찜질방 – The Korean Bathhouse Culture!

A while ago, I went through all the different types of 방 or rooms in Korean and mentioned wanting to go more in-depth on Korean bathhouses; well, today is the day! A lot of 찜질방 are 24/7, with floor heating, sleeping rooms, sauna areas, full body scrubs, and much more to help you fully relax.

What is a Korean Bathhouse?

Bathhouses and the matching saunas have existed traditionally in Korea since the rise of Buddhism. But modern 찜질방, with multiple baths, relaxation area, and more, are more recent; rose in popularity in the 1990s. These are perfect places to unwind and relax after walking and climbing so many stairs around Korea!

찜질방 Step by Step

Korean bathhouses are luckily not too hard to figure out! Many popular ones will have instructions in English to help you along, and it’s pretty much a similar process no matter where you go.

Plan what to Bring

Jimjilbangs have a lot of basic items either offered or for purchase; shampoo, soap, towels, etc., so this isn’t necessary for most. But for people who need specific hair care, makeup wipes, cleansers, and so such; keep in mind to bring your own! Many Jimjilbangs offer overnight stay so also remember your toothbrush and night routine if you plan to stay.

Check in and Get Your Key

After paying, first up is to put away your outdoor shoes and get your locker key. This key will typically be attached to a spiral wristband so you can keep it safe and with you. After paying you’ll get your small towel(s) and 찜질방 outfit to be worn in the public areas.

Head to the Lockers

Here guys and girls will be separated. Most everyone is fine changing openly, and you’ll see many a nude person walk by, haha. Koreans are used to going to bathhouses with family and friends casually, so nobody will give you a second look.

For women looking to remove makeup before heading into the baths, you can go in to the side powder room. There are big mirrors, hair dryers, and a lot of women getting ready to go in or leave.

Wash up Before Bathing

Before the bath section, there should be an area with showers and/or sit-down washing to clean yourself off before going into the communal waters. This is very important to Korean bathhouse etiquette, so please don’t skip this!

Enjoy the Baths!

Depending on which bathhouse you’ve picked, you can see 1 bath option to 5+! Hot, medium, cold tubs; all nicely labelled with the temperature, jet baths, outdoor baths, and more! Take your time and enjoy. Many switch between cold building up to hot for its believed benefits for circulation and your skin.

Saunas and Body Scrubs

Many Korean bathhouses offer free saunas and body scrubs (for an additional fee typically). Saunas can range from traditional, red clay, charcoal, salt crystals, and more. As for body scrubs, be prepared to be rubbed raw! Many workers go hard on your skin, removing every dead skin cell; but the smooth skin is seen as worth it.

Go Rest and Eat in the Common Area!

This is the area you’ll see the most in Korean media; the large communal area for everyone to lie down and eat delicious sauna snacks. What additional you get can also depend on the location you’ve picked. Some might have multiple rooms; a TV room with lounge chairs, a gym area, even an arcade, and a play area for kids.

Koreans love to wrap a towel around their head here while relaxing and eating, so try it out!

What Are the Rules for 찜질방?

I covered them a bit in the above section, but let’s go into a more full and easier breakdown on the rules and etiquette:

• wash before getting into the baths, and tie your hair if it’s long before going in the baths
• everyone is expected to be nude in the baths, try to embrace it!
• bring only a small towel and toiletries with you
• be quiet and respectful, in the baths area and especially the common area as some people might be sleeping
• wear the given clothes in the common relaxation area, don’t change back into your normal clothes

For people with tattoos, be aware: Korea is accepting more of them but they do have a history of tattoos being associated with gangsters. But unlike Japan, they don’t have strict rules about it. Just expect some extra glances and maybe questions from older Koreans haha

Korean Bathhouse Snacks!

Last but not least, after your bath, sauna time, and scrub down, it’s time to eat tasty snacks in the rest area! Bathhouses will offer multiple snacks from ramen to bingsu but the two most popular and classic for a 찜질방 are these:

• 맥반석 계란 –  this is the most popular bathhouse snack; an egg slowly cooked over 5+ hours in the sauna itself
• 식혜 – a popular rice-based drink

How Long Can You Stay in a 찜질방?

Now, a very popular question (and its many variations): Do people really sleep there? How long are they open? Can foreigners stay overnight? and other such things. The answer is yes, many are open 24 hours and are alright with people napping or sleeping the night away.

In most bathhouses everyone sleeps on the floor on thin mats with square pillows. Though in some with lounge chairs, you might find someone passed out there as well. Storage for luggage or large items depends on the specific place you are going to, so make sure to check if you plan on bringing it!