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 after we acquired there, however ended up using the wrestle bus after we got here house), and met up with some buddies.

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 once they go reside, I can add the hyperlinks to this submit.

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

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 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 women picked the areas for this journey, and I figured it might be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first selection for a trip. (I’d be pleased repeating least 12 months’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 submit, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different international locations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul have been SO variety 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 pleased. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of instances 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 women stayed wakeful 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 wish 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 lodge and got down to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment lodge and I’d 100% suggest 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 retailers, and straightforward to get round.

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

We have been shocked to see complete 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 means of the evening and have been totally set the following day!

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

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and out of doors theme park. Liv steered 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 full was $200. (I used Journey.com to guide.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fort, numerous curler coasters, a drop journey, and plenty of 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 the complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly one among my prime theme park rides.

Baseball sport and Korean BBQ

We spent a complete 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 the complete area is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They bought beers with an the other 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 may as well usher in your personal 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 submit, 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 capable of maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Residing the dream:

Purchasing at Olive Younger

If you happen to go to Seoul, purchasing at Olive Younger is a should. You may top off on all the greatest Okay magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an unlimited Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the most effective stuff. I used to be apprehensive we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it might be onerous to get to, however they’re in all places. 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 tough – not every little thing is labeled – and accepted that there can be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t communicate 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 12 months. (She was crimson on her IgG take a look at and he or she used to have unhealthy 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 most likely have some in sauces, and many others.

We have been capable of 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 might eat this every single 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 significantly 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’d eat totally different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and the complete time we have been gone, I felt wonderful. 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 lodge 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 gadgets, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and many others.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we observed:

– Positively be taught a handful of phrases however Google translate is usually a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to search out that fairly just a few individuals spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s straightforward to change the language to English. The women know so many Korean phrases so that they have been capable of 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 may enter the situation – 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 in the event you determine to make use of public transport.

– Carry a bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans aren’t in all places, so you could have to hold trash with you till yow will discover a trash can. Don’t assume that every one trash cans are public; it could be owned by a retailer.

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s unhealthy manners, so in the event you get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I price like this can be 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. You need to get these on public alerts when you’re there, nevertheless it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping isn’t 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 will have voice and knowledge. We use AT&T and it mechanically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a unique nation and so they provide offers; Liv’s cellphone 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 lodge room. Often they’ll have little slides by the door that you may put on.

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at house. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you’ll find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the lodge will probably be wonderful 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! One of the best 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 carry CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at house. I introduced melatonin however didn’t find yourself needing it. There are additionally some medicines which can be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so verify the rules 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 will help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina