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 driving 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 reside, I can add the hyperlinks to this publish.

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

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 women picked the places for this journey, and I figured it could be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be blissful repeating least yr’s 5+ weeks in Spain journey.) I didn’t anticipate 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 totally different nations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul had been SO variety and beautiful. 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 occasions throughout Tom’s army profession. All of our buddies 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 ladies stayed conscious the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I feel that is the proper time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your lodge room is prepared, so if you happen to’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you possibly can. You don’t should 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% suggest it for the superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked all the pieces utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral link is here!)

It was surrounded by nice eating places and retailers, and simple to get round.

I didn’t take a pic however the toilet had an infinite waterfall bathe with nice water stress.

We had been shocked to see complete streets full of little kiosks and cute retailers 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 means of the night time and had been totally set the subsequent day!

We did lots whereas we had been in Seoul, however listed here are a number of the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside theme park. Liv prompt 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 citadel, numerous curler coasters, a drop journey, and plenty of 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 youngsters and adults – and spent all the day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one among my prime theme park rides.

Baseball sport and Korean BBQ

We spent a whole 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 all the area is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent stage, too. They offered beers with an the wrong 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 usher in 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 top spa shall be receiving its personal publish, nevertheless 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 had been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Residing the dream:

Buying at Olive Younger

If you happen to go to Seoul, purchasing at Olive Younger is a should. You possibly can fill up on all the greatest Okay magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an infinite 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 onerous 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 greatest to eat gluten-free as intently as potential, however understood that it may be very tough – not all the pieces 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 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 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 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 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 type 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 day by day. 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 critically 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’d eat totally different meals whereas we had been in Korea and Japan and all the time we had been gone, I felt wonderful. My power was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals had been all so extremely contemporary and scrumptious.

Our lodge had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you could possibly 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.

Ideas for visiting and issues we seen:

– Undoubtedly 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 simple to change the language to English. The women know so many Korean phrases so 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 possibly can enter the situation – no language obstacles 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 if you happen to determine to make use of public transport.

– Carry somewhat 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 every one trash cans are public; it might be owned by a retailer.

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s unhealthy manners, so if you happen to get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I payment 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, nevertheless 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 world 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 mechanically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a special nation and so they provide offers; Liv’s telephone 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 lodge 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 lodge shall 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 software into these! One of the best 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 possibly can’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 might 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