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 buddies! 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 bought there, however ended up driving the battle bus once we got here dwelling), and met up with some buddies.

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

Right here’s a listing of what I’ve deliberate in order that after they go dwell, I can add the hyperlinks to this submit.

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

Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary and suggestions 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 wished to start with an apology.

To my buddies 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 ladies picked the areas for this journey, and I figured it could be one thing that I loved, however it wasn’t my first selection for a trip. (I’d be completely happy repeating least 12 months’s 5+ weeks in Spain journey.) I didn’t count on to fall in love with these locations, however I completely did. This journey completely modified my life. I’ll share extra in my Japan submit, however these locations didn’t really feel like completely different nations… they felt like completely different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul have been SO sort and wonderful. The meals was unimaginable. It felt so very secure, and there was a lot to do. We might have doubled our time there and been completely happy. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of occasions throughout Tom’s army profession. All of our buddies who lived there beloved 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 ladies stayed unsleeping the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I believe that is the proper time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your lodge room is prepared, so in the event you’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you may. You don’t should wander round and wait till your room is prepared.

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

It was surrounded by nice eating places and retailers, and straightforward to get round.

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

We have been shocked to see whole streets full of little kiosks and cute retailers only a block away from the lodge.

We explored and met our new skincare bestie at TONYMOLY and P was exhausted, to we went again to the lodge whereas Tom and Liv grabbed dinner. All of us slept by way of the evening and have been totally set the following day!

We did so much whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed here are among the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside theme park. Liv advised 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 a couple of sights appear to be hidden, however there was a lot to do. It additionally blew my thoughts that bought 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 skin however image a fortress, numerous curler coasters, a drop journey, and many retailers and meals stands.

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

Baseball recreation and Korean BBQ

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

and a Dusan Bears baseball recreation.

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

Head spa and petting zoo

The top spa might be receiving its personal submit, however it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having probably the greatest spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they have been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Residing the dream:

Procuring at Olive Younger

When you go to Seoul, buying at Olive Younger is a should. You may fill up on all the greatest Ok magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an unlimited Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the most effective stuff. I used to be anxious we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it could be arduous to get to, however they’re in every single place. We had three areas proper by our lodge.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my greatest to eat gluten-free as intently as doable, however understood that it may be very troublesome – not every thing is labeled – and accepted that there can be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t converse 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 amazing distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous 12 months. (She was crimson on her IgG take a look at and he or she used to have dangerous abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we lower it out.) I informed 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 forth.

We have been in a position to eat at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each have 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 form 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 gentle 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 severely probably the greatest 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 have been in Korea and Japan and your complete time we have been gone, I felt superb. My power was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals have been all so extremely contemporary and scrumptious.

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

Suggestions for visiting and issues we observed:

– Positively study a handful of phrases however Google translate could be a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to search out that fairly a couple of individuals spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s straightforward to change the language to English. The ladies know so many Korean phrases in order that they have 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 preferred Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you may enter the placement – no language limitations this manner – and you may see the precise fare.

It’s also possible to get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation in the event you resolve to make use of public transport.

– Carry just a little trash bag with you. Public trash cans should not in every single place, so you might have to hold trash with you till you will discover a trash can. Don’t assume that each one trash cans are public; it could be owned by a retailer.

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s dangerous manners, so in the event you get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I payment like this can be a higher strategy 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 an alternative to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. You must get these on public alerts whilst you’re there, however it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping is just not a factor in Seoul, however you may add compliments in Uber.

– Name your telephone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a global plan. We normally do that earlier than we journey in order that we will have voice and information. We use AT&T and it robotically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a special nation they usually supply offers; Liv’s telephone was half off whereas we have been there.

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

– Take your footwear off in your lodge room. Often they’ll have little slides by the door that you may put on.

– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you’ll find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the lodge might be superb high quality.

– Korea makes use of European retailers. 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 most effective guess is to purchase a hair device there, go to move spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.

– You may’t deliver CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at dwelling. 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 test the rules earlier than you go.

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

Gina