Today, I want to introduce a must-try experience when visiting Korea—the jjimjilbang. You've probably seen it in Korean dramas or movies, relaxing in a sauna. The spot I recommend is SPAREX jjimjilbang in Jongno, near Dongmyo Station, making it easy to get to. It offers various sauna rooms and plenty of space to relax all day. If you're looking to experience unique Korean culture, check out SPAREX!
[스팟] Korean Jjimjilbang (Sauna) | Sparex Dongmyo Branch
Our Visit
Today, I visited the popular SPAREX jjimjilbang in Jongno, Seoul. SPAREX is a full-service spa with saunas and hot springs, perfect for relaxing and relieving fatigue. As you enter, you'll find the front desk just past the hallway where you can get any help you need.
At the counter, you'll receive a towel and clothes for the sauna. The sauna clothes come in large, medium, and small, and the staff will pick the right size for you. Don't forget to take the red key you see there.
Because you can open both the shoe locker and the clothes locker with the red key! Look at the number and go to the correct locker to store your shoes first.
When you enter the sauna, the first thing you see is the store. They sell a variety of items needed for bathing. If you didn't bring shampoo and conditioner, you can buy them here.
The locker is incredibly spacious and tidy! After looking at the number on the top of the locker, find the corresponding number on the key and store your clothes.
The interior is really clean. There is a platform where you can sit and rest, and you can also buy and eat eggs. You can dry your hair and apply skin care products like toner and lotion in the center. However, please note that the hairdryer is not free.
Before you officially go up to the 'jjimjilbang', don't forget to bring a towel to make a lamb head! When you enter a 'jjimjilbang,' towels are essential because you will sweat and need to wipe off. Please make sure to wear it on your wrist so you don't lose the key.
This is a shower space where you can wash before the sauna or after finishing the sauna. The partitions are well set up, so it seems like water won't splash to the side. A shower is a must before getting into the bath!
This is a space where you can sit and wash. Koreans often sit while scrubbing or washing their face. Try using a basket and chair to reserve your spot.
SPAREX has a variety of baths available. This is a warm bath, where you can enjoy a comfortable temperature. If you're unsure where to start, try entering here first.
Next is a space called 'Aqua Tang,' kept at a comfortable temperature that's neither too hot nor too cold.
This is the cold bath, and just looking at it makes you feel chilly. If you get too warm from the hot bath, you can come here to cool down.
This is a dry sauna room where you can warm up and sweat without getting into water. However, be cautious—jjimjilbang and sweating rooms are not recommended for people with systolic blood pressure over 180mmHg, facial flushing, the elderly, pregnant women, those with high fever, intoxicated individuals, or anyone with excessive bleeding or weakened health.
This area, with its bright pink color, is where you can get a body scrub, which is especially popular among women. After getting a scrub, you’ll feel refreshed and clean, which is why many people love it. I recommend trying it at least once.
This is SPAREX’s pride, the 'Bulhanjeungmak'! If you want a real sauna experience and a good sweat, you should give it a try. Unlike electric saunas, Bulhanjeungmak is heated with firewood, making it extra cozy. Pouring water on the stones inside makes it more humid, quickly raising the temperature—a favorite for sauna lovers. I felt totally relaxed as the sweat poured out while inside.
Now, let's head down to the 'Jjimjilbang'. If you go down the stairs next to the shoe rack in front of the Bulgama, you'll find the Jjimjilbang right there!
I’ve visited many jjimjilbangs, but this is the first time I’ve seen a place with so many spacious and clean cave rooms. It seems to have far more cave rooms than other places.
They have spacious cave rooms that you can enter with friends or family. And the interior is really clean. You can also use an electric cord inside, so it's really nice for lying down with your phone or sleeping.
I also tried lying down in a one-person cave room, and it was so comfortable and cozy that they almost fell asleep. It's perfect for taking a break.
SPAREX has a spacious and well-maintained interior, which is a big plus. There’s also a second-floor area where you can get a full view of the place, making it easy to find friends or family. The interior is clean, with lots of room to relax and different sauna themes to explore. Let's take a closer look!
The first spot to check out is the Hwangto Jjimjilbang. As soon as you enter, you’ll notice the pleasant scent of loess, and the space is quite large. The temperature is just right!
This place is an ice room. As soon as I entered, the walls covered in snow caught my eye and it was fascinating. When it gets too hot from the 'jjimjil', try cooling down in the ice room for a moment. It felt like being in an igloo.
Now, the third room I will introduce is the Hinoki Forest Bath. As soon as you enter, the scent of hinoki wood makes you feel at ease. Isn't the interior design so pretty? It seems like a great place to sit comfortably and watch TV or have a quiet conversation.
Lastly, let me introduce the 'Salt Room', my personal favorite. The walls made of salt are beautiful and colorful, making it a visual treat. Even though the temperature is high, it's a great spot to sweat it out while enjoying the lovely interior.
There is a mirror on the ceiling, so you can take pictures. I also snapped a photo!
