Not the spa or sauna experience you think of in the west!
We are so used to spas, spa days and the opportunity to relax in a Scandinavian style sauna but Korea is very different. Korean Jjimjilbangs are such an integral part of Korean culture! They're essentially traditional Korean bathhouses that offer a variety of sauna rooms, hot tubs, and other amenities like massage services, communal sleeping areas, and even restaurants. The experience usually involves soaking in hot tubs, sweating it out in various sauna rooms with different temperatures and themes (like salt, charcoal, or gemstone saunas), and then cooling down in cold pools or showers. It's not just about relaxation; it's also seen as a social activity, where families and friends gather to unwind, chat, and bond. The communal aspect is quite unique and adds to the charm of the Jjimjilbang experience.
The Jjimjilbang, that’s the dry clothed areas usually for that co-ed 'dry sauna' experiences. It's usually in a central area between the men and women's changing rooms and sauna areas. Here you must be clothed, which isn’t the case in some of the areas. There is also the dry - salt, bamboo, charcoal, saunas - and ice rooms you can use, and some places have an outdoor foot bath area as well.
In the communal areas, you will normally find a restaurant / café area for you to have the typical Jjimjilbang food experience like the traditional hard boiled eggs and shikhye (sweet rice drink).
For us ‘foreigners’ it’s a whole new experience, but most Jjimjilbang's and Saunas are pretty simple to figure out and use. Admission is easy, and once you have paid at the front desk, they'll typically give you a bracelet key. Keep it on your wrist at all times and don’t lose it…
Next… you get a very …ummm…stylish… paid / free set of pants and a shirt to wear around the Jjimjilbang communal co-ed areas. Pop your stuff in the lockers assigned to you. There is a shoe locker at the entrance and then, enter the ladies or gents changing room, find your locker and change into your Jjimjilbang clothes, before heading out to enjoy.
Couple of things to think about…Your phones goes in your locker, so make sure if you are with friends or family to make arrangements of where and when you are meeting up., especially in mixed sex groups! This will prevent frustration and fighting in your party namely because some people think they need to go into the wet spa first before they go to the Jjimjilbang and half of your group are waiting in the communal area, while the other half is chilling out in the wet spa for an hour and a half without a care in the world. Food, drink, massage, or scrub services are extras, but you can either pay with card or cash or just tap your bracelet.
When you are ready, head back into the changing room, store your clothes and head into the sauna/wet spa. Now, this is the strange bit for us….the wet areas are single sexed and naked areas! Out of politeness for others and for hygiene, you are asked to wash before you head into any of the tubs. Don't dunk any towels into the water though. Again, strange for us, but the tradition seems to be to store them folded up on top of your head.
Once you resemble a prune, have relaxed, and eaten and drank your fill, time to shower, change back into street clothes and head back to reception. When you hand in your key you can settle your bill before leaving.
Other things to remember. Some are more expensive than others, some are single sexed, all have interesting garments, and all are family orientated. If you aren’t comfortable get naked you might not like them. They offer a variety of services from basic snacks to full buffets. People will sleep in them! And this is a Korean experience unlike any other I have tried…..
Would love to hear from you and post your stories after you have been and tried one for yourself!
