1. Mokyoktang vs Jjimjilbang
- Mokyoktang (목욕탕): Traditional gender-separated bathhouse containing hot, cold, and herbal soaking tubs and scrub stations. Bathing is conducted completely in the nude.
- Jjimjilbang (찜질방): Sprawling 24-hour thermal leisure complex that includes the bathhouse plus co-ed heated sauna kilns, entertainment lounges, sleeping halls, and snack bars where guests wear matching cotton shorts and shirts provided at entry.
2. Bathing Area Protocol
- Shower First: Always wash thoroughly with soap at the seated wash stations before entering any communal soaking tubs.
- Hair Tied Up: Tie long hair back or wrap it in a small hand towel so it never touches communal bath waters.
- Tattoos: Unlike in traditional Japan, tattoos are generally accepted in Korean Jjimjilbangs, though exceptionally large full-body ink may draw curious glances from seniors.
3. Jjimjilbang Leisure & Culinary Staples
In the co-ed heated lounge, wear your unisex cotton uniform and fold your small towel into cute "sheep head" horns (*Yang-meori*). Visit the snack bar and order the iconic duo:
- Sikhye (식혜): Chilled sweet fermented rice drink with floating pine nuts.
- Baked Eggs (Maekbanseok Gyeran): Brown savory eggs baked for hours in germanium clay kilns, dipped in coarse salt.