Topokki by Design

Tteokbokki is sometimes spelled “topokki,” a phonetic variation that reflects different Romanizations of Korean, but both refer to the same chewy rice-cake dish. That accessibility is on display at Witch Topokki, an all-you-can-eat Korean street-food buffet concept in Troy, Mich. Here, diners assemble their own topokki by choosing from 13 kinds of rice cakes, a wide spectrum of sauces ranging from mild to extreme heat, and add-ins that include proteins, noodles and vegetables.

The experience leans into interactivity, with sauce powders mixed tableside with broth to create everything from classic spicy builds to carbonara-style or mala-inflected versions. By framing tteokbokki as both DIY and endlessly customizable, Witch Topokki positions the dish as approachable rather than niche, reinforcing how easily chewy rice cakes can translate into the U.S. fast-casual and experiential dining landscape.