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jimjilbang Korea: A Complete Guide to Korean Saunas

pdt · 2026. 5. 14.

There is a scene you have probably seen at least once in Korean dramas or variety shows: people wearing sheep-head towels, drinking sikhye, and cracking open roasted eggs.

This is the classic scene of Jjimjilbang Korea, or Korean sauna culture. A jjimjilbang is a Korean-style 24-hour relaxation space where public baths, heated rooms, restaurants, and sleeping areas are gathered in one building. With an entrance fee in the 10,000 won range, you can stay and relax for hours.

If this is your first time visiting a jjimjilbang in Korea, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the layout and order of use to basic etiquette.

What Is a Jjimjilbang Korea?

A 24-Hour Korean-Style Relaxation Space

A jjimjilbang is a unique type of public bath and sauna facility that became popular in Korea in the 1990s. It combines traditional Korean heated sauna rooms with modern facilities, bringing together baths, saunas, sleeping rooms, snack bars, and even comic book rooms in one building.

Most jjimjilbangs are open 24 hours, and once you pay the entrance fee, you can stay for a set period of time. With an entrance fee of around 10,000 to 15,000 won, you can enjoy bathing, sauna rooms, and rest areas, making it a familiar everyday relaxation spot and family outing destination for Koreans.

From Hanjeungmak to Sikhye: The Unique Atmosphere of Jjimjilbang

The heart of a jjimjilbang is the hanjeungmak. Hanjeungmak refers to small heated sauna rooms made with natural materials such as clay, stone, or salt. It is a traditional Korean sweating method that has been used for more than 600 years. Unlike a regular sauna, it is not just a hot room. Each room uses different materials and temperatures, and each is believed to offer a different experience for the body. A typical jjimjilbang usually has four to six hanjeungmak rooms. The most common types are as follows.

Bulgama, around 90°C
The hottest room. It is a high-temperature room heated by burning firewood in a stone kiln, and you will start sweating even after a short stay.

Hwangto Room, around 40–50°C
A room finished with yellow clay walls. It is the easiest room to stay in for a longer time and is the most recommended option for first-time visitors.

Salt Room, around 50–60°C
A room where the floor and walls are covered with coarse salt. The usual way to use it is to lie down and rest with your back on the salt-covered floor.

Ice Room, around -5°C
A room used after moving between hot sauna rooms. It is designed to cool down the body and is one of the unique spaces often found in Korean jjimjilbangs.

Hanjeungmak: The Heart of Korean Jjimjilbang

Half the charm of a jjimjilbang is actually the food. Many Koreans say that food tastes different after your body has warmed up in the sauna. Snack bars usually offer affordable items ranging from around 3,000 won to 10,000 won, and you can pay with your wristband, then settle the total amount when you leave.

Sikhye
A traditional sweet Korean rice drink. It is served cold and is one of the most popular drinks after coming out of a hot sauna room.

Roasted eggs
These are eggs slowly roasted in a stone kiln until they turn brown. They taste nuttier and slightly saltier than regular boiled eggs, and the combination of roasted eggs and sikhye is the most famous jjimjilbang pairing.

Ramen and bibimbap
Korean snack-style meals are also available. Spicy noodle soup is sometimes treated as a Korean-style post-sauna comfort food, helping you sweat once more after the sauna.

Misutgaru
If you prefer something less sweet, try misutgaru, a cold grain-based drink. It is refreshing and filling enough to work as a light meal replacement.

💡 TIP : The sheep-head towel, or yangmeori towel, is one of the symbols of Korean jjimjilbang culture. It is made by rolling both ends of a long towel and wearing it on your head like sheep horns. It is worth trying at least once, even just for a fun SNS photo.

Jjimjilbang Korea: How to Use It and Basic Etiquette

From Entrance to Exit in 4 Steps

The most confusing part for first-time visitors is the order of use. Here is the basic process step by step.

Step 1 - Entrance and locker assignment
At the entrance, you pay the admission fee and receive a wristband, which works as an electronic key, along with jjimjilbang clothes, or a uniform. If you buy something at the snack bar, the amount is added to your wristband and paid at the counter when you leave.

Step 2 - Changing room and bath area, separated by gender
The bath areas are separated for men and women. You take off all your clothes, wash your body in the shower first, and then freely use the hot baths, cold baths, and saunas. Swimsuits are not worn, and towels are usually provided for free.

Step 3 - Change into jjimjilbang clothes and move to the common area
After bathing, change into the provided uniform and move to the shared jjimjilbang area. This area is open to both men and women and includes various heated rooms, restaurants, TV rooms, and sleeping areas.

Step 4 – Exit and payment
When leaving, return your wristband at the counter and pay for any additional food or drinks you purchased inside.

Essential Jjimjilbang Etiquette to Know

Since a jjimjilbang is a public space, basic manners are important. Here are the key etiquette rules to know before your first visit.

No photography in the bath area
Because the bath and changing areas are private spaces, photography is prohibited. Some places also ban the use of mobile phones entirely in these areas. It is safest to leave your phone in your locker.

Always shower before entering the baths
Going straight into the hot or cold bath without washing first is considered very rude in Korea. Wash your body with soap before entering the baths.

Check in advance if you have tattoos
Some jjimjilbangs may restrict entry for people with large tattoos. Small tattoos are usually not a problem, but if you are concerned, it is best to ask the facility in advance. For more details, check the Korea Tourism Organization website.

Keep quiet in sleeping areas
Sleeping rooms are shared spaces with dim lighting and mats on the floor. Keep your voice low, and take phone calls outside.

💡 TIP : Jjimjilbang heated rooms can be very hot. A bulgama can reach around 90°C. Do not stay in one room for more than 10 to 15 minutes, and drink water regularly to prevent dehydration.

Useful Tips Before Jjimjilbang Korea Visit

What to Bring and How Much It Costs

You do not need to prepare much for a jjimjilbang visit. An ID and a small amount of cash are usually enough.

What to bring

ID, such as a passport or ARC:

A change of underwear:

Hair tie for long hair:

Cost

Entrance fee:

Late-night surcharge:

Food and drinks:

💡 TIP : Still waiting to apply for your ARC? Check out our ARC Korea application guide.

The Best Time to Visit a Jjimjilbang

A jjimjilbang is enjoyable in any season, but there are certain times when Koreans especially like to visit. In winter, warming your body in a heated sauna room is a uniquely Korean experience.

In summer, many people visit jjimjilbangs to use the ice room and cold baths. Visiting a jjimjilbang after hiking in Seoul is also a common local routine. After a mountain hike, Koreans often relax their muscles in a hot bath and finish with a heated room session.

💡TIP : Curious about hiking routes in Seoul? Check out our Seoul Hiking 2026 guide.

A jjimjilbang is a uniquely Korean space where you can bathe, use sauna rooms, sleep, and eat with just one entrance fee in the 10,000 won range. The time you spend wearing a sheep-head towel, drinking sikhye, and eating roasted eggs will remain as a truly Korean experience that is hard to find anywhere else.

From small neighborhood jjimjilbangs to large facilities, there are many options to choose from, so try visiting one near your accommodation or along your travel route.