Kennewick entrepreneur Noy Kumsi plans to open his second Asian restaurant in the Tri-Cities today.

City Pho will serve Vietnamese-Thai noodle soups at 1407 N. Young St., a block east of Columbia Center mall in Kennewick.

"I wanted to keep the Thai-Asian style foods but make it different from my West Richland restaurant," he said.

Two years ago, Kumsi said he was looking for a business opportunity when he selected the site of his first restaurant, Thai City, at 4096 W. Van Giesen St in West richland.

"I just thought Thai food would be a good thing to have in West Richland," he said. "It's worked out very well for me."

When the former Phuket Thai restaurant in Kennewick closed, Kumsi decided to open a second restaurant. He's been busy the past few months updating the decor and repainting.

Kumsi points out that he's not a chef, but he gained experience working at a family-style restaurant in Idaho Falls, Idaho, when he was high school student.

"Since then, I've always wanted to have my own place," he said.

By day, Kumsi is a health physics technician at Hanford. At night and on his days off, he often lends a hand at Thai City -- and now City Pho.

"Sometimes, I amaze myself," Kumsi said. "Fortunately, I don't sleep much."

He's quick to add, "I'm very grateful to have a staff who take ownership of their responsibilities."

Kumsi employs six at his West Richland restaurant, and he expects similar staffing at City Pho.

"Some of my employees are willing to work second shifts so they'll be at both places," he said.

Among those at both restaurants will be his Thai chef, who goes by the nickname Tom.

"Tom worked at a five-star restaurant in Thailand," Kumsi said. "He can cook Japanese, Chinese, Thai. He's very diversified."

City Pho will be open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., every day. The phone number is 572-2632.

Thai City is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then 5 to 9 p.m. The phone number is 967-8424.

Both will offer takeout.