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 associates! 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 received there, however ended up using the wrestle bus once we got here residence), and met up with some associates.

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 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 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 needed to start with an apology.

To my associates 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 selection for a trip. (I’d be blissful 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 publish, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different international locations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul have been SO type and wonderful. 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 blissful. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of instances throughout Tom’s army profession. All of our associates 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 women stayed awake the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I feel that is the right time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your lodge room is prepared, so in the event you’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you may. 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 might 100% suggest it for the wonderful 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 outlets, and simple to get round.

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

We have been shocked to see complete streets crammed with little kiosks and cute outlets 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 have been absolutely set the following day!

We did rather a lot whereas we have 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 recommended 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 just a few 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 overall was $200. (I used Journey.com to guide.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fort, numerous curler coasters, a drop trip, 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 youngsters and adults – and spent the complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one in all 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 other way up baseball cap that was crammed with shrimp – it appeared 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 pinnacle spa will probably be receiving its personal publish, nevertheless 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.

Residing the dream:

Buying at Olive Younger

Should you go to Seoul, purchasing at Olive Younger is a should. You may refill on all the greatest Okay magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the very best stuff. I used to be nervous we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it could be arduous to get to, however they’re in all places. 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 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 amazing 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 she or he used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we lower 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 most likely have some in sauces, and many others.

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 day by day. The bread was SO comfortable 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 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 might eat totally different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and the complete time we have been gone, I felt wonderful. My power was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals have been all so extremely recent 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 gadgets, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and many others.

Suggestions 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 just a few 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 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 appreciated Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you may enter the situation – no language boundaries this fashion – and you’ll see the precise fare.

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

– Carry somewhat trash bag with you. Public trash cans will not be in all places, so you’ll have to hold trash with you till you 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 in the event 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 need to get these on public alerts when you’re there, nevertheless it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping is just not a factor in Seoul, however you may 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 knowledge. We use AT&T and it robotically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a distinct nation and so they supply 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 lodge room. Often they’ll have little slides by the door you could put on.

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

– You may’t carry 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 can be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so examine the rules earlier than you go.

Should 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