- Spa Guide
- Updated Nov 2026
- 2 min read
Sheep hats, baked eggs, and a nap on the floor. Welcome to the Korean spa.
3 Things You Must Do at a Korean Jjimjilbang
A jjimjilbang is a Korean spa where locals go to sweat, snack, chat and even sleep. It's part sauna, part snack bar, part sleepover. Here's how to do it like a local.
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1
Wear the sheep hat
Fold a small towel into a hat with two little "ears," and you've got the iconic sheep hat. K-dramas made it famous, and it's basically the official uniform of the jjimjilbang.
Pro tip: Can't fold it? Ask anyone nearby. Making a sheep hat for a confused tourist is a Korean love language.
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2
The holy combo: baked eggs + sikhye
After the hot rooms, every local orders the same snack: brown baked eggs and a cup of icy sikhye, a sweet rice drink. Salty, sweet, ice-cold. It just works.
Pro tip: Locals crack the egg on their forehead. It doesn't hurt (much). Try it at your own risk.
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3
Nap on the heated floor
Grab a mat and a wooden or foam block pillow, then lie down on the warm floor with everyone else. Many jjimjilbangs are open 24 hours, so some travelers even stay the night.
Pro tip: Snoring strangers included at no extra charge. Earplugs recommended.
Before you go
- Shower first. Always rinse off before getting into the baths.
- The baths are separated by gender, and no swimsuits are worn there.
- In the shared areas, everyone wears the provided T-shirt and shorts.
Quick quiz
You just finished the hot sauna room. What's the classic snack?
Think you'd survive a week in Seoul?
Café orders, bus transfers, and more. 10 questions, 2 minutes.
Play: Can You Survive 7 Days in Seoul? Or read: Fried Chicken on the Grass: The Han River Picnic Guide