Go! Go! Curry, a fast-casual restaurant specializing in Japanese comfort food dishes generously topped with a thick curry sauce, opened its first Houston franchise at 9889 Bellaire in

The concept that originated in Japan has eight locations in the United States, six in New York and one in Massachusetts; the Houston store is the first franchise outside the Northeast and is owned by Daxin LLC.

Go! Go! Curry allows diners to create their own dish with the house-made curry sauce paired with pork or chicken katsu (breaded fried cutlet), fried shrimp, sausage, gyoza, vegetables or tofu. Dishes are served with Koshihikan rice (a premium short-grain rice)and shredded cabbage.

Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Hear him on our BBQ State of Mind podcast to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture.