Whether it’s your first time traveling to South Korea or you have been here before, there’s no doubt visiting a jjimjilbang in Seoul is a must-do when you’re in the Land of the Morning Calm. If you haven’t been to these spas in Seoul, Klook has got you covered. We’ll cover the 411 on jjimjilbangs: from etiquette, how to use, and the best jjimjilbangs in Seoul.
What is a Jjimjilbang?
First, a jjimjilbang is a traditional Korean bathhouse where you can enjoy different spa treatments. There are hot and cold pools, relaxing saunas, massage areas, communal sleeping rooms, and food areas.
If you’re looking for a place to meditate and unwind, a jjimjilbang can help you with that. Most Koreans incorporate a visit to one of these in their beauty rituals since a jjimjilbang can supposedly help in clearing out pores, reducing stress, improving circulation, and helping with weight loss. Now, that sounds amazing, right?
The Jjimjilbang Etiquette
There are various things to consider when you’re in a jjimjilbang in Seoul. We’re listing down some of the most important things you should know before visiting one:
- Wet areas of jjimjilbangs are segregated according to your gender. Males and females can only meet in the common areas.
- Don’t be afraid to strip down to your birthday suit. In wet areas, everyone is completely naked! Jjimjilbang pajamas are provided when you go out to dry areas.
- Scrub as you’ve never scrubbed before! If you want the ultimate jjimjilbang in Seoul experience, you can also get a scrub from one of the older Korean women or ahjummas!
- You can spend the night inside a jjimjilbang. Jjimjilbangs are usually open 24/7 and could be cheaper than an overnight hotel room.
- Silence is very important. Don’t talk too loudly, and be conscious of your tone. Don’t splash around in the hot baths to avoid disturbing other people.
- Don’t forget to bring your toiletries. Most jjimjilbangs in Seoul provide complimentary toiletries, but it would be best if you bring a pack just to be safe.
- Bring a hair tie if you have long hair! Hair should be tied when you go into the bath areas.
- You can do towel tricks (like the cute lamb head) with your complimentary towel. Ask someone to show you how to cover your head with cute towel arrangements.
How do I use a jjimjilbang?
The process of entering a jjimjilbang differs from one bathhouse to another, so there might be some for our list below:
- Enter the jjimjilbang and pay for your stay. Jjimjilbangs in Seoul usually cost from KRW 8,000 to KRW 12,000, depending on if you’re staying for the night.
- The receptionist will give you your jjimjilbang pajama, towel, key, and bracelet for the lockers.
- Head over to the changing room to find your locker. Make sure to leave your outside shoes and clothes, and other belongings.
- You then need to strip down and get ready to go into the wet area. It might be hard not to be shy, especially if it’s your first time at a jjimjilbang, but try to avoid covering your body while entering as this would make you more noticeable for people inside the house.
- Start scrubbing in the wet area, or get one from a Korean ahjumma.
- After scrubbing, hop into the hot and cold baths, and relax here for a while.
- Once you’re done with your soak, you can go take a shower and change into your pajamas.
- You can try the saunas now!
- Check out other communal areas or buy food to munch on while you’re here.
- Once you’re finished with everything, it’s time to leave. Settle your bill if you made any additional charges and collect your stuff from the lockers.
What services do jjimjilbangs offer?
Jjimjilbangs offer some of the best spa and facial treatments in Seoul! They also have varying levels and services, depending on which jjimjilbang you go to. There are luxe jjimjilbangs in Seoul that offer oil massages (prices start from KRW 30,000), total body scrubs (from 20,000 KRW), and facials with a full face mask (from 40,000 KRW).
There are also different types of saunas. They usually have a clear sign outside telling you what temperature to expect inside.
If you get famished after all the pool and sauna action, jjimjilbangs also have food stalls that offer convenient food to eat while you’re in the common areas, such as a bowl of ramyun, boiled eggs, and sikhye (a Korean sweet rice drink). A bit hungrier than that? Some jjimjilbangs in Seoul offer full meals such as bulgogi sets!
Where are the best jjimjilbangs in Seoul?
1. Spa 1899
Location: B2, KT&G Tower, 1002, Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Another spa in Seoul you can head over to is Spa 1899 in Daechi-dong, Gangnam! This local spa is known for its signature Red Ginseng treatments and highly-skilled massage therapists. Lots of different spa packages are available, and all of them are tailored to fit your needs and will help make your stress disappear. Aside from their full-body massages that will untangle knots in your body and relieve tension, they also have slow-aging, balancing, and full-care options that incorporate Red Ginseng.
2. Siloam Sauna
Location: 49 Jungnim-ro, Jungnim-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
At Siloam Sauna, your skin gets A-list service after a day of shopping and touring around Seoul. Its baths use natural germanium water drawn from 300 meters underground, which is said to be good for the skin. Aside from that, they also have medicinal hot baths that use mugwort and jade to bring nutrients to your skin. When it comes to its saunas, you’re spoilt for choice in Siloam — they have a wide range of hot and cold sauna rooms!
3. Traditional Oriental Forest Land
Location: 75-7 Bongwonsa-gil, Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Experience a traditional jjimjilbang experience right in the heart of Seoul at the Traditional Oriental Forest Land, where the primary source of heat comes from the constant burning of pine wood. A practice that has been used since ancient times in South Korea, it is now incorporated into Traditional Oriental Forest Land’s five-star service and facilities, which includes a salt room in the female-only sleeping room! If you get famished during your visit, you can chow down hearty Korean BBQ in their canteen.
4. LK SPA
Location: 지하 131 Eulji-ro, Euljiro 3(sam)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Sometimes touring around for hours can take a toll on your body. Bring joy to your strained body after hours (or days) of walking around when you visit LK SPA! Dissolve all of your exhaustions inside one of its three sauna rooms — maifanshi stone, loess soil, and fire, with temperatures ranging from 50°C all the way to 100°C. LK SPA also has hot springs of different infusions such as ginseng, jasmine, and red wine, which will help you de-stress.
5. Hwanggeum Sauna
Location: B1, 19-27, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
You’ll get the best massage and facial treatments in Seoul at Hwanggeum Sauna! You can book their basic sauna package (which comes with a gold bath!) and choose from one of the three massage packages: Chocolate, Pearl, and Collagen. Each comes with unique benefits for your skin: the chocolate package has an anti-aging effect, the collagen takes care of wrinkles, and the pearl package is excellent for those who want silk-like skin.
6. Dragon Hill
Location: 40-712 -dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Game to splurge for your jjimjilbang in Seoul? Dragon Hill Spa & Resort is a luxury jjimjilbang complex with a top-notch facility roster! Here, you're in for a rejuvenating adventure as you spend a day on its traditional charcoal kiln, pine-scented sauna, ice room, and outdoor bath, to name a few of the facilities. Safe to say, you can bid goodbye to fatigue once you're done with your stay at Dragon Hill Spa & Resort!
7. The Spa in Garden 5
Location: 10 Chungmin-ro, Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Have a change of scenery from Seoul's towering buildings and blinding billboards to The Spa in Garden 5's relaxing Roman interiors. Located inside a shopping mall, The Spa is a great way to escape once your feet are tired from retail therapy. One of this facility's crowning glory is its collection of sauna rooms, ranging from a cypress room that helps with atrophy to a chimney steam room that uses pine trees.
8. Insadong Hanjeungmak
Photo Credit: Insadong Hanjeungmak Facebook page
Location: 65-1 Unni-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Another traditional jjimjilbang in Seoul can be found in Insadong Hanjeungmak. Its traditional warm saunas are modeled after the traditional Korean sauna, usually seen in the jjimjilbang scenes portrayed in K-dramas. Insadong Hanjeungmak uses unique yellow archer stones and pine trees to heat the area and has its own chimney system, so the room won't smell like smoke. One thing to try while you're here is the traditional body scrub!
9. Riverside Spa Land
Location: 45 Guuigangbyeon-ro, Gueui-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
If you're looking for a jjimjilbang in Seoul close to public transport hubs, has massage and bath combos, and features different kinds of facilities, Riverside Spa Land is the one for you. The largest jjimjilbang in its area and conveniently located near Dongseoul Bus Terminal and Gangbyeon Station, it’s one of the most accessible jjimjilbangs in Seoul. Its spa facilities include a germanium-rich sulfur spa, an igloo area, and a silver pyramid room, but the fun doesn't stop there! They also have a PC room, a fitness area, karaoke rooms, a nail shop, and an in-house restaurant.
10. Spa Lei
Location: 5 Gangnam-daero 107-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Wanna try a jjimjilbang, but are shy about stripping down? Spa Lei is a women-only sauna — perfect for gals who would be comfier sharing a sauna with the same gender! This health spa in Seoul has three levels filled with spa baths, massage rooms, saunas, and even some snack bars and a restaurant to keep your cravings in check.
11. Sulwhasoo Balance
Location: 4F, 18, Dosan-Daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Looking to recharge on your South Korean vacay? Restore your balance with contemporary Korean medicinal treatments at Sulwhasoo Balance Spa! After your visit to a jjimjilbang, head over to this spa in Seoul and relax as you try out their famous beauty products. Choose from different packages, such as Vitality Care which is a four-layering mask treatment. They even have a lounge with natural daylight and peaceful music you can try out.
Cap off your South Korean trip by treating your mind, body, and soul at the best jjimjilbangs in Seoul!
