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 an incredible 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 using the wrestle bus after we got here dwelling), and met up with some associates.

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 after 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 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 could be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be completely happy repeating least yr’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 submit, however these locations didn’t really feel like completely different nations… they felt like completely different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul have 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 completely happy. 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 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 ladies stayed wakeful 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 wish 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 might 100% advocate it for the superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked every part utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral link is here!)

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

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

We have been shocked to see whole 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 way of the night time and have been totally 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 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 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 full was $200. (I used Journey.com to e-book.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fort, 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 your complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively considered one of my high theme park rides.

Baseball recreation 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 recreation.

Baseball is HUGE in Seoul and a real cultural expertise. Every hitter has their very own chant and cheer, and your complete area is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent stage, too. They bought beers with an the wrong way up baseball cap that was full of shrimp – it appeared SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You can too 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 might be receiving its personal submit, 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 capable of maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Dwelling the dream:

Purchasing at Olive Younger

When you go to Seoul, buying at Olive Younger is a should. You may refill on all the finest Ok magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the most effective stuff. I used to be anxious we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it could be exhausting 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 finest to eat gluten-free as carefully as potential, however understood that it may be very tough – not every part 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 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 yr. (She was pink on her IgG check and he or she used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we minimize 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 in all probability have some in sauces, and so forth.

We have been capable of 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 form 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 every single day. 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 critically 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 completely different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and your complete 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 would 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 so forth.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we seen:

– Positively 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 straightforward to modify the language to English. The ladies know so many Korean phrases so that they have been capable of 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 limitations this manner – and you may see the precise fare.

You can too get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation if you happen to resolve to make use of public transport.

– Carry a little bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans are usually not in all places, so you could have to hold trash with you till you’ll find a trash can. Don’t assume that every one trash cans are public; it could 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 luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I payment like it is a higher option 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. It’s best 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 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 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 you could put on.

– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you will discover higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the lodge might 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 most effective wager 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 may’t carry CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at dwelling. I introduced melatonin however didn’t find yourself needing it. There are additionally some medicines which might be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so verify the rules 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