Seoul recap, what we did, and what we ate

Sharing a recap of what we did in Seoul, the place we stayed, and my ideas on the entire expertise. The nutshell model: I CAN’T WAIT to return.

Hello pals! How are you? I hope you had a tremendous weekend! We simply caught up with home stuff right here, lastly recovered from jet lag (I used to be barely jet lagged once we acquired there, however ended up driving the battle bus once we got here residence), and met up with some pals.

I’m so excited to share some recap posts on our journeys with you!

Right here’s an inventory of what I’ve deliberate in order that after they go stay, I can add the hyperlinks to this publish.

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate (this publish)

Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary and ideas for journey

What we ate in Japan

My Korean Head Spa expertise

Seoul recap, what we did, and what we ate

Earlier than I get began, I needed to start with an apology.

To my pals in South Korea and Japan, I used to be ignorant, and now I do know. I had NO CLUE how a lot I’d been lacking out. The women picked the areas for this journey, and I figured it might be one thing that I loved, but it surely wasn’t my first selection for a trip. (I’d be pleased repeating least yr’s 5+ weeks in Spain journey.) I didn’t anticipate to fall in love with these locations, however I completely did. This journey completely modified my life. I’ll share extra in my Japan publish, however these locations didn’t really feel like completely different nations… they felt like completely different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul had been SO variety and beautiful. The meals was unbelievable. It felt so very protected, and there was a lot to do. We might have doubled our time there and been pleased. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of instances throughout Tom’s army profession. All of our pals who lived there cherished it, and now I perceive why.

We flew from Phoenix to San Francisco, after which direct from SFO to Seoul. The flight was lengthy – about 12 1/2 hours – however I managed to nap on and off (the women stayed awake the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I believe that is the right time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your resort room is prepared, so should you’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you may. You don’t must wander round and wait till your room is prepared.

We knew that it might be a low-key day, so we checked into the resort and got down to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment resort and I might 100% suggest it for the superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked all the things utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral link is here!)

It was surrounded by nice eating places and outlets, and simple to get round.

I didn’t take a pic however the lavatory had an unlimited waterfall bathe with nice water stress.

We had been shocked to see complete streets full of little kiosks and cute outlets only a block away from the resort.

We explored and met our new skincare bestie at TONYMOLY and P was exhausted, to we went again to the resort whereas Tom and Liv grabbed dinner. All of us slept by the night time and had been totally set the subsequent day!

We did quite a bit whereas we had been in Seoul, however listed below are among the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside theme park. Liv recommended this one – she added her concepts to our journey planning spreadsheet – and we had a blast. We joked that it was like a speakeasy. It’s many ranges and fairly just a few points of interest appear to be hidden, however there was a lot to do. It additionally blew my thoughts that acquired 4 tickets with 3 skip the road passes for every of us and the overall was $200. (I used Journey.com to e-book.)

I didn’t take a pic of the surface however image a citadel, numerous curler coasters, a drop experience, and many outlets and meals stands.

We did the entire greatest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older youngsters and adults – and spent all the day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one in every of my high theme park rides.

Baseball sport and Korean BBQ

We spent a whole day procuring and exploring, and that night, we went on a tour with an English talking information to Korean BBQ

and a Dusan Bears baseball sport.

Baseball is HUGE in Seoul and a real cultural expertise. Every hitter has their very own chant and cheer, and all the enviornment is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They offered beers with an the other way up baseball cap that was full of shrimp – it seemed SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You may also usher in your personal meals and drinks; so completely different from the States the place they drive to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.

Head spa and petting zoo

The top spa will likely be receiving its personal publish, but it surely was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having the most effective spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they had been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Residing the dream:

Procuring at Olive Younger

For those who go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to fill up on the entire greatest Ok magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an unlimited Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the very best stuff. I used to be nervous we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it might be arduous to get to, however they’re all over the place. We had three areas proper by our resort.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my greatest to eat gluten-free as carefully as potential, however understood that it may be very troublesome – not all the things is labeled – and accepted that there could be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t communicate the language, I didn’t wish to be troublesome to attempt to modify the meals.

I’ve been strict gluten-free for 3 years for the autoimmune stuff and it’s made an incredible distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous yr. (She was crimson on her IgG check and she or he used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we lower it out.) I instructed her we’d simply do our greatest as a result of fortunately we’re not allergic to gluten, however we’d most likely have some in sauces, and so on.

We had been in a position to eat at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each had been A+ experiences.. higher than any of the gluten-free choices I’ve had in Tucson.

Sunnyhouse gluten-free restaurant in Seoul, Korea

Sunnyhouse has breakfast all day, sandwiches, platters and desserts. It’s sort of a hidden location however is extraordinarily cute inside.

P had a fluffy nutella waffle, a grilled cheese,

and I had the Mediterranean plate. I might eat this each day. The bread was SO smooth and fluffy. Why do US eating places have such a tough time making good gluten-free bread???

Monli2 gluten-free restaurant in Seoul, Korea

Monli2 has CHURROS, pizza, sandwiches, and baked goodies. I ordered a pesto pizza and it critically the most effective gf pizzas I’ve had in my life (#1 is Italy, #2 is that this one, and #3 is NYC).

I knew that I might eat completely different meals whereas we had been in Korea and Japan and all the time we had been gone, I felt superb. My power was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals had been all so extremely recent and scrumptious.

Our resort had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you can get American breakfast staples (like fruits, pastries, eggs, potatoes, bacon and juice) in addition to custom Korean gadgets, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and so on.

Ideas for visiting and issues we observed:

– Positively be taught a handful of phrases however Google translate generally is a useful gizmo. I used to be stunned to search out that fairly just a few individuals spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s simple to modify the language to English. The women know so many Korean phrases in order that they had been in a position to assist us out.

– The bus and subways are very clear and environment friendly, however we ended up utilizing Uber to get round. It was far inexpensive to get round than it’s within the states. We appreciated Uber as a substitute of conventional taxis as a result of you may enter the placement – no language obstacles this manner – and you may see the precise fare.

You may also get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation should you resolve to make use of public transport.

– Carry a bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans are usually not all over the place, so you could have to hold trash with you till you’ll find a trash can. Don’t assume that every one trash cans are public; it might be owned by a retailer.

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s unhealthy manners, so should you get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I charge like it is a higher option to eat anyway! In case your nervous system is calm, you’ll have a greater time digesting your meals.

– Google maps doesn’t work. We used Naver as a substitute to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. It is best to get these on public alerts when you’re there, but it surely’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping will not be a factor in Seoul, however you may add compliments in Uber.

– Name your cellphone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a global plan. We often do that earlier than we journey in order that we are able to have voice and information. We use AT&T and it mechanically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a distinct nation and so they supply offers; Liv’s cellphone was half off whereas we had been there.

– Korean Air! That is what we used to get to Tokyo, and it was an elite expertise. Ticket costs had been very affordable,

– Take your sneakers off in your resort room. Normally they’ll have little slides by the door which you could put on.

– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at residence. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you will see higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort will likely be superb high quality.

– Korea makes use of European shops. I’ve had these converters for years and introduced them on this journey. They work for laptops and telephones however don’t plug your hair dryer or styling device into these! The very best wager is to purchase a hair device there, go to go spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.

– You’ll be able to’t convey CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at residence. I introduced melatonin however didn’t find yourself needing it. There are additionally some medicines which might be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so verify the rules earlier than you go.

For those who’re headed to Seoul anytime quickly, you’re in for a deal with 🙂 I’m right here if I will help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina