Last Updated on April 8, 2022
The best way to break the ice is quite possibly in a jjimjilbang (or Korean bathhouse). In fact, if you’re hoping to grow a little closer to your fellow military spouses, plan a trip to a jjimjilbang for the whole group!
Hold up, what is a jjimjilbang?
A jjimjilbang is a traditional Korean bathhouse used by locals as part of their health and beauty routine. Jjimjilbangs are also used as a place to release stress, as well as to socialize with family and friends.
Who can go to a jjimjilbang?
Absolutely anyone can use a Korean bathhouse. In fact, you’ll see whole families at the jjimjilbang – from young children to older adults.
So… what does this jjimjilbang experience consist of?
Essentially, there’s a process of how to “properly” use a Korean bathhouse. There are typically different rooms or areas to go where you will complete different steps of the process. Some of the steps are required, and others are optional. I’ll explain this in more detail below.
Where do I start?
First off, you’ll want to come prepared – meaning, make sure you pack a bag with the essentials and have an idea of what to do. If you have a local Korean friend, ask if they would like to go with you to show you the ropes (and offer to pay!).
But first, Get in the right mindset
First thing’s first. Before even thinking about what to bring to a jjimjilbang, you need to get in the right mindset. In order to fully take in the experience and enjoy its relaxing benefits, you need to go into it with an open mind.
My Experience Overview
I had no clue what to expect, but all I knew was I was doing this with two military spouses who I had never met before, one of their young daughters, and a local Korean woman who guided us through the whole process.
Was a jjimjilbang really where I wanted to meet these fellow military spouses for the first time?
YES! In fact, meeting or getting to know someone at a Korean bathhouse was the perfect ice breaker.
Granted, we were naked half of the time and at our most vulnerable, we were learning about the local culture and witnessing how “normal” this experience was for the local Koreans. Shame or embarrassment was not something that crossed these local’s minds in the jjimjilbang.
Having that reassurance based on the example being set by the locals really helped me to let my guard down and embrace my time at the jjimjilbang.
My Korean bathhouse experience created a friendship and also gave me the awesome opportunity to connect more intimately with the local culture.
My advice for first-timers? Set your doubts aside, let your guard down, and be willing to accept this cultural experience as a way to learn and connect with a different part of the world.
What to bring to a jjimjilbang
Now that you’re in the right mindset and ready to go, here are the things you should bring with you to the jjimjilbang:
- Korean won – some jjimjilbangs only take cash or Korean cards.
- Water bottle. You’ll want to stay hydrated!
- Comfy clothes or PJs (typically a change of clothes from what you arrive in)
- Soap, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, and anything else you use to bathe with.
- Towel – many jjimjilbangs will provide towels, but some do not. Better safe than sorry.
- Book. If going on your own, you may want a book to read while in the sauna.
- Hairbrush and any other hair products you use when getting out of the shower.
- K-beauty skincare products and a face mask if you would like (check out my FAVORITE Korean skincare products!)
- Lotion for afterward to lock-in that silky smoothness
- Makeup (if you’re wanting to get “ready” afterward)
The jjimjilbang process
Remove shoes
Upon arrival, you will remove your shoes at the front door and leave them in a cubby or provided area for shoes. Most smaller local places require this upon entry, others (usually larger jjimjilbangs) won’t require you to remove them until you get to a different location in the bathhouse. (Take a look around to see what others are doing or ask for help if you are confused).
Pay
You will pay at the front desk for the experience (typically under 20,000 won per person). Then, you will likely receive a towel and robe to change into.
Change
You will be directed to the sex-segregated locker room, where you will change into your robe and leave everything in your locker (be sure to grab the key and keep it around your wrist).
Sauna
Leaving your robe on, you can go explore the [likely] various saunas ranging in different temperatures and styles. Usually these are co-ed, though, sometimes they can be sex-segregated as well.
Some people prefer to shower before this, but it is not totally necessary.
Unlike typical “American” or Finnish saunas, Korean saunas sometimes have different rocks/minerals/crystals to lay on, mats to lay on, and some will have benches to sit on.
Be careful of how long you stay in the sauna – typically no longer than 15-20 minutes. Also, be careful of which sauna you choose if there are multiple. Some can be scolding hot – don’t feel like you have to go in.
If you are on your own, many people like to bring books in the sauna with them while they sweat everything out.
Shower
Now is when you really have to shower (no choice in the matter – you may be yelled at if you don’t).
Grab your soap, towel, and bathing supplies and head over to a free shower.
Get Naked
That’s right. There’s no getting around it. Strip down!
The bathing areas are usually sex-segregated, so likely, everyone around you has the same body parts and they’re all in the same boat. No need to be ashamed or embarrassed.
Although, it might be a new experience for you, try to avoid staring at others and just focus on you.
Soak
After your shower, you can go in one of the baths to soak. Some jjimjilbangs have multiple baths of different temperatures and pH levels (most likely at larger bathhouses), whereas some smaller bathhouses only have one or two baths.
Shower again
Once you are finished with soaking, you can either go back to the saunas or finish up by showering once again.
At this point, you may want to consider applying a face mask or other K-beauty skincare products.
Scrub-down
Some traditional jjimjilbangs offer scrub-downs for an additional cost. A woman will in the shower area or locker room will be available to scrub off dead skin you didn’t even know you had.
This can totally be super awkward for a newbie, but remember that this is that lady’s job – she’s seen it all.
Some places also offer oil massages if a scrub-down is a bit too intimidating. These can be way more relaxing.
Rinse, wash, repeat
At this point, you can repeat the steps by heading into the saunas, showering, bathing, and then showering again.
Change
Once you are all done and feeling squeaky clean, you can head back to the locker room to change. You may want to apply lotion to lock in that moisture before you leave.
All done
Once you are done, changed, and hopefully feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, you will return your towel and robe (either in the locker room or front desk), and can head back out to the front where you can thank the front desk and retrieve your shoes before departing.
Hydrate!
Not only during, but especially afterwards, you’ll want to make sure you are staying hydrated. Drink lots of water and consider using some electrolytes to replenish your body.
How to Find a Jjimjilbang in South Korea
The most ideal way to find a jjimjilbang is via a local who has been and can recommend one, but we aren’t always so lucky to find a local to help us out.
If you don’t have it already, download Naver Maps in your app store. This is one of the most useful (and at times, stressful) resources to have while living in or visiting South Korea. In the search bar, you can search for jjimjilbangs by typing in ‘Sauna’, ‘Spa’, or ‘Bathhouse’.
I’ll warn you, typing in these separate words will often bring up separate results, so it’s best to search them all if you are doing research on where you want to go.
Some popular bathhouses in South Korea are:
Dragon Hill Spa in Seoul
Spa Land in Shinsegae Centum City Mall in Busan
Osaek Carbonated Hot Springs in Yangyang
The more popular jjimjilbangs are quite fancy and a little less intimidating for newbies. Though, I highly suggest visiting a small, local Korean jjimjilbang for a more authentic experience.
Korean bathhouses to try if stationed at Kunsan Air Base:
Tower Spa Sauna
전북 군산시 미제길 8
Hyanghwachon Red Clay Sauna
전북 군산시 옥구읍 상평리 738
Why jjimjilbangs are great for children
On my visit to a local jjimjilbang in Gunsan, South Korea, I was speaking with one of the mothers who brought her young daughter along with her. The topic of bringing her daughter along came up.
She mentioned that having her daughter exposed to all different body types was really healthy for her to see – rather than just seeing “ideal” photoshopped bodies in the media every day.
Her daughter seemed so incredibly confident being naked in front of a number of women, while I was doing my best to cover up my flaws and the parts of my body that make me self-conscious.
It was truly eye-opening and inspiring to see how everyone in this Korean bathhouse strutted around with such pride and confidence in their bodies – despite their shape and size.
Why jjimjilbangs are a great experience for military spouses
Sometimes it can be hard to connect with other military spouses when all you really know about them is that your husband shares the same (or similar) job.
Going to a jjimjilbang is a fun, yet unique experience that really forces you to let your guard down and get to know someone at their most vulnerable. (Plus, you’ll have fun memories to laugh about later).
The jjimjilbang experience is a must for anyone trying to really immerse themselves in Korean culture. Although it may be uncomfortable, it will really open your eyes to new ideas and different ways of thinking or being. If anything, hopefully, you will leave feeling silky smooth and relaxed, but maybe, if you’re lucky, you may leave feeling more confident in yourself.
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