same direction

Agreed. If the floor wasn't parallel to the door I might disagree. The kitchen will likely need recoating more frequently than adjacent areas. Since the floor is parallel to the doorway, you can just stop along the edge of a board.

Same direction as existing floors.

I agree. Same direction. I have an L configuration as well and kept them going in the same direction.

As above. Continue with the same direction. There are those of us who are flooring snobs....and we are keenly aware of a wood floor that "turns a corner" for no good reason.

You have to install the flooring in opposite direction with the floor joists!