“Unlike the other Thai restaurants that we have locally, this one, she calls it her ‘steakhouse of Thai restaurants,’” Doug said, referring to Penny. “She’s trying to go a little more elevated.”

In January, the couple opened KC Thai at 135th and Quivira, then began turning their focus on this new upscale concept. They celebrated the grand opening of Bamboo Penny’s on Friday, June 11.

“So happy — actually we’ve been waiting for eight or nine months because of the pandemic,” Penny said. “I’m so excited we’re going to be open in this place. This is one of my dreams.”

Thai flavors with Western flair

Designed entirely by Penny herself, the dishes on the menu pay homage to the tropical notes seen in Thai cuisine — think pineapple fried rice, which is served inside a freshly split open pineapple.

Some of the dishes are the Mufukas’ take on street food, often marrying traditional Thai flavors with Western flair.

For example, the drunken Thai barbecue ribs fuse Kansas City’s love for barbecue by bringing grilled pork marinated in a red wine reduction in combination with a sweet Thai sauce that almost tastes like barbecue.

“Real, original Thai food, I don’t think you guys can handle it,” Penny said, laughing. “It is true. Too spicy, too strong, too fishy, you know? But when you cook with it, it tastes good. So that’s why we halve it — halve with you guys, halve with us.”

Dishes can be customized upon request. The Mufukas say many of their dishes are inspired by the tastes in Penny’s hometown of Phetchabun in central Thailand.

Penny said many ingredients in her dishes are inspired by the wares that merchants sell in the open-air markets of her hometown.

Bamboo Penny’s is only open for dinner for now.

Meanwhile, customers will see the dining room interior designed by Penny, including the wallpaper imported from Thailand that commemorates the Thai New Year in April.

A full bar program features tropical cocktails, vodka infused with various fruits and beers from local breweries. The craft drinks are designed to pair with dishes on the menu.

The lounge upstairs will open in a few weeks (hopefully by Independence Day, the couple says), with a terrace overlooking the outdoor seating and shared lawn below, and an open-air rooftop area.

“Basically, I’m happy with the way the whole thing looks,” said Penny, noting that she’s particularly excited about the shared patio where the community can gather and enjoy each other’s company with live entertainment, yard games and outdoor movie showings.

Penny Mufuka has been in the restaurant industry since she immigrated to the United States several years ago. The couple opened their first local restaurant Thai House at 99th and Holmes in Kansas City, Mo. They also own a small street taco shop.

“People always ask her, how does she do it, how does she run all these restaurants, how does she make such fantastic food,” Doug said.

“Love — it has to come from love,” Penny said. “I love doing what I’m doing. When customers say, ‘Oh, you have the best food,’ that makes me so happy. That’s how my food comes out, it tastes good: I tell them I move to the left, move to the right, check and done.”