Traditional bathhouses are an essential part of contemporary South Korean culture and one of the country's top experiences. South Korea's bathhouses attract grandmas and young couples alike. It wouldn't be odd for a group of friends to meet up at a jjimjilbang on a Friday night โ call it a spa date, but a surprisingly affordable one.
Most places have different day and evening entry fees, with the latter being a little higher. More elaborate joints have restaurants, outdoor swimming pools, hair and nail salons, and karaoke rooms in addition to the usual baths and saunas. These spas have an unspoken code of manners and customs, which can make a first-time visit intimidating for foreign travelers.
Here's our guide to towel techniques and Korean bathhouse etiquette to help you experience the jjimjilbang like a local. The first thing you're likely to see when you walk in the door is a wall of small lockers. These are for your shoes, so slip them inside and take your locker key back to the front desk. Pay the entry fee the price should be posted at the reception desk and hand over your shoe locker key.
In exchange, you'll be given a new locker key for the changing room sometimes the first key is used for both , plus a towel and a pair of cotton pajamas. Many jjimjilbang use electronic keys or wristbands, which are also used to record the fees for any additional services. Otherwise, the staff will note your locker key number if you add any services inside such as a scrub or massage and bill you at the end.
It's increasingly common for jjimjilbang to have automated check-in kiosks where you can pay the entry fee and get a key or wristband without going to the front desk.
