True rice cakes, as used in Korean food, aren't the Styrofoam disks that dieters often eat: they're chewy and tender, though not too soft. To find the real thing, haunt your local Asian market or bakery. The best time to get the fresh kind, which often come in two-inch ropes, is on the weekends.
Eating Korean food is an excellent way to avoid deep-fried foods, if you're on a diet. Unlike Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines, Korean dishes tend to be boiled, blanched, boiled, steamed, and stir-fried or pan-fried in vegetable oil.