public Market at 8750 Penrose Ln, Lenexa, KS 66219.

Urban Food Truck // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Some nights remind you just how vibrant and flavorful Kansas City’s Black food scene really is, and the Juneteenth Jamboree, hosted by KC Black Owned and MAC Properties, was exactly that kind of night.

With vendors posted up everywhere, DJ Q keeping the energy high on the ones and twos, and community love flowing strong, it was the kind of celebration that filled your soul and your stomach. My daughter and I came out for a night of fun, and between snagging my first-ever permanent bracelet and dancing to the beats, we made our way to one of the main food highlights of the night, Urban Food Truck.

Urban had the grill going and the good vibes rolling all night long, serving up flavor with every order. My daughter ordered the Chicken Philly. Grilled chicken piled high with caramelized onions, bell peppers, melty provolone, and house sauce on a toasted hoagie. She’s a fan of all things cheesy, chicken-y, and full of peppers, so this was basically made for her. One bite in, she was all smiles. 

Safe to say, it was a hit.

I went with the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, which typically comes topped with their signature spicy mayo on a local brioche bun. But since I don’t eat eggs, I passed. For a second, I worried I might’ve missed out on the sauce experience… until I took that first bite. The grilled chicken was juicy, flavorful, and seasoned to perfection. It stood on its own. No signature sauce needed. That kind of bold, well-seasoned protein is a flex in itself.

I love when an event delivers exactly what it should on a family-style girls’ night out: good food, good music, and quality time with my daughter. Everything just clicked that night, and the food added a dash of flavor to a memorable Juneteenth celebration that we’ll hold onto for a while.

Urban Food Truck  may be found at events all over Kansas City.