What is customary for baths in South Korea?

Question

I'm going to South Korea and I heard going to a traditional bath house is a must but I don't want to do anything wrong. What are the customs (as in what do I wear, is it mixed or single s*x, should I get something special or just have a bath). Also can anyone recommend a good place to go in Seoul?

Answer 1

1) There are hundreds and thousands (probably millions) of bath houses tucked into Seoul. You walk out and bingo it will be there. Ask if you can't see any signs (although they would be in Korean) - It's Mok-Yok-Taang.

2) Once you walk into the bath house, you will see a reception area. You get your ticket (possibly towels and soaps - if you don't have your own and a T-shirt if you are at a combined bath and sauna place)

3) Go to Women's section (presuming... you are a girl?) or men's (if you are a guy).

4) Strip. As in take EVERYTHING off. You will be assigned a locker at the reception desk and would have a key. The key will have a number on it and you have to find the corresponding locker.

5) Take in your shampoo, etc (toiletries).

6) When you walk in, you should see a series of shower booths, rooms (little rooms for sauna and various other herbal treatment or even massage), and also series of different sizes of bath (kind of like Roman bath tubs)

7) You are allowed into big baths (watch others). Usually there are long narrow bath tubs that are only used to rinse stuff (these tubs... to get water from them, use baskets, etc available).

8) Another thing, you will see small buckets, etc to get water, have water... etc Whatever you have to do to bathe.

9) There are usually hot and cold baths. Cold baths are usually used after sitting in hot saunas... To close your pores and cool yourself. Hot are used to ... umm... soak your outer dead skin cells... aka your skin.

10) After you've soaked in scalding water for maybe... 15-20 minutes (varies with people), you use green square glove things to wash yourself. (btw, don't forget to lightly shower before entering the public bath tubs). The green glove is scratchy and if you have sensitive skin, I don't recommend this. And if you haven't been doing this (this meaning going to bath house and stripping your outer skin layer), then you won't have much coming off anyway.

11) If you want, there are ladies available who will do the green glove part for you. They get paid... like 10-15 dollars? This depends really.

12) The saunas can be unbearably hot. If you want to try and experience, take in a small tub of cold cold water and a towel. Soak the towel and place it wherever you want it and cool down occasionally. If you feel dizzy, etc. Get out. It's not good for you if you don't feel good doing it.

13) If you are caucasian, Latin, or look different and obviously speak a different language, people will look at you because they would be curious. It won't be anything mean, but it can get embarrassing for you if you are uncomfortable naked... (that would be most of us) But don't freak. It's all good.

14) Herb therapy and stuff are really good! (personal preference)

15) People will be sleeping everywhere. Don't disturb them? :)

16) Some bath houses (big ones) have gyms, PC internet access, restaurant (although most bath houses have drinks and poached eggs - a custom - and soup. It's customary for people to eat eggs and soup after bathing for a long time.

17) You can go to combined (men and women) saunas... You will be required to wear their clothes (that's the purpose of the t-shirts they give out at reception).

18) :) Have fun.

p.s.

19)  Look out for people doing exercise. If it's big or if it offers these courses, there will be people doing qi exercises to focus their inner energy (qi).

20) Some sauna chambers/rooms ask you to wear clothes. If you are unsure, look out for other people and watch what they do.

21) The person above has mentioned Jim-Jil-Bang. It's a little different to Mok-Yok-Tang. But same difference. The former tends to be more clothes-wearing lying around showering eating type. The latter .. well see above :)

Answer 2

This is the place you MUST go to. Really. It is such a relaxing place.

Here is the link that gives you a full detailed overview of it. It's called a Jimjilbang.

http://wiki.galbijim.com/Jjimjilbang

Answer 3

er like i recommend casual clothes and of course its single s*x like saunas and you pretty much just have a long bath in special stuff like water with 'huang-to' or special healthy dirt mixed in or just regular water. bring your own soap and shampoo and whatever. the tub is just for soaking. you do all the 'washing' outside or people might sue you(j/k). the little kids splash around a lot. and going to a traditional bath house is NOT a must. where'd you hear that? i live in south korea and never heard anything like that my entire life. i can't recommend any good places in seoul but i'll ask my grandmom for some good places in bundang which is a really close-by city if you want.  

Answer 4

just like what gyc said, go to the front and pay. they should give you like a 'key'

then enter girls or guys room

in the bath house, i recommend going from hot room then to steam room then keep doing that and wash off

(its really healthy for your skin and thats also why koreans have clean, healthy skin)

have fun

its not a must, but almost everybody in korea has gone to one lol and i recommend it