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 mates! How are you? I hope you had an incredible weekend! We simply caught up with home stuff right here, lastly recovered from jet lag (I used to be barely jet lagged after we bought there, however ended up driving the wrestle bus after we got here dwelling), and met up with some mates.

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 dwell, 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 wished to start with an apology.

To my mates 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 places for this journey, and I figured it could be one thing that I loved, but it surely wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be glad 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 put up, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different nations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul had been SO type 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 glad. 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 mates who lived there liked 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 proper time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your lodge room is prepared, so for those who’re completely wrecked and wish a nap, you possibly can. You don’t need to 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 superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked the whole lot 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 whole streets full of little kiosks and cute outlets 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 had been absolutely set the following day!

We did rather a lot 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 prompt 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 points of interest 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 ebook.)

I didn’t take a pic of the surface however image a fort, numerous curler coasters, a drop trip, and plenty of outlets 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 the whole 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 complete 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 the whole enviornment is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They bought 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. You can too herald your individual meals and drinks; so totally different from the States the place they drive to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.

Head spa and petting zoo

The pinnacle spa will probably be receiving its personal put up, but it surely was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having top-of-the-line 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:

Buying at Olive Younger

If you happen to go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to top off on all the greatest Ok magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an unlimited Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the perfect stuff. I used to be fearful we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it could be onerous to get to, however they’re in every single place. We had three places proper by our lodge.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my greatest to eat gluten-free as intently as attainable, however understood that it may be very tough – not the whole lot 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 need 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 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 in all probability have some in sauces, and so forth.

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 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 might eat this on daily basis. The bread was SO tender 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 significantly top-of-the-line 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 had been in Korea and Japan and the whole time we had been gone, I felt superb. My vitality was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals had 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.

Ideas for visiting and issues we seen:

– Positively study a handful of phrases however Google translate generally is 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 simple to change the language to English. The ladies 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 an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you possibly can enter the placement – no language limitations this manner – and you may see the precise fare.

You can too get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation for those who determine to make use of public transport.

– Carry a bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans aren’t in every single place, so you will 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 revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I charge like this can be a higher solution 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, but it surely’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

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

– Name your telephone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a global plan. We often 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 distinct nation and so they supply offers; Liv’s telephone 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 footwear off in your lodge room. Often they’ll have little slides by the door that you could put on.

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you’ll discover higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the lodge will probably 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 instrument into these! The perfect guess is to purchase a hair instrument there, go to move spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.

– You’ll be able to’t carry 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 laws earlier than you go.

If you happen to’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