If you’re into Korean culture, K-dramas, or variety shows, it’s hard not to know what ‘jjimjilbang’ is.
It’s loosely translated as a Korean sauna, but thanks to AI, we’ve got an accurate (?) translation:
In Korean, a “jimjilbang” is written as 찜질방. The word is a combination of “jjimjil” (찜질), meaning heating or poultice, and “bang” (방), meaning room. So, it literally translates to “heated room” or “poultice room”.
So I randomly decided to drop by a ‘jjimjilbang’ that’s not too touristy; one that cannot be found on Klook or Kkday.
Nothing against the two big Ks, haha, just that I wanted to experience something that locals would normally go to?
I wanted to visit one in the Hongdae area, so I searched on Naver maps, and this place came up:
“홍대24시불가마사우나” in Korean and “Hongdae 24-Hour Bulgama Sauna” in English.
It’s easy to get to, just 200 m or less than a 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Hongik University Station.
Here’s a quick map reference:
I read blog reviews on food prices on-site, and I didn’t want to spend that money (I’m a miser, ha!), so I dropped by GS25 (a chain convenience store) inside Hongik University Station and got a Kinder Bueno bar to quickly fill my tummy before I checked in at the ‘jjimjilbang’.
And off I go!
As mentioned earlier, it’s a short walk from Exit 4, so look for the signs.
Once you exit the underground, you will likely see this pole with “Exit 4” written on it.
You’re at the right spot!
But which way?
See AK Plaza?
Step outside, and do you see Starbucks on the left?
Walk towards the Starbucks direction and keep walking.
It’s directly opposite a huge LG Electronics Store, so you won’t miss it.
Take the zebra crossing to get over to the other side.
And here’s the right entrance, so go through the doors and walk straight to the elevators.
It’s located in B2 (basement 2), so take the elevator down.
And here’s the entrance once you reach B2.
SHOES OFF, but I didn’t heed the advice, oops.
Was busy taking pictures for y’all :p
It was very quiet, and I thought there was no one at the front desk, but there was an ahjumma seated behind the desk.
Her eyes were glued to the screen, and she didn’t even greet me.
I walked forward and said “one adult” in English.
She didn’t say a word and just clicked away at her desktop to process payment.
It was a weekday, and during the day, it was 10,000 KRW for entry.
They charge separately for ‘jjimjilbang’ clothes, at an extra 2,000 KRW, so all in all, I was charged 12,000 KRW.
I asked her if I could pay using Apple Pay, but she just pointed at the price list, not understanding what I was asking and not even attempting to understand.
Bad service right from the start. Hoho.
Anyway, no Apple Pay apparently, so I took out my physical YouTrip card to make payment.
I was charged 11.14 SGD based on the day’s exchange rate!
Not a bad price, huh?
Lucky number for the day is 45.
I mean, locker number.
She handed me my ‘jjimjilbang’ clothes, alongside two towels, and a receipt with the locker number on it, and signalled me to go left.
The men’s one is on the right.
Just remove your shoes (and socks) and put them into your designated shoe cabinet locker.
Then just enter and find your clothes locker.
It was pretty crowded inside, with a bunch of Korean ladies taking their own sweet time to change out of their clothes and getting ready to leave.
I barely managed to change out of my own clothes and into the ‘jjimjilbang’ ones, plus store all my belongings in the locker.
And honestly, the clothes they gave me reeked of years of built-up sweat, like clothes too old or clothes that had never seen the sunlight in like forever.
I’m a clean freak, so it instantly put me in a bad mood.
There’s a restroom right where the lockers are at but there’s only one cubicle, so I would advise you to head up to the main hall to use the restrooms there.
I brought my own water bottle, but they had plenty of such water dispensers at every corner with paper sachets (instant cups), so you can quench your thirst easily.
This is the price list for sauna services they provide: scrub, massage, shampoo, etc.
As you can see, it’s all in Korean, so it’s not very tourist-friendly.
There’s a powder room (station) with combs, lotion, cotton buds, etc.
But they looked filthy to me.
And you have to pay 200 KRW (approx. 0.18 SGD) for a 2-minute use of the hair dryer…
There’s also a little corner where they provide ad hoc services.
Nothing written in English, btw.
I couldn’t find the way to enter the ‘jjimjilbang’, so I asked one of the locals in the changing room, and she pointed me in the right direction.
You will have to take the carpeted staircases to get to the main hall, so if you’re traveling with someone with bad knees, just take note, yeah.
There’s a massage room (unisex) on the left once you exit the staircase, so if you’re interested, you could go for it.
It’s “no, thank you” for me, so I was headed towards the main hall straight away…
And that’s all for part 1 of this very lengthy post.
If you want to know what greets me at the main hall, the actual sauna rooms, food court/ramen station, and more, stick around.
See you next in part 2. Tap/click on the link right here:
I paid 11.14 SGD for a solo ‘jjimjilbang’ (찜질방) experience in Seoul, South Korea. Here’s my honest review (part II)
All image credits to Celeste Elle and should not be reproduced without permission.
