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 received there, however ended up using the battle 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 a listing of what I’ve deliberate in order that once 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 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 ladies picked the areas 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 blissful 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 international locations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul have been SO form and wonderful. The meals was unimaginable. It felt so very secure, and there was a lot to do. We may have doubled our time there and been blissful. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of instances 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 resort room is prepared, so should 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 resort and got down to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment resort and I’d 100% suggest it for the superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked all the things 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 total streets full of little kiosks and cute retailers 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 means of the night time and have been totally set the following day!

We did so much whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed here are a number of 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 received 4 tickets with 3 skip the road passes for every of us and the whole was $200. (I used Journey.com to e-book.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fort, varied curler coasters, a drop trip, 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 children and adults – and spent all the day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one in every of my high theme park rides.

Baseball recreation 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 recreation.

Baseball is HUGE in Seoul and a real cultural expertise. Every hitter has their very own chant and cheer, and all the enviornment is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent stage, 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. It’s also possible to herald your individual 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 will likely be receiving its personal put up, but it surely 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

In case you go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You may refill on all the greatest Okay magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an unlimited Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the perfect stuff. I used to be anxious 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 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 troublesome – not all the things 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 need 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 incredible distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous yr. (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 minimize it out.) I advised 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 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 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 may 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 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’d eat totally different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and all the 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 resort had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you can 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 so forth.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we seen:

– Undoubtedly study a handful of phrases however Google translate generally is a useful gizmo. I used to be stunned 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 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 inexpensive to get round than it’s within the states. We preferred Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you possibly can enter the situation – no language limitations this manner – and you’ll see the precise fare.

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

– Carry somewhat trash bag with you. Public trash cans usually are not in every single place, so you will have to hold trash with you till you’ll find 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 dangerous manners, so should you get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I price 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, but it surely’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 global plan. We normally do that earlier than we journey in order that we are able to have voice and knowledge. We use AT&T and it mechanically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a unique 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 affordable,

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

– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at house. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you can find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort will likely be wonderful 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 wager 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 house. I introduced melatonin however didn’t find yourself needing it. There are additionally some drugs 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 might help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina