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 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 dwelling), and met up with some pals.

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 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 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 women picked the places for this journey, and I figured it will be one thing that I loved, however it wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be joyful 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 submit, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different international locations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The folks in Seoul have been SO form and beautiful. 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 joyful. 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 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 conscious the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I believe that is the right time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your resort room is prepared, so when you’re completely wrecked and wish a nap, you’ll be able to. 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’d 100% advocate it for the superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked every part 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 rest room had an infinite waterfall bathe with nice water strain.

We have been shocked to see complete streets stuffed 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 way of 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 a few of the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside theme park. Liv advised 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 acquired 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 fortress, numerous curler coasters, a drop journey, 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 children and adults – and spent your complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly one in all 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 your complete enviornment is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They offered beers with an the other way up baseball cap that was stuffed with shrimp – it seemed SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. It’s also possible to herald your personal 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 top spa will probably be receiving its personal submit, however it 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 have been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Dwelling the dream:

Purchasing at Olive Younger

In case you go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You possibly can replenish on all the greatest Okay magnificence merchandise at superb 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 exhausting 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 carefully as attainable, however understood that it may be very tough – not every part 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 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 incredible distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous yr. (She was pink 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 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 in all probability have some in sauces, and so on.

We have been in a position to 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 might eat this day-after-day. The bread was SO delicate 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 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’d eat totally different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and your complete time we have been gone, I felt superb. My vitality was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals have been all so extremely contemporary 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.

Suggestions 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 seek out that fairly a number of folks spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s simple to change the language to English. The women know so many Korean phrases in order that they have 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 cheaper to get round than it’s within the states. We preferred Uber as a substitute of conventional taxis as a result of you’ll be able to enter the situation – no language limitations this fashion – and you may see the precise fare.

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

– Carry a little bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans are usually not in every single place, so you will have to hold trash with you till yow will discover a trash can. Don’t assume that every 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 this can be 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 a substitute to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. You must get these on public alerts whilst you’re there, however it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping will not be a factor in Seoul, however you’ll be able to add compliments in Uber.

– Name your telephone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a world plan. We often do that earlier than we journey in order that we will have voice and information. We use AT&T and it mechanically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a distinct 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 cheap,

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

– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of one can find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort 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 device into these! The very best wager is to purchase a hair device there, go to go spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.

– You possibly can’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 drugs which are 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