Published Date : Jan 31, 2017 / Edited Date : Jun 21, 2024
February's Main Article
A Winter Full of Sweetness and Warmth
Warm up in a Jjimjilbang and Indulge Your Sweet Tooth in a Dessert Cafe
During Korea's chilly winter, February means more cold weather. Naturally, people tend to look for ways to stay warm when the temperatures are low. Fortunately, there are many places to stay warm in and many ways to enjoy winter in Seoul. Warm up in a jjimjilbang (Korean spa) and indulge your sweet tooth during February.
Jjimjilbangs in Seoul
A jjimjilbang (Korean spa) is huge part of Korean culture that is enjoyed by all people, regardless of age or gender. A jjimjilbang is a traditional spa and bathhouse that has shower and spa facilities and a huge range of other amenities. Jjimjilbangs (Korean spas) are great fun regardless of the season or weather, but the cold Korean winters tend to make jjimjilbangs particularly popular during winter. These days, in addition to spa facitilies, jjimjilbangs also come equipped with entertainment facilities. Visitors can expect to see amenities like arcades, PC bangs (computer rooms), norae bangs (karaoke rooms), movie rooms, comic book rooms, and gyms. It may be difficult to get the motivation to leave a jjimjilbang once you've entered!
The Dragon Hill Spa in Yongsan is already quite famous among foreign expats and tourists to Korea. Dragon HIll Spa is huge and in addition to the usual amenities, there is an outdoor pool, and a garden to enjoy. Indoors, there is a movie room and a game room with a huge variety of games to play. Spa Lei is a women's only spa, and they offer skin treatments, massages, and manicures. The spa also has a store that sells clothing, lingerie, and items to fight fatigue. Spa Lei is conveniently located near Sinsa Station.
Food is an important part of the jjimjilbang experience. Most visits to a jjimjilbang will last for hours, so food is always available for purchase. Roasted eggs and refreshing sikhye (sweet rice punch) are the two most typical jjimjilbang foods. However, there are usually additional offerings available such as cup ramen, gimbap, tteok-bokki (stir-fried rice cake) and more. At large jjimjilbangs, there are usually more dishes to choose from than many small restaurants!
“They Serve Food In Jjimjilbangs?” At the Dragon Hill Spa, you can enjoy a barbecue. At Supsok Hanbang Land (Traditional Oriental Forest Land), there is an outdoor charcoal kiln where you can grill goguma (sweet potatoes) and garaetteok (grilled rice cake.)
More Info
Dragon Hill Spa [Temporarily Closed] Address & Directions : 40, Hangang-daero 21na-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul / Yongsan Station (subway line 1, Gyeongui–Jungang Line) exit 1 Telephone : +82-2-792-0001
Spa Lei Address & Directions : 5, Gangnam-daero 107-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul / Sinsa Station (subway line 3) exit 5 Telephone : +82-2-545-4002 Website (Korean, English, Japanese) : http://www.spalei.co.kr/
Soopsok Hanbang Land Address & Directions : 75-7, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul / Sinchon Station (subway line 2, Gyeongui–Jungang Line) exit 2 Telephone : +82-2-365-2700
Chocolate Dessert Cafes
There are many famous dessert cafes near Hongik University Station. Mint chocolate tastes like toothpaste, so some people don’t like it, but people who want it are enthusiastic about it. Mint Heim, a mint chocolate dessert specialty store, offers a variety of drinks and cakes that convey the sweet and refreshing taste of mint chocolate. Those who do not like the strong taste of mint chocolate can enjoy matcha and raspberry cakes, so they need not worry.
More Info
Mint Heim Address & Directions : 28, Jandari-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul / Hapjeong Station (subway lines 2, 6) exit 3 OR Hongik Univ. Station (subway line 2, Gyeongui–Jungang Line, Airport Railroad) exit 9 Hours of Operation : 11:30-21:30 KST Telephone : +82-2-324-1359
본 코스는 보행약자(거동이 불편한 고령자, 장애인, 유모차 이용자 등)를 위한 코스입니다.
보호자를 동반하지 않을 시 이용이 불가능 합니다.※ 보행약자 1명당 보호자 최소 1인 이상 동반 ※ 전동보장구(전동휠체어, 전동스쿠터 등) 사용자의 경우 보호자 1인당 보행약자 최대 4인까지 동반 가능
희망하시는 날짜 및 코스에 활동가능한 해설사가 없는 경우 예약은 취소될 수 있습니다.
예약확인을 위해 도보관광 사무국(02-6925-0777)에서 확인 연락이 진행됩니다.(최소 5일~한달 전)3회 이상 전화통화가 이뤄지지 않을 시 예약이 취소될 수 있습니다.
해설 진행 시 발생하는 안전사고에 대해서 도보관광 사무국과 서울문화관광해설사는 책임을 지지 않습니다.
미세먼지 비상저감조치 발령 및 기타 기상악화(폭염, 태풍, 폭우 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다. (관광일 전날 기준)
Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
Additional reservations, one or two days before the tour starts, are only allowed for the tour that is already fixed.
In the case of group tour, more than 10people, please contact us by e-mail.
Reservations for the following month are available from the 15th of the current month.
Please refrain from participating in any tour programs should you be experiencing any symptoms, including fever, coughing, congestion, muscle pain, stuffy nose, and/or sore throat.
Reservations for tourists 14 years & under without an accompanying adult or guardian shall be canceled on site.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
The Seoul Guided Walking Tour administration office and tour guide affiliates are not responsible for any accidents that happen to occur during the tour program.
Reservation shall be made at least 1 week before the tour day.
The course is for tourists with mobility problems (Senior, people with disability, stroller user).
You may not use the course without an assistant (or companion) ※ At least one assistant shall accompany a tourist with mobility problem ※ In case of electric assisting device users (electric wheelchair, electric scooter users), one assistant may accompany up to 4 tourists with mobility problem
Reservation may be canceled when a guide is unavailable on the desired date and course.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office (02-6925-0777) will contact you to confirm reservation. (At least 5 days~1 month before tour day) Reservation may be canceled when Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office cannot reach you for more than 3 times.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office and Seoul culture and tourism guide are not liable for the safety accidents during the Seoul Guided Walking Tour.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)