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 received there, however ended up driving the wrestle bus after we got here residence), 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 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 wished 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 areas for this journey, and I figured it might 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 put up, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different international locations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul had been SO sort and wonderful. The meals was unimaginable. 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 instances throughout Tom’s navy profession. All of our pals 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 wakeful 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 should you’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you’ll be able to. 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 resort and got down to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment resort and I might 100% advocate 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 lavatory had an unlimited waterfall bathe with nice water strain.

We had been shocked to see total streets stuffed with 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 the evening and had been totally set the following day!

We did rather a lot whereas we had been in Seoul, however listed below are a number of the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside theme park. Liv instructed 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 couple 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, numerous curler coasters, a drop journey, and many retailers 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 children and adults – and spent the complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly one in every of my high 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 enviornment is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They offered beers with an the wrong way up baseball cap that was stuffed with shrimp – it regarded SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. It’s also possible to 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 put up, however it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having the most effective spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they had been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Residing the dream:

Purchasing at Olive Younger

For those who go to Seoul, purchasing at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to replenish on the entire greatest Okay magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an unlimited Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the perfect stuff. I used to be nervous 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 resort.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my greatest to eat gluten-free as carefully as potential, however understood that it may be very tough – not all the things is labeled – and accepted that there can be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t converse the language, I didn’t need 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 12 months. (She was purple 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 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 forth.

We had been in a position to eat at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each had 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 each 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 the most effective 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 totally different meals whereas we had been in Korea and Japan and the complete time we had been gone, I felt superb. My vitality was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals had been all so extremely recent and scrumptious.

Our resort had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you would 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 forth.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we observed:

– Undoubtedly be taught a handful of phrases however Google translate is usually a useful gizmo. I used to be stunned to seek out that fairly a couple of individuals 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 had 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 inexpensive to get round than it’s within the states. We appreciated Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you’ll be able to enter the placement – no language limitations this manner – 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 should you determine to make use of public transport.

– Carry just a little trash bag with you. Public trash cans usually are not in all places, so you will 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 dangerous manners, so should you get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I charge 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 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 isn’t a factor in Seoul, however you’ll be able to add compliments in Uber.

– Name your cellphone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a world plan. We normally do that earlier than we journey in order that we are able to have voice and information. 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 had been there.

– Korean Air! That is what we used to get to Tokyo, and it was an elite expertise. Ticket costs had been very cheap,

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

– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at residence. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you’ll find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort will probably be superb 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 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 deliver CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at residence. 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.

For those who’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