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 an incredible 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 house), and met up with some pals.

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 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 ladies picked the places 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 satisfied 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 variety and wonderful. 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 completely satisfied. 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 pals 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 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 when you’re completely wrecked and wish a nap, you possibly can. You don’t must 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’d 100% advocate it for the superb 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 outlets, and simple to get round.

I didn’t take a pic however the lavatory had an unlimited 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 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 the evening and have been absolutely set the subsequent 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 outside 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 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 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 all the finest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older children and adults – and spent the whole day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one in every of my prime 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 the whole enviornment is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They bought 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 can even usher in your individual 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 pinnacle spa shall be receiving its personal submit, however 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:

Buying at Olive Younger

In case you go to Seoul, buying at Olive Younger is a should. You may top off on all the finest Ok 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 frightened we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it could be laborious to get to, however they’re all over the place. We had three places proper by our lodge.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my finest to eat gluten-free as carefully as attainable, however understood that it may be very troublesome – not every thing 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 amazing distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous 12 months. (She was purple on her IgG take a look at and she or he used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we reduce 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 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 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 day-after-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 critically 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 completely different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and the whole 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 possibly can 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 many others.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we observed:

– Positively be taught a handful of phrases however Google translate could be a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to search out that fairly a number 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 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 favored Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you possibly can enter the situation – no language boundaries this fashion – and you may see the precise fare.

You can even get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation when you determine to make use of public transport.

– Carry slightly trash bag with you. Public trash cans are usually not all over the place, so you’ll have to hold trash with you till you could 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 unhealthy manners, so when you get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I payment like it is a higher technique 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. It is best to get these on public alerts whilst you’re there, however it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping shouldn’t be 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 are able to have voice and knowledge. We use AT&T and it robotically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a unique nation they usually provide 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 lodge room. Normally they’ll have little slides by the door that you may put on.

– Depart 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 shall 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 instrument into these! The very best wager is to purchase a hair instrument there, go to go 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 might be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so test the rules earlier than you go.

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

Gina