After finishing my jjimjil, I stepped outside to cool off. Comfortable chairs caught my eye, perfect for relaxing. Many people were enjoying a rest in these cozy seats.
Try sitting on the chair once; it was so comfortable that I naturally fell asleep. You can also stretch your legs and sit.
After jjimjil, when your body feels relaxed and softened, a massage chair is perfect for loosening up your muscles. It was incredibly refreshing as all my muscles relaxed.
For reference, the 'massage chair' is not free. You can use it by inserting 3000 KRW into the machine.
Wow, the city view is stunning with Namsan Tower in sight, offering a full view of Seoul. It’s amazing to enjoy such a view from a jjimjilbang!
Sitting in front of the large window and looking outside makes me feel good. The sunlight comes in and the view is nice. You can sit here and take lots of selfies and photos with the scenery of Seoul in the background.
Many people are napping on the mats in front of the large window. After spending time doing jjimjil, I started to feel hungry.
SPAREX has a cafeteria for snacks and a food court where you can enjoy full meals. Since I was hungry, I decided to head to the food court.
You can order food using the kiosk at the entrance of the food court, or there are kiosks inside as well. The menu offers a variety of tempting Korean dishes like Jeyuk Bokkeum, Sundubu Jjigae, Bibimbap, and Bulgogi. After some indecision, I went with Sundubu Jjigae, Bibimbap, and Jeyuk Bokkeum. Among Koreans, stir-fried pork and samgyeopsal are the most popular dishes. It's pretty amazing that you can even enjoy samgyeopsal at a jjimjilbang!
The food came out quickly. If you order at the kiosk, you can go directly to pick up the food. Don't forget to grab the spoon and chopsticks next to you!
Wow, the stir-fried pork looks so delicious. You can wrap it with lettuce and eat it. I put rice and spicy pork stir-fry in lettuce and made a wrap, and it was really delicious.
I also tried the hot soft tofu stew, and the tender tofu paired with savory eggs is a perfect match. The spiciness is a bit milder than Shin Ramyun. I found the soft tofu stew to be the most delicious and highly recommend trying it!
And it's bibimbap, a dish that represents Korea. The rice comes separately, so you can put it in and mix it well before eating. The vegetables were fresh, so the bibimbap was really delicious. I want to eat it again if I go there.
After my meal, I visited the gym, and I was impressed by how spacious and well-equipped it was. SPAREX guests can use the gym at a discounted rate.
I felt better exercising with the latest equipment and receiving sunlight from the wide windows. You need to change your shoes before entering the gym.
SPAREX even has a screen golf course, making it feel like a whole day isn't enough to enjoy everything. The golf course is spacious and clean. While there are no discounts for the jjimjilbang, the regular price is reasonable and worth it.
You can also rent golf clubs and shoes, so don't worry about the equipment.
There are wide screens and modern machines. I tried screen golf once and it was really fun. Should I show off my skills a bit?
After finishing our workout, we returned to the jjimjilbang and found a photo room. They even provide sunglasses and headbands for fun photo decorations.
There's also a towel hat shaped like a sheep's head. Isn't it so cute when we wear it and take pictures together? You can use this instead of a towel and take a picture.
Use the photo booth at the jjimjilbang to capture some great memories. After exercising, taking pictures, and having fun, I'm starting to feel a bit hungry again. How about a snack?
The snack bar sells a variety of cup noodles and drinks. Choose the noodles you want and enjoy.
I’m going to try sesame ramen, which is very popular in Korea. It’s not spicy, but savory and delicious. Just grab some hot water from the dispenser next to the cup noodles shelf, and be careful as the water is very hot when pouring.
Of course, when you come to a jjimjilbang, you should try sikhye, right? Korean traditional sikhye (rice drink) is made in a large container. It was sweet, refreshing, and delicious.
This is the classic jjimjilbang set meal, a must-try snack when you visit. It includes instant noodles, banana milk, sikhye, and smoked eggs.
Don’t forget to crack the egg on your friend’s head—it’s a fun tradition in Korean saunas. Make sure to hit it hard in one go so it cracks well without hurting them. Now, how about we learn how to do a sheep head towel wrap?
Place the towel horizontally and fold 1/3 of it.
Fold the remaining part into thirds.
Fold the edge and roll it up.
You can roll it about three times and then adjust the size later.
Roll the other side the same way.
If you do it just twice, it doesn't stay fixed and is too big. I rolled one side three times and the other side four times!
Spread the wet towel apart and wear it on your head like a hat.
A cute lamb head photo is complete! I had such a great time, and I feel like I could stay here for days. Enjoy delicious snacks and fun experiences at SPAREX Dongmyo!
How to Get There
Come out of Dongmyo Station Exit 6.
If you look to the right as soon as you exit, you'll see the SPAREX building.
Take the elevator up to the 13th floor an you've arrived at SPAREX!
[스팟] Korean Jjimjilbang (Sauna) | Sparex Dongmyo Branch
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