Though K-beauty first landed stateside back in 2011 — when Dr.Jart+ flooded the shelves of Sephora stores across the country and spawned the BB cream craze — South Korean skincare products have experienced a resurgence in popularity in the past few years.
Thanks to the boom of TikTok reviews and unwavering obsession with K-pop and K-dramas, Americans can’t seem to slather on enough essences, sleeping masks and snail mucin in the name of achieving glass skin.
Related: How to get to South Korea on points and miles
The latest Korean beauty trend to sweep the U.S. isn’t a particular brand or product, though. Rather, it’s communal public bathing.
This self-care ritual emerged during Japan’s brutal occupation of Korea to cater to the colonialists. It continued to flourish after the Japanese surrendered and retreated in 1945.
Now, Korean bathhouses are far more than places to get squeaky clean with a Korean body scrub. They’re also places to disconnect from stress, socialize, tuck into Korean cuisine and even squeeze in a restorative nap.
Here in America, people have quickly caught on to the myriad benefits of Korean bathhouses and day spas. Note: Check your modesty at the door, as you (and every other guest) are required to be nude once inside the facilities.
Below are seven of the best Korean spas to check into for a little rest and relaxation — all of which are in or near major cities.
Wi Spa — Los Angeles
Though Los Angeles is jam-packed with Korean day spas, Wi Spa consistently lands at the top of many lists with its comprehensive offerings and wallet-friendly prices.
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The four-floor complex sitting on Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown has everything you’d expect from a traditional bathhouse (saunas, pools, relaxation rooms). It also has a dedicated zone for children, a rooftop deck for sunning, a fitness center and even the option to stay overnight for a modest fee.
The price for a daypass is $30, and Korean body scrubs start at $60.
Sojo Spa Club — Edgewater, New Jersey
If you live in New York City, an easy 45-minute ride on the 158 bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal will drop you off in front of one of the country’s most famous places to get a Korean body scrub — and much more. This impressive wellness haven stretches over a whopping 140,000 square feet and also offers massages incorporating Essa’s luxurious aromatherapy oils.
The price for a daypass starts at $100, and Korean body scrubs start at $75.
King Spa & Sauna — Niles, Illinois
For one of the most affordable self-care sessions in the greater Chicago area, hop in the car and head to Niles, Illinois. The 50-minute drive will lead you to King Spa & Sauna, a massive 34,000-square-foot complex. It boasts nine unique healing rooms, including an amethyst-studded one that reportedly helps calm the mind and nervous system.
Feeling peckish? Swing by the food court for Korean comfort food like dumplings and bibimbap.
The price for a daypass is $50, and Korean body scrubs start from $90.
Parkside Spa & Sauna — Annandale, Virginia
Approximately 18 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., Annandale’s claim to fame is a bevy of Korean restaurants, from old-school bakeries to hip barbecue joints. With the opening of Parkside Spa & Sauna in 2022, it’s become a wellness destination, too.
The facilities aren’t as sprawling as other traditional Korean spas, but they’re spotless and include unique amenities such as a Roman-style sweat room.
The price for a daypass starts at $45, and Korean body scrubs start at $75.
Gangnam Spa — Houston
Merging traditional Korean spa practices with other wellness modalities, including an oxygen lounge and Nano Clay Room, Houston’s Gangnam Spa is an urban oasis that’s open 24 hours a day. It has become so popular with locals that yearly memberships with free admission and discounted services are now available.
The price for a daypass starts at $45, and Korean body scrubs start at $70.
Shangri-La Bath & Sauna — Tampa
This beloved Korean day spa is in Tampa — one of the country’s fastest-growing cities. Here, you can indulge in two popular Korean pastimes: public bathing and karaoke. Just imagine being able to buff away months of dead skin cells in under 45 minutes — and then belting your heart out in a private room. What a combo.
The price for a daypass is $33, and Korean body scrubs start at $118.
Pearl Spa and Sauna — San Francisco
In the heart of Japantown, you’ll find this bright and inviting Korean day spa created expressly for women. Though the treatment menu is abbreviated with just massages, wraps and body scrubs, everything is delivered with expert care.
Afterward, treat yourself to some cheese-smothered kalbijjim (braised short ribs) at nearby hot spot Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup.
Spa access is only available with a booked treatment, and Korean body scrubs start at $90.
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