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 after we bought there, however ended up using the battle bus after 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 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 wished 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 ladies picked the places for this journey, and I figured it will be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first alternative 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 variety and beautiful. The meals was unbelievable. It felt so very protected, and there was a lot to do. We might 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 associates 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 women stayed wakeful 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 should you’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you possibly can. You don’t need to wander round and wait till your room is prepared.

We knew that it will 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 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 have been shocked to see total streets stuffed with 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 evening and have been absolutely set the subsequent day!

We did loads whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed here are among the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and out of doors 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 points of interest appear to be hidden, however there was a lot to do. It additionally blew my thoughts that bought 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 citadel, varied curler coasters, a drop experience, and plenty of retailers and meals stands.

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

Baseball sport and Korean BBQ

We spent a complete day procuring 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 degree, too. They bought beers with an the other way up baseball cap that was stuffed with shrimp – it seemed SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You may also 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 can be receiving its personal publish, nevertheless it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having among the best 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.

Dwelling the dream:

Procuring at Olive Younger

When you go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You may top off on the entire finest Okay 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 fearful we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it will be onerous to get to, however they’re in every single place. We had three places proper by our lodge.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my finest to eat gluten-free as intently as attainable, however understood that it may be very troublesome – not the whole lot is labeled – and accepted that there can be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t communicate 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 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 advised 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 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 might eat this each 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 among the best 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 whole time we have been gone, I felt superb. My power was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals have been all so extremely contemporary and scrumptious.

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

Suggestions for visiting and issues we seen:

– Positively study 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 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 a substitute of conventional taxis as a result of you possibly can enter the placement – no language limitations this fashion – and you may see the precise fare.

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

– Carry a bit of trash bag with you. Public trash cans usually are not in every single place, so you might 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 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 a substitute to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. You need to get these on public alerts whilst 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 cellphone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a global 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 robotically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a distinct nation they usually 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 cheap,

– Take your footwear off in your lodge room. Often they’ll have little slides by the door that you would be able to 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 lodge can 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 go spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.

– You may’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 are 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 also help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina