Jjimjilbang
A Korean jjimjilbang is far more than just a bathhouse or sauna – it’s a unique cultural space where Koreans come to relax and connect with others in their daily lives. Here, you can experience firsthand how locals unwind, relieve stress, and spend quality time with friends and family.
The jjimjilbang represents a perfect harmony between Korea’s traditional bathing culture and modern entertainment, creating an open space where people of all ages can feel comfortable and welcome. During your Korean journey, make sure to visit a jjimjilbang at least once.
It’s an authentic cultural experience you won’t find in typical tourist guidebooks – one that’s deeply woven into the fabric of Korean daily life. Create unforgettable memories at a jjimjilbang and make your Korean travel experience even more special.
Don’t miss out!
We’ve included Seoul’s top 4 recommended jjimjilbangs at the end of this guide!
Intro
Introduction to Jjimjilbang
What is Jjimjilbang Like?
A jjimjilbang is a modern multipurpose cultural space that evolved from Korea’s unique bathing culture, where you can enjoy saunas, relaxation, dining, and entertainment all under one roof.
Korean jjimjilbang is a unique cultural space that’s completely different from typical saunas or spas. Originating from traditional Korean ondol (floor heating) and bulgama (fire kiln) culture, it has evolved into a comprehensive cultural complex in modern times. Think of it as a small city where you can find everything you need in one place.
The history of jjimjilbang is deeply connected to Korea’s hot spring culture, dating back to the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC – 935 AD). During the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), public bathhouses flourished under Buddhist influence, and during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), it merged with ondol culture to create Korea’s unique jjimjil (heating) culture.
Modern jjimjilbang began emerging in the late 1990s and has since become both a daily relaxation space for Koreans and one of Korea’s must-experience cultural attractions for foreign visitors.
In a jjimjilbang, you can enjoy various themed hot rooms and saunas that use traditional medicinal ingredients. Each room – such as the yellow soil room, salt room, charcoal room, and jade room – offers unique health benefits. You can also enjoy traditional Korean spa services like body scrubs (demilgi) and massages.
But the charm of jjimjilbang doesn’t end there. Most facilities have restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy signature jjimjilbang foods like eggs and refreshing sikhye (sweet rice drink). They also feature lounges for watching TV or reading, and sleeping rooms as comfortable as hotel rooms. Some larger jjimjilbangs even have entertainment facilities like PC rooms, karaoke rooms, and billiard halls.
Operating Hours
Most jjimjilbangs operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Standard usage time is 4-12 hours, with additional hourly charges applying for extended stays.
However, operating hours may vary depending on the jjimjilbang (Korean spa), so please make sure to check before visiting.
Admission Fees
Adult basic admission
: 8,000-15,000 won ($6-11)
Some facilities charge additional fees during late-night hours or weekends, so it’s recommended to check the rates before visiting.
Items Provided by Jjimjilbang
– Jjimjilbang uniform (top and bottom)
– Towels
– Bath amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body wash)
– Hair dryer
– Toothbrush and toothpaste
Items You Might Want to Bring
– Personal bath amenities (if preferred)
– Skincare products
– Underwear
– Makeup supplies
Highlight
How to Enjoy Jjimjilbang
Begin Your Korean-Style Healing
A Korean jjimjilbang is more than just a sauna – it’s a true healing space where you can rejuvenate both body and mind. Start by washing away your daily fatigue with a warm bath. After changing into jjimjilbang clothes, you can begin your healing journey by exploring various traditional medicinal saunas.
Koreans visit jjimjilbangs to relieve stress and recover from fatigue. One of the best features is that they’re open late at night and early morning, making them perfect for unwinding after overtime work or late gatherings.
Experience Various Traditional Medicinal Saunas
The highlight of jjimjilbang is its variety of traditional medicinal saunas. Each room offers unique health benefits that you can choose based on your needs:
Yellow soil room:
Helps with detoxification and blood circulation
Salt room:
Beneficial for skin care and respiratory health
Charcoal room:
Promotes metabolism and helps with fatigue recovery
Jade room
Aids in stress relief and boosting immunity
For first-time visitors, we recommend trying each room for about 15-20 minutes. However, be careful not to stay too long as you might experience dehydration or dizziness. It’s important to drink water and take breaks between sessions.
