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Saturday, May 29, 2010

Jjimjilbang (찜질방) Part 2

After you’re done sweating out your pores or soaking in a hot bath, you can leave those rooms to watch tv or browse the internet. You can also eat or sleep in different rooms selected for those specific activities all without leaving the premises! However, you have to be fully clothed to participate in these rooms. The jimjilbang (찜질 방) will give you a t-shirt and shorts without an additional fee. Everyone will be provided with the same t-shirt and shorts, so don’t be alarmed about the matching outfits. Also lots of places provide slippers so that you don’t have to walk barefoot. You’re allowed to stay for 24 hours after the initial fee that you’ve paid. After the 24 hours are over, you must either pay again to stay longer or leave.

Here comes my favorite part of the jjimjilbang (찜질방) experience: recommending my favorite foods. To start off, I always eat a hard boiled egg and dip it in salt. Eggs are a good source of protein and they prevent you from any having any fainting spells caused by hunger or dizziness from the heat of the jjimjilbangs (찜질방).

Anyone thirsty? Then try some shikhye (식혜) pronounced as shike. It’s a sweet beverage made from fermented rice. It’s served cold so it’ll cool you down a bit after a long hot day in a jjimjilbang (찜질방).

If you’re still feeling a little stuffy I’ve got the perfect solution for you. Try the patbingsu (팥빙수). Patbingsu (팥 빙수) is a very popular dessert in Korea. It contains sweetened beans and ice shavings mixed with condensed milk, fresh fruits and a jelly like substance equivalent to gum drops but softer. Sometimes it is topped with ice cream and is a nice way to end a hot sweltering day at a jjimjilbang (찜질방).

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