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 an incredible 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 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 after they go reside, I can add the hyperlinks to this put up.
Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate (this put up)
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 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 areas for this journey, and I figured it will be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first selection for a trip. (I’d be completely happy repeating least yr’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 put up, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different nations… they felt like totally different worlds.
The folks in Seoul have been SO variety and wonderful. The meals was unimaginable. It felt so very protected, 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 occasions throughout Tom’s army profession. All of our pals 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 feel that is the proper 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 wish 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’d 100% advocate it for the wonderful location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked all the things utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral hyperlink is right here!)
It was surrounded by nice eating places and outlets, and straightforward to get round.
I didn’t take a pic however the rest room had an unlimited waterfall bathe with nice water strain.
We have been shocked to see complete streets full of 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 way of the evening 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 a number of 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 entire was $200. (I used Journey.com to e-book.)
I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fortress, varied curler coasters, a drop experience, and plenty of outlets and meals stands.
We did the entire greatest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older children and adults – and spent your entire day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly one in every of my prime theme park rides.
Baseball recreation and Korean BBQ
We spent a whole 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 recreation.
Baseball is HUGE in Seoul and a real cultural expertise. Every hitter has their very own chant and cheer, and your entire enviornment is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They bought beers with an the other 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 may also 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 shall be receiving its personal put up, 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 have been capable of maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.
Dwelling the dream:
Procuring at Olive Younger
In case you go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You may refill on the entire greatest Okay magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an unlimited Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the very best stuff. I used to be anxious we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it will be arduous to get to, however they’re all over the place. We had three areas proper by our lodge.
Gluten-free eating in Seoul
On this journey, I attempted my greatest to eat gluten-free as carefully as attainable, however understood that it may be very troublesome – not all the things 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 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 incredible distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous yr. (She was purple on her IgG take a look at and she or he used to have dangerous 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 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 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-after-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’d eat totally different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and your entire 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 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.
Ideas for visiting and issues we seen:
– Positively be taught 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 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 cheaper 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 may also 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 all over the place, so you will 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 dangerous manners, so in the event you get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I charge like it is 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 routinely prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a unique nation and so they provide offers; Liv’s telephone 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 sneakers off in your lodge room. Normally they’ll have little slides by the door you can 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 lodge 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 device into these! The perfect wager 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 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 test the laws earlier than you go.
In case 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