Try Unique Jjimjilbang Foods
One of the unmissable experiences at a jjimjilbang is trying its special foods. The most famous item is eggs that you can cook yourself. These eggs, roasted in the hot kilns of the jjimjilbang, have a unique taste that’s different from regular boiled eggs.
They’re especially delicious when eaten with refreshing sikhye (sweet rice drink) or sujeonggwa (cinnamon punch). You can also enjoy classic Korean comfort foods like ramyeon, kimchi stew, and rice. And there’s nothing better than fresh watermelon or fruits after a hot sauna session – they taste like heaven!
Rest in the Sleeping Room
The sleeping rooms at jjimjilbangs offer hotel-like comfort. They feature traditional wooden pillows which, although might feel uncomfortable at first, are known to be good for neck health. Most sleeping rooms maintain a quiet and cozy atmosphere, making them perfect for deep relaxation.
You can also spend time in TV rooms or book cafes, offering various ways to enjoy your leisure time.
Experience Body Scrub and Massage
Traditional Korean body scrubbing (demilgi) is a unique service that you can only experience at jjimjilbangs. Professional scrubbers use rough towels to remove dead skin cells from your entire body. While it might be a bit painful at first, you’ll feel amazingly refreshed afterward, as if you have new skin.
You can also enjoy other spa services like full-body massages and foot massages for complete relaxation.
Enjoy Entertainment Facilities
Many jjimjilbangs offer various entertainment options. In TV rooms, you can watch movies or dramas on large screens, and in manga rooms, you can read various comic books. Some larger jjimjilbangs even have PC rooms, billiard halls, and karaoke rooms, so you’ll never get bored. These facilities are especially fun when visiting with friends, allowing you to create memorable experiences together.
Tips
Insider Tips for
Jjimjilbang Like a Local
The Perfect Sequence for Using Hot Rooms
There’s an effective way and order to warm up your body in a jjimjilbang. Through years of experience, Koreans have mastered the art of alternating between dry and wet saunas to properly regulate body temperature. It’s best to start with rooms around 108°F (42°C) and gradually move to higher temperature rooms.
First, spend about 15-20 minutes in the yellow soil room or medium temperature room while wearing your jjimjilbang clothes to work up a light sweat. Remember not to raise your body temperature too quickly.
After that, take a quick cool shower and rest for about 5 minutes. Then, spend 10-15 minutes in the salt room or high-temperature kiln, followed by another shower and rest period. Keep repeating this pattern.
When using high-temperature rooms, it’s recommended to sit or lie on a wet towel. This protects your skin from direct contact with the intense heat. Placing a wet towel on your head can also help prevent headaches. Don’t forget to drink water every time you exit a hot room.
After repeating this cycle 3-4 times, you’ll feel your whole body becoming pleasantly relaxed and your fatigue melting away.
Finish with a refreshing cold shower and take at least a 30-minute rest. Having a cool glass of sikhye (sweet rice drink) or sujeonggwa (cinnamon punch) at this point is absolutely perfect for feeling completely refreshed!
Best Times to Visit
To enjoy your jjimjilbang experience to the fullest, choosing the right time to visit is crucial. Weekdays between 10 AM and 4 PM are typically the least crowded. On weekends and holidays, early morning hours from 6 AM to 8 AM are ideal.
During these times, you can enjoy the facilities without crowds and everything is freshly cleaned. It’s best to avoid Friday evenings and weekend afternoons as these are the busiest times.
Healthy Ways to Use Jjimjilbang
There are specific guidelines for a healthy jjimjilbang experience. First, it’s best to use hot rooms about 2 hours after eating. Avoid using them on an empty stomach or immediately after meals.
Don’t stay in hot rooms for too long – take breaks every 15-20 minutes and make sure to drink plenty of water. People with high blood pressure or heart conditions should avoid high-temperature rooms and start with lukewarm rooms instead.
If you feel dizzy or develop a headache while using the hot rooms, stop immediately and take a rest.
It’s Fine to Go Alone
Jjimjilbang is a perfect place to enjoy some quality time by yourself. In fact, it’s an ideal spot for some peaceful me-time. You can read books or listen to music in the sleeping rooms, and enjoy the hot rooms at your own pace.
During weekday afternoons, you’ll find many other solo visitors, so you won’t feel out of place at all. Just remember to keep your valuables in the locker, and stay alert when moving around during late hours for safety.
