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 obtained there, however ended up driving the battle bus after we got here residence), 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 after they go dwell, 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 wished 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 areas 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 pleased repeating least 12 months’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 completely different international locations… they felt like completely different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul had been SO type and beautiful. The meals was unbelievable. It felt so very protected, and there was a lot to do. We may have doubled our time there and been pleased. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of occasions throughout Tom’s navy 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 awake 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 for those who’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 resort and got down to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment resort and I might 100% advocate it for the wonderful 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 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 whole 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 way of the evening and had been absolutely set the subsequent day!

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

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside 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 couple of sights appear to be hidden, however there was a lot to do. It additionally blew my thoughts that obtained 4 tickets with 3 skip the road passes for every of us and the whole was $200. (I used Journey.com to ebook.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fortress, numerous curler coasters, a drop experience, and plenty of retailers and meals stands.

We did all the finest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older youngsters and adults – and spent the whole day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one in every of my prime theme park rides.

Baseball sport and Korean BBQ

We spent a complete day buying 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 whole 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 stuffed with shrimp – it appeared SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You may as well herald your personal meals and drinks; so completely 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 shall be receiving its personal publish, nevertheless it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having among the finest 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.

Dwelling the dream:

Buying at Olive Younger

When you go to Seoul, buying at Olive Younger is a should. You possibly can refill on all the finest Ok magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all one of the best stuff. I used to be nervous 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 areas proper by our resort.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my finest to eat gluten-free as intently as doable, however understood that it may be very tough – 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 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 crimson 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 minimize it out.) I informed 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 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 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 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 severely among the finest 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 had been in Korea and Japan and the whole 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 contemporary and scrumptious.

Our resort had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you might 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:

– Positively be taught a handful of phrases however Google translate generally is a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to search out that fairly a couple of individuals spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s simple to modify 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 favored Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you possibly can enter the placement – no language limitations this fashion – and you’ll see the precise fare.

You may as well get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation for those who determine to make use of public transport.

– Carry somewhat trash bag with you. Public trash cans aren’t all over the place, so you could have to hold trash with you till you will discover 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 unhealthy manners, so for those who get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I price like this can be a higher method 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 when you’re there, nevertheless 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 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 robotically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a distinct nation they usually supply 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 affordable,

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

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

– You possibly can’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 might be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so verify the laws earlier than you go.

When you’re headed to Seoul anytime quickly, you’re in for a deal with 🙂 I’m right here if I may help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina