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 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 received there, however ended up using the battle bus once 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 stay, I can add the hyperlinks to this publish.

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

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 places for this journey, and I figured it will be one thing that I loved, however it wasn’t my first selection 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 publish, however these locations didn’t really feel like completely different nations… they felt like completely different worlds.

The folks in Seoul have been SO variety and beautiful. The meals was unbelievable. It felt so very secure, and there was a lot to do. We might 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 conscious 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 in the event you’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 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% 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 toilet had an infinite waterfall bathe with nice water strain.

We have been shocked to see total 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 the evening and have been absolutely set the following day!

We did rather a lot whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed below are among the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside 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 a number of points of interest 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 entire was $200. (I used Journey.com to e book.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fortress, varied curler coasters, a drop trip, 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 the complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one in every of my high 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 complete area is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They offered beers with an the wrong way up baseball cap that was crammed with shrimp – it appeared SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You can even herald your personal meals and drinks; so completely different from the States the place they pressure to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.

Head spa and petting zoo

The pinnacle spa shall be receiving its personal publish, however it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having probably the greatest 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:

Procuring at Olive Younger

If you happen to go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to fill up on the entire greatest Ok magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the very best stuff. I used to be frightened we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it will be laborious to get to, however they’re in every single place. We had three places proper by our resort.

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 troublesome – not the whole lot 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 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 lower 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 so on.

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 daily. 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 probably the greatest 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 completely different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and the complete time we have been gone, I felt wonderful. My vitality 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 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 so on.

Ideas 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 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 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 appreciated Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you possibly can enter the situation – no language limitations 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 in the event you resolve to make use of public transport.

– Carry slightly trash bag with you. Public trash cans usually are not in every single place, so you could 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 in the event you get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I payment 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 an alternative to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. It’s best to get these on public alerts when you’re there, however 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 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 routinely 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 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 which you can put on.

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at house. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you will see that higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort 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 software into these! The most effective guess 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’ll be able to’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 drugs which can be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so examine 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 may also help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina