8 steps to guide you experiencing Korean Bathhouse / Jjimjilbang (찜질방) without being awkward

If you are a fan of Korean drama, you must have seen the Jjimjilbang (찜질방) scene in the dramas.

In real life, Korean people do enjoy Jjimjilbang in daily life just like in the drama as you see.

These days, Jjimjilbang is one of the dating spot for Korean couples, a playground for friends play together, a refresh and rest area for family members to enjoy family gathering time.

It is one of the most unique to do lists for foreigners in Korea.

If you want to know more about Korean culture in a real way, be sure to make some time to fully immerse yourself in the Jjimjilbang experience.

What is Jjimjilbang?

Korean Bathhouse / Jjimjilbang / Sauna

Jjimjilbang, also known as a bathhouse or a sauna.

A Jjimjilbang (찜질방) in Korea usually has variety of facilities.

You can use a large, gender-segregated public showers furnished with cold & hot tubs.

And you also can try different types of saunas, such as:

Korean traditional charcoal kiln, pinewood sauna, crystal sauna, Seokbinggo..etc.

The walls of the Jjimjilbang are usually decorated with stones, woods, minerals, and metals, all the elements have variety of medicinal efficacies in the rooms. ▲

In some big size Jjimjilbangs, they have various facilities like:

Steam rooms,outdoor swimming pool, outdoor hot springs, SPA, PC bang (computer room), noraebang (singing room),cinema, arcade game room, playground, and sleeping quarters with bunk beds or sleeping mats. ▲

It's a good bargain to stay in Jjimjilbang

Jjimjilbang is extremely affordable for what you get!

The admission fee is around 13,000~17,000 KRW for 12~24hours.

Depends on the time of the day, the admission fee is slightly different.

(Every Jjimjilbang has different prices)

Just pay a little bit more, you can spend one overnight to have a good sleep in the Jjimjilbang instead of hotel.

Visit Jjimjilbang with Balckpink : Learn how to make sheep’s head 양머리

8 steps to guide you experiencing Korean Bathhouse / Jjimjilbang (찜질방) without awkward

1. Before visiting Jjimjilbang what you need to prepare

Make sure you pack the right stuff before visiting Jjimjilbang.

You can prepare body wash, shampoo, face wash, rubbing towel, body lotion, facial mask…etc.
(Some Jjimjilbangs provide body lotion & hair essence)

When you spend time in the Jjimjilbang, you will need all the above stuff for your own me time.

If you forgot to bring your shower stuff, you can also buy those stuff from the store in the Jjimjilbang.

2. Pay the admission fee first

As you enter the Jjimjilbang, you need to pay your admission at the front desk.

After paying the admission fee, you will get a set of casual Jjimjilbang clothes, it includes a pair of shorts, a shirt, towels and an electronic key with bracelet.

Some Jjimjilbangs have electronic key bracelet, you can use this to buy some Korean traditional snacks and drinks, or you can use this to do some additional services.

During your stay in the Jjimjilbang, the electronic key bracelet will count what you have purchased, you will get the bill before leaving.

3. Everyone get naked in the public wet areas

It's gender-separated, "남" for men and "여" for women.

Before showering, you can keep your clothes and other belongings in the locker.

It's a basic manner that you take a shower first before you soak in the bath.

Get a body scrub from Ajumma 아줌마 (older Korean woman) is a must try Jjimjilbang experience.

The body scrub (때밀이) from Ajumma price is around KRW15,000~30,000won.

(Every shop has different prices)

4. Enjoy the bathing

After cleaning and washing your body, you can enjoy the bath.
There are multiple baths with different temperature.
You can choose the temperature what you like.
Korean people usually prefer to try both super hot and super cold tubs.
This is good for improving blood circulation and skin.

5. Healing your body & soul

Try various of kilns (saunas) and enjoy the heat.

This is where you will start to sweat in the Jjimjilbang.

The heat energy of the charcoal kiln frees city people from long-term accumulation of stress and fatigue.

6. Satisfy your appetite with traditional Korean foods

Jjimjilbang sncks / Jjimjilbang foods

When you are a bit hungry, you can find snack bar in the Jjimjilbang.

Iced Sikye (식혜), baked eggs (맥반석 계란), cup noodles (컵라면) are all the must-try small foods in Jjimjilbang.

If you stay longer time there, you also can try delicious traditional Korean foods in the restaurant.

7. Relax and take a nap

It's time to take a good nap after your body is totally relax.

Most Jjimjilbangs are open 24/7.

If you are on a budget travelling in Korea, Jjimjibang is a perfect place to spend one overnight.

8. Settle the additional expenses

After you have had all the fun in a day, you can get your clothes in the locker and change it back.

Remember you paid by the electronic key for body scrub (때밀이), Sikye (식혜), baked eggs (맥반석 계란), cup noodles (컵라면).

These are all additional expenses, don’t get shocked when you get the bill for these.

You will receive the bill for the additional purchases when you return your electronic key to the front desk.

Jjimjilbang Important Tips
Make sure you make enough time to enjoy all the facilities in the Jjimjilbang.
Don't rush! Take your time to scrub, to put on facial mask, to bath, to pamper yourself. Let your body, mind & soul get a total healing.
Jjimjilbang is definitely a must-visit attraction in Korea.
Don't miss it when you travel in Korea!

Learn Jjimjilbang Korean Vocabulary

찜질방 [jjim.jil.bang] : Jjimjilbang
PC방 [pc.bang] : Internet cafe / computer room
노래방 [no.rae.bang] : singing room
수건 [su.geon] : towel
식혜[si.kye] : sweet rice beverage
맥반석 계란 [maek.ppan.seok gye.ran] : stone-plate cooked egg
컵라면[keom.na.myeon] : cup noodles
아줌마 [a.jum.ma] : auntie / an old woman
때밀이 [ttae.mi.ri] : body scrub / body scrubber
양머리[yang.meo.ri] : sheep's head

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