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 wrestle 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 reside, I can add the hyperlinks to this put up.

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate (this put up)

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 needed 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 will be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be completely happy repeating least yr’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 put up, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different nations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The folks in Seoul have been SO sort and beautiful. The meals was unbelievable. It felt so very secure, and there was a lot to do. We may 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 navy profession. All of our buddies 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 ladies 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 for those who’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you possibly can. You don’t need to wander round and wait till your room is prepared.

We knew that it will 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% advocate it for the superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked every little thing 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 toilet had an infinite waterfall bathe with nice water strain.

We have been shocked to see whole streets crammed with 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 way of the evening and have been totally set the subsequent day!

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

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and out of doors theme park. Liv urged 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 number 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 entire was $200. (I used Journey.com to e book.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a citadel, numerous curler coasters, a drop experience, and plenty of 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 your complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one in every of my prime theme park rides.

Baseball sport and Korean BBQ

We spent a whole day purchasing 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 your complete area is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They offered beers with an the other way up baseball cap that was crammed with shrimp – it seemed SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You may as well herald your personal meals and drinks; so totally different from the States the place they power to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.

Head spa and petting zoo

The pinnacle spa shall be receiving its personal put up, nevertheless it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having among the best 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:

Buying at Olive Younger

For those who go to Seoul, purchasing at Olive Younger is a should. You may top off on the entire greatest Ok magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the most effective stuff. I used to be frightened we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it will be onerous 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 attainable, however understood that it may be very tough – not every little thing is labeled – and accepted that there could be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t converse the language, I didn’t wish to be tough 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 yr. (She was pink on her IgG take a look at and she or he used to have dangerous abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we reduce 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 in all probability have some in sauces, and so on.

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 type 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 may eat this on daily basis. The bread was SO mushy 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 among the best 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 totally 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 recent and scrumptious.

Our resort had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you may 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 on.

Ideas for visiting and issues we observed:

– Undoubtedly study a handful of phrases however Google translate could be a useful gizmo. I used to be stunned to seek out that fairly a number of folks spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s straightforward to change the language to English. The ladies know so many Korean phrases so 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 cheaper to get round than it’s within the states. We preferred Uber as a substitute of conventional taxis as a result of you possibly can enter the placement – no language obstacles this manner – and you’ll see the precise fare.

You may as well get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation for those who resolve to make use of public transport.

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

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s dangerous manners, so for those who get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I charge like it is 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 a substitute to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. You must get these on public alerts when you’re there, nevertheless it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping just isn’t a factor in Seoul, however you possibly can add compliments in Uber.

– Name your telephone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a world 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 routinely prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a unique nation and so they 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 affordable,

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

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you can find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort shall 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 software into these! The perfect wager is to purchase a hair software there, go to go 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 examine 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 might help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina