Rice to Meet You — Restaurant in Houston

SERVER LIED ABOUT MANDATORY TIPPING & TRIED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY GROUP.

One of the worst restaurant experiences I’ve had to date. For context, I came to this restaurant with my friends, hoping for a good meal, but what we encountered instead was subpar service and an audacious display of entitlement from our server.

Now, I understand that traditional Chinese establishments may not always prioritize service in the way Western restaurants do (I am Chinese myself and have experienced a fair share of this). In many of these places, efficiency is valued over warmth, and servers may come off as indifferent rather than attentive. That’s just the norm, and I’ve never expected over-the-top hospitality. However, what I do expect is basic respect and fairness. That was not what I received here. Despite arriving first, my group noticed that another table, seated after us, was served ahead. That was frustrating but NOT a dealbreaker. The real issue? The woman who served our table.

I don’t know her name, but she appeared to be a middle-aged Chinese woman (50-60 years old) with short black hair and glasses. From the moment she approached our table, her service was practically NONEXISTENT. I had to call over a different server just to ask for basic things—something I shouldn’t have had to do in the first place.

Despite this, the real audacity came at the end of the meal. Our total was around $50, and as I handed her the checkbook, she opened it right in front of us before we even had a chance to leave and immediately demanded, “Oh, where’s my tip?” in the MOST CONDESCENDING & ARROGANT manner. It was almost as if we owed her for service she never provided.

To make matters worse, she tried to pressure us by CLAIMING THAT A MINIMUM 15% TIP WAS REQUIRED. Now don't get me wrong, I know tipping culture is huge in America, and I normally don’t hold back from tipping. But tipping IS for service. And when service is nonexistent, why should I feel obligated? Nowhere on the receipt did it state that 15% was mandatory.

And here’s what made it even more frustrating—I was the ONLY CHINESE SPEAKING ONE THERE, and she took FULL advantage of that. She directed every question/statement onto me while my friends were left confused on the sidelines, watching as she tried to push this false tipping rule onto me. It was clear she thought she could get away with it because I was the only one who understood her.

Our group was around 18 years old, and it was obvious that she saw our age as an opportunity to manipulate and intimidate us. For a woman significantly older—someone in her 50s or 60s—to take advantage of those younger than her is not just unethical, but outright SHAMEFUL. Instead of treating us with the professionalism expected in any establishment, she chose to exploit our age, assuming we wouldn’t question her lies. Frankly, she should be ashamed of using her position to pressure younger customers into tipping for service she NEVER provided.

I asked another server—the one who actually served our table—out of confusion, and she confirmed that TIPPING was OPTIONAL & the "MINIMUM REQUIREMENT of 15%" stated by that server was a COMPLETE LIE. This just confirmed what I suspected: our original server was trying to take advantage of us because we were younger.

This was beyond unprofessional. Tipping should never be forced, especially when the service DOESN'T WARRANT IT. If this is how this restaurant allows its staff to behave, I will not be returning...

I ordered The Cantonese Cured Pork Belly and Spicy Chicken thru Grubhub. My food came very hot, which could mean that it was warmed up before delivering it to me or that it was freshly cooked. It was definitely freshly cooked. That is 5 stars for me in that category alone. I was trying not to burn my tongue while trying to devour it. The Spicy chicken was so tender and yummy. What I did not like is that I ordered Pork Belly not Chinese sausage. There was more of the sausage in the dish than Pork Belly. If the dish is made that way then it should be listed in the description. I also wish that it came with veggies atop like Chinese broccoli or Bok Choy. It would be perfect to me if it did. I wasn't too crazy about the rice though. I don't like my rice crunchy or hard at the bottom, but I guess that is the art of Clay pot rice. That would take some getting use to if you're willing to eat rice differently than regular steamed or fried rice. It was missing a sauce though, that would definitely enhance the taste of the meal. If they added the right sauce with some spice to it, other than a side of soy sauce, it would be the bomb.com. To my surprise, it also came with a Green Tea. I think that is was the Passion Fruit Green Tea. I enjoyed the Tea. I've had the Beef Brisket Noodle soup here also in the past and it was Tastyyyyy!! I can't wait to try their Popcorn Chicken because I'm a Strawberry Green Tea w/Lychee jelly and Aloe Vera/ Strawberry Smoothie w/Lychee Jelly or regular or Crystal Boba and Spicy Popcorn Chicken Connoisseur. Whoa.....

I have been here a couple of times. Always have a very good experience. Clay pot rice takes a while to be prepared so anticipate a wait of at least 15 mins to get the food if they are not too busy.

Claypot rice is done well for being cooked on a gas stove. Obviously my they won't use charcoal since it is an enclosed kitchen. In fact I dont think anyone uses that method in this town. Rice is firm. The bottom layer has a nicely brown crispy crust that I enjoyed very much. It has never burnt on the multiple occassions I have been here.

I chose the cured pork belly and pepper beef option (14.50). Meat is plentiful and and has made the rice nice and oily. The cured pork belly may not be for everyone because it does have a dried taste. Also included are some Chinese sausage, a staple for any clay pot rice. The peppered beef is very nice, tenderized and very easy to go down. Also included are some sizable pieces of bok choy.

With the clay pots you get the option of a soup or a flavoured drink in the back park of the menu. I chose the white pepper pork tripe soup. It had a decent amount of pork parts and were tender. Broth was flavourful, but I would like a little more pepper.

As I said before I have been here multiple times and have been satisfied every time. Try it out, I think you will be pleased with this type of this Chinese...