Mistletoe magic refers to the age-old tradition of hanging mistletoe during the holiday season and the magical properties associated with it. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on trees and has been regarded as a symbol of love, fertility, and protection for centuries. In ancient times, mistletoe was considered sacred by the Druids and was believed to have healing powers. It was also believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe can be traced back to the Roman festival of Saturnalia, where it was seen as a symbol of peace and goodwill. The custom of hanging mistletoe in doorways during Christmas originated in England in the 18th century and quickly spread to other parts of Europe and North America.
The custom of hanging mistletoe in doorways during Christmas originated in England in the 18th century and quickly spread to other parts of Europe and North America. According to tradition, if two people found themselves standing under the mistletoe, they were obliged to exchange a kiss. It was believed that the kiss would bring good fortune and ensure happiness in the coming year.
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?”
Mistletoe has long been associated with romance and love. It is often hung in homes during the holiday season as a way to encourage affection and bring people together. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe has become a popular tradition at Christmas parties and gatherings, adding a touch of magic and excitement to the celebrations. In addition to its romantic associations, mistletoe is also believed to have protective properties. It is said to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to those who hang it in their homes. Some people even believe that mistletoe can bring fertility and help couples conceive. Overall, mistletoe magic is a cherished tradition that adds an element of enchantment to the holiday season. Whether it is the anticipation of a romantic kiss or the hope for good luck and protection, mistletoe holds a special place in the hearts and minds of many during this festive time of year..
Reviews for "Mistletoe Magic: How It Impacts Wildlife and Ecosystems"
- Jennifer - 1 star - I did not enjoy "Mistletoe Magic" at all. The characters were one-dimensional and cliché, the plot was predictable and unoriginal, and the writing was just plain bad. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and there was no depth or development to their relationships. The romance felt forced and unrealistic, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. Overall, it was a disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone.
- Mark - 2 stars - "Mistletoe Magic" was a mediocre holiday romance. The story lacked depth and the characters felt flat and uninspiring. The plot was predictable and offered no surprises. The writing style was average, with nothing particularly noteworthy or gripping. Although it had some moments of charm, it ultimately fell short in delivering a captivating romance. I would only recommend this to readers who are looking for a simple, mindless holiday read.
- Emily - 1.5 stars - I was really excited to read "Mistletoe Magic" but was ultimately let down. The plot was incredibly cliché and offered no originality or surprises. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. The romance felt rushed and forced, with no genuine chemistry between the main characters. The writing was average at best, lacking any real emotional impact. Overall, it was a forgettable holiday read that I would not recommend.
- Michael - 1 star - "Mistletoe Magic" was a complete waste of time. The story was predictable and uninteresting from start to finish. The characters were unlikable and lacked any depth or growth. The romance was overly cheesy and lacking in any genuine emotion. The writing style was mediocre, with choppy dialogue and awkward pacing. Overall, it was a poorly written and unengaging holiday romance that I would not recommend to anyone.