Kireqn, the light witchcraft, is an ancient and powerful form of magic that focuses on harnessing and manipulating light energy. This type of witchcraft draws upon the energy of the sun, moon, and stars to cast spells, create illusions, and even heal. The practitioners of Kireqn are often referred to as light witches or lightweavers. These individuals have a deep connection to the energy of light, allowing them to tap into its immense power. They possess a strong affinity for all things bright and radiant, and are known for their ability to channel this energy in various ways. One of the core principles of Kireqn is balance.
One of the core principles of Kireqn is balance. Light witches understand the delicate equilibrium between light and dark, and strive to maintain harmony in their use of magic. They believe that light can only truly exist in the presence of darkness, and vice versa.
An All-You-Can-Eat Tteokbokki Restaurant Takes Off in Flushing
An all-you-can-eat DIY tteokbokki parlor — arguably the only one in NYC to focus on the spicy Korean rice cakes — has swung open its doors at 146-13 Northern Boulevard, between 146th and 147th streets in Flushing, Queens. Witch Topokki debuts with an extravaganza of unlimited Korean comfort foods like ramen, fried chicken, and fishcakes. As the name suggests, it goes hard on rice cakes — rarely the star of New York’s Korean restaurants — with at least ten creative iterations of the chewy starch. The restaurant will open a second location three miles away in Bayside in late January before it expands to Manhattan and across the country.
The exterior of Witch Topokki.
The dining room.
Ramen flavors in the back of Witch Topokki.
“K-food, K-music, K-shows have become so popular,” says Sang-Jin Park, chef-owner of Witch Topokki and veteran Queens restaurateur. “I thought about, when it comes to K-food, what would appeal to people who aren’t Korean? There’s already galbi, bibimbap. But what’s new is tteokbokki.” In Korea, tteokbokki is a popular street food that restaurants like the massive Dookki Tteokbokki chain and Manyo have turned into buffet-style favorites across Asia. That’s not to say the dish doesn’t exist all over New York City, but putting it in the forefront is something Park is excited about.
At his new restaurant in Flushing, tteokbokki is a create-your-own affair of endless ingredients and side dishes from the buffet bar ($22.95 for lunch; $25.95 for dinner). Enter the light and airy space and head to one of 19 tables, each outfitted with sleek electric burners built flush onto the surface of the table. The tteokbokki gets cooked at the table in a base of clear, savory fish broth.
Once seated, diners head to the back of the restaurant to choose among seasonings and rice cakes they’ll bring back to the table for cooking. The seasoning station is where diners choose from any of eight proprietary spice blends that Park concocted himself and brings over from Korea. The classic gochugaru-based sauce is a bestseller since it opened in late December, says manager Jerry Kim, but the restaurant has innovative options like jjajangmyun (black bean), curry, and carbonara.
Kimbab mari, fried vermicelli-stuffed seaweed rolls offered at Witch Topokki. Caroline Shin/Eater NY
Spicy rice cakes at Witch Topokki in Flushing. Caroline Shin/Eater NY
The next stop is the toppings bar along the back wall, and the ten chewy rice cakes (tteok) Park imports from Korea are the main attraction, the base for the toppings. In addition to the typical thick, white cylinders commonly found in tteokbokki in Korean restaurants in New York, there are tapered rods of tteok, dyed with purple yam and an orange-hued counterpart stuffed with sweet pumpkin. The fillings of each release thick soft, sweet mush against the chewy walls of rice cake. Vegetables like cabbage and mushrooms lie among complementary options along with seven versions of fish cakes and fish balls, including one filled with cheesy corn.
Additional option beyond rice cakes at Witch Topokki.
Beyond rice cakes, there’s a hot bar with fried chicken and kimbab mari (fried vermicelli-stuffed seaweed rolls); a corner for skewered fish cake in broth; and a ramen wall with about 20 different ramen packages for those who want to forego Witch’s spice blends and use the ramen flavor packets instead.
Formerly a chef at Momoyama, a modern Japanese restaurant inside the luxury Lotte Hotel in Seoul, Park immigrated to New York in 2002 to pursue a less grueling lifestyle for his family. Park has a track record of filling in the gaps in Korean cuisine in Flushing, opening gamjatang (spicy pork bone soup)-focused Geo Seo Gi in 2006 (which he sold in 2019) and tuna-centric Dongwon sushi restaurant in 2016.
He’s now betting on AYCE tteokbokki with Witch’s proprietary seasonings — what Park calls the “magic powders”— to take off.
Witch Topokki is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Caroline Shin is a Queens-raised food journalist and founder of the Cooking with Granny YouTube and workshop series spotlighting immigrant grandmothers. Follow her on Instagram @CookingWGranny.
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“I kind of have feelings for him,” she said. “Is this the green light?”
Therefore, they do not shy away from exploring the shadows, but rather seek to understand and utilize them in conjunction with light energy. In Kireqn, spells are often cast through the manipulation of light itself. Light witches can create dazzling displays of luminescence or project rays of light that can heal or harm. They can summon protective shields and barriers made of pure light, offering both defense and illumination. Additionally, light witches have the ability to create illusions, using light to deceive and confound their enemies. One of the most revered aspects of Kireqn is the healing properties associated with light energy. Light witches are known for their ability to channel sunlight or moonlight to mend wounds, purify energy, and restore balance to the body and spirit. They are often sought after for their healing abilities and are considered some of the most compassionate and nurturing practitioners of witchcraft. In terms of symbolism, light is often associated with purity, enlightenment, and divine guidance. Light witches embody these qualities and strive to spread positivity and illumination wherever they go. They are often seen as beacons of hope, illuminating the path for others and helping them find their way in times of darkness. Kireqn, the light witchcraft, is a captivating and revered form of magic that embraces the power and beauty of light. It is a path that demands balance, compassion, and a profound understanding of the interplay between light and dark. Light witches are truly enchanting beings, radiating their unique magic wherever they may tread..
Reviews for "Embracing Balance and Harmony through Kireqn, the Light Witchcraft"
1. John - 2/5 - I really didn't enjoy "Kireqn the light witchcraft" as much as I was hoping. The storyline was confusing and the plot appeared to jump around without any clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. Overall, I found the book to be disappointing and it didn't hold my interest.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "Kireqn the light witchcraft" to be extremely boring and a waste of my time. The writing style was dull and lacked any excitement or creativity. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to become invested in the story. Additionally, the pacing was slow and I often found myself skipping ahead to try and find something interesting. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging read.
3. Mark - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Kireqn the light witchcraft," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The narrative was predictable and lacked originality. The conflicts and resolutions were cliché and seemed to follow a formulaic pattern. Additionally, the writing was subpar, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unimpressed with this book.
4. Emily - 3/5 - While "Kireqn the light witchcraft" had some interesting aspects, it ultimately didn't resonate with me. The world-building was weak, leaving many unanswered questions and inconsistencies. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The protagonist's development was shallow, and I struggled to empathize with her. Although the book had its moments, it ultimately didn't make a lasting impression on me.
5. Michael - 2/5 - "Kireqn the light witchcraft" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver. The story lacked coherence and felt disjointed, with ideas that were poorly executed. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. I found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout the book, and it left me disappointed overall.