Special Tips for Foreign Visitors
Most jjimjilbangs provide English-language guides – just ask for one at the entrance or front desk. Recently, many jjimjilbangs in popular tourist areas have English-speaking staff members.
Particularly in areas with high foreign visitor traffic like Itaewon, Myeongdong, and Hongdae, many facilities offer specialized services for international guests.
Top 4
Top 4 Jjimjilbangs in Seoul
While Seoul has numerous jjimjilbangs, here are five exceptional ones known for their excellent facilities and accessibility.
1. Spa Rex (Goodmorning City Branch)
In Dongdaemun, Seoul’s shopping mecca, there’s a wonderful secret – the massive ‘Dongdaemun Spa Rex Goodmorning City Branch’.
The most attractive point is definitely its interior. While the exterior looks like an ordinary building, stepping inside reveals a magical new world. The interior, which modernly reinterprets traditional Korean hanok architecture, is truly impressive.
Beautiful pavilions, classic roof beams, elegant traditional windows, and even a recreated old-style kitchen make you feel like you’ve time-traveled. It offers an especially unique experience for foreign tourists interested in traditional Korean culture.
The facilities are impressively complete. Beyond the gender-separated saunas, you’ll find various hot rooms, a food court, and even a fitness center for one-stop relaxation.
The uniquely arch-shaped steam rooms are particularly interesting, divided into medium and high-temperature areas to suit different preferences. At the food court, you can enjoy all the jjimjilbang specialties from hearty seaweed soup to sweet sikhye and crispy roasted eggs.
Click ‘Here‘ to add it to Google Maps.
2. Riverside Spa Land
Want to experience traditional Korean jjimjilbang culture properly? Then Riverside Spa Land in Gangbyeon is the place for you.
This classic jjimjilbang, which looks like it could be from a Korean drama set, has recently been renovated to be even more pristine. The facilities sparkle under soft lighting.
From working up a healthy sweat in the yellow soil kiln to cooling down in the igloo room, the experiences are special. There are thoughtfully designed spaces like women-only oxygen rooms and men-only movie theaters.
This place is especially recommended for families. There’s a separate children’s playroom so parents can relax comfortably. Plus, beyond exercise facilities, there’s an arcade with pump machines and coin karaoke.
Why not release stress by singing in the karaoke room, then enjoy sweet sikhye and warm roasted eggs?
Click ‘Here‘ to add it to Google Maps.
3. Sinchon Supsok Hanbang Land
Looking for a resort-like escape in the city? Then Sinchon Supsok Hanbang Land is your answer. Located on the slopes of Ansan, famous for hiking, its biggest feature is the outdoor space.
After working up a sweat in the hot rooms, stepping outside to breathe fresh air while viewing Ansan’s beautiful natural scenery is absolutely wonderful.
Another special feature of this place, where you can enjoy nature year-round, is the Korean restaurant on the second floor. Here you can grill samgyeopsal, a Korean soul food that makes your mouth water just from the smell.
The outdoor charcoal kilns are divided into three temperature levels so you can choose what suits you best. Don’t miss the fun of grilling rice cakes and sweet potatoes from the shop over charcoal. In winter, eating sweet potatoes while looking at the snow-covered mountainside is especially delightful.
Click ‘Here‘ to add it to Google Maps.
4. Spa Lei (women-only)
Looking for genuine healing in the heart of the city? If you’re seeking an elegant retreat, we recommend Spa Lei. It’s a women-only premium spa where Art Nouveau-style design meets modern sensibility.
Its greatest charm is the beautiful outdoor bath in the middle of the city. As you soak up warm sunlight and breathe fresh air, you’ll feel like you’re at a resort. The outdoor bath is particularly effective for fatigue recovery, especially when repeated 2-3 times.
Inside, you’ll find spacious steam rooms and high-salinity seawater baths. But Spa Lei’s true charm lies in its luxurious amenities. Enjoy peaceful rest in cozy sleeping rooms and expert care in elegant massage rooms. The dining area is also special – particularly enjoying tea on the terrace, which offers a luxurious escape from city life.
Spa Lei aims to be more than just a jjimjilbang – it’s a premium spa for true healing. Why not spend an elegant day here when you need a special break from your busy routine?
Click ‘Here‘ to add it to Google Maps.