Posts tagged with "Korean sauna"

JJimjilbang (찜질방) Part 2

Posted by Ginny 1 Comment
Oct 22 2008

After you’re done sweating out your pores or soaking in a hot bath, you can leave those rooms to watch tv or browse the internet.  You can also eat or sleep in different rooms selected for those specific activities all without leaving the premises!  However, you have to be fully clothed to participate in these rooms.  The jimjilbang (찜질방) will give you a t-shirt and shorts without an additional fee.  Everyone will be provided with the same t-shirt and shorts, so don’t be alarmed about the matching outfits.  Also lots of places provide slippers so that you don’t have to walk barefoot.  You’re allowed to stay for 24 hours after the initial fee that you’ve paid.  After the 24 hours are over, you must either pay again to stay longer or leave.

Here comes my favorite part of the jjimjilbang (찜질방) experience: recommending my favorite foods.  To start off, I always eat a hard boiled egg and dip it in salt.  Eggs are a good source of protein and they prevent you from any having any fainting spells caused by hunger or dizziness from the heat of the jjimjilbangs (찜질방).

Anyone thirsty?  Then try some shikhye (식혜) pronounced as shike.  It’s a sweet beverage made from fermented rice.  It’s served cold so it’ll cool you down a bit after a long hot day in a jjimjilbang (찜질방).

If you’re still feeling a little stuffy I’ve got the perfect solution for you.  Try the patbingsu (팥빙수).  Patbingsu (팥빙수) is a very popular dessert in Korea.  It contains sweetened beans and ice shavings mixed with condensed milk, fresh fruits and a jelly like substance equivalent to gum drops but softer.  Sometimes it is topped with ice cream and is a nice way to end a hot sweltering day at a jjimjilbang (찜질방).

JJimjilbang (찜질방)Part 1

Posted by Ginny No Comments
Oct 22 2008

Today’s topic will be on Korean saunas or jjimjilbang (찜질방).  Korean saunas are quite enjoyable.  I always recommend my students to try it at least once, especially if they’re ever stopping by in Korea.  Jjimjilbang’s(찜질방) vary in size and quality.  Usually the most basic jjimjilbang’s (찜질방) charge about 10 U.S. dollars or less, while the more luxurious ones tend to cost around $30 and up per visit.

The most well known type of Korean sauna is called the hanjeunmak (한정막).  This sauna is cave-like with a heating system like that of a pottery kiln.  All you have to do is sit and relax.  This is paricularly good for people with poor blood circulation, back/joint pain, or stiff muscles.  I’ve tried it myself, and it felt like all my stiff muscles were loosened; so much so that I felt that I could have joined an acrobatic circus!

One thing foreigners should note is that you are required to take a shower before you enter the jjimjilbang (찜질방).  This means that you have to be naked; no bathing suits are allowed.  Showers are communal and separated by gender.  The first time I went to a jjimjilbang (찜질방) I felt so vulnerable.  Naturally you may initially feel very self conscious, but trust me no one is looking at you.  Everyone is preoccupied with the business of scrubbing and washing, so no need to feel scared.  What you should worry about is what hallway you enter. Remember that the rooms are separated by gender, and in some rural places the jjimjilbangs (찜질방) are not always labeled in English!

Since you’re going to be naked, you might worry about where you will put your clothes.  The answer to that is a locker.  Everyone is given a locker to put your belongings in, but you also have the option of letting them wash and dry your clothes for you, so it’s a full service!  Don’t bother bringing any towels, they are provided without any additional fee, but you might want to bring your own soap.  In many ways, Korean saunas have rooms that are much like public washrooms.  You may get a lady or gentlemen to scrub your back for you, but you have to pay an additional fee, which may cost around $10-30 per scrub. 

Depending on how luxurious the jjimjilbang (찜질방) is, you can also get a facial, a pedicure, a manicure, a massage, as well as some acupuncture work.  I’ve tried acupuncture and it’s not that bad.  I felt a little tingling at first, but once I got used to the pressure it was fine.  After all the needles were removed I could feel the relaxing effects of the acupuncture almost immediately.  After the acupuncture, I soaked myself in a green tea bath, which felt even more relaxing.

Want to know more about the jjimjilbang (찜질방), read the next post!

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