"With a growing spotlight on Korean cuisine, the craze of tteokbokki, a Korean rice cake cooked in a thick, spicy sauce, has hit Houston in a major way. In August, Bellaire welcomed its first AYCE customizable tteokbokki and fried rice-centered restaurant, complete with instant ramen and hot food stations. Start with the tteokbokki soup by spicing up your broth with a mix of sauces, then let it brew at the table while loading on rice cakes of all shapes and sizes. Mix them in before picking out food from the hot food buffet, and then get to slurping and dunking. Save room (and some of the broth) for the second part of the experience — the kimchi fried rice, which is created with a separate food bar of ingredients. And if you’re ready for some more, fill up on all the bulgogi, spicy pork, japchae, and ice cream you can get your hands on." - Sean Hekmat