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 once we obtained there, however ended up using the wrestle bus once 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 submit.

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

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 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 ladies picked the places for this journey, and I figured it could be one thing that I loved, but it surely wasn’t my first selection for a trip. (I’d be blissful 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 submit, however these locations didn’t really feel like completely different nations… they felt like completely different worlds.

The folks in Seoul have been SO form and wonderful. The meals was unbelievable. 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 instances throughout Tom’s navy profession. All of our pals who lived there cherished 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 unsleeping 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 should you’re completely wrecked and wish a nap, you’ll be able to. 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 superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked every thing 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 lavatory had an unlimited waterfall bathe with nice water stress.

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 way of the night time and have been absolutely set the following day!

We did quite a bit 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 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 guide.)

I didn’t take a pic of the surface however image a fortress, varied curler coasters, a drop experience, and plenty of outlets 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 children and adults – and spent all the day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly one among my prime theme park rides.

Baseball recreation 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 recreation.

Baseball is HUGE in Seoul and a real cultural expertise. Every hitter has their very own chant and cheer, and all the 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 crammed with shrimp – it regarded SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You may as well herald your individual 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 submit, but it surely 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 have been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Residing the dream:

Purchasing at Olive Younger

In the event you go to Seoul, purchasing at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to replenish on all the finest Ok magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an unlimited 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 in every single place. We had three places proper by our resort.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my finest to eat gluten-free as carefully as attainable, however understood that it may be very troublesome – not every thing 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 amazing distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous 12 months. (She was purple on her IgG check and she or he used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we reduce it out.) I advised 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 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 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 on daily basis. The bread was SO smooth 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 have been in Korea and Japan and all the 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 can get American breakfast staples (like fruits, pastries, eggs, potatoes, bacon and juice) in addition to custom Korean gadgets, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and so on.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we observed:

– Positively study a handful of phrases however Google translate is usually a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to search out that fairly a number of folks spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s simple to change the language to English. The ladies 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 inexpensive to get round than it’s within the states. We favored Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you’ll be able to enter the situation – no language obstacles this manner – and you may see the precise fare.

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

– Carry somewhat trash bag with you. Public trash cans should not in every single place, so you could have to hold trash with you till yow will discover a trash can. Don’t assume that each one trash cans are public; it could be owned by a retailer.

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s unhealthy manners, so should you get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I payment like this can be a higher solution 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, but it surely’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping is just not 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 often do that earlier than we journey in order that we are able to have voice and information. We use AT&T and it robotically 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 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. 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 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 wager is to purchase a hair software there, go to move spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.

– You’ll be able to’t convey 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 medicines which are prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so verify the rules earlier than you go.

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

Gina