Many of my Western friends told me that before coming to Korea, they expected to love the palaces or K-POP the most. But after they went back home, the two things they couldn’t stop talking about were surprisingly everyday pleasures: Korean fried chicken + beer (Chimaek) and Jjimjilbang (Korean spa). I’m not exaggerating.

Let’s start with Chimaek (치맥). Westerners already love fried chicken, but Korean fried chicken is on another level. Forget dry, plain crust. Korean fried chicken is double-fried to be super crispy, then coated in addictive sauces – sweet and spicy gochujang, garlic soy, honey butter. Each bite is crunchy, juicy, and sticky, best washed down with an ice-cold Cass or Terra beer. Brands like BBQ, Kyochon, and bhc are everywhere, and delivery is scary fast. I’ve heard countless tourists say: “I tried my local fried chicken back home and it just didn’t hit the same.” That’s the magic of Chimaek.

Now Jjimjilbang (찜질방). Sure, saunas exist in the West. But a Korean jjimjilbang is a whole-day playground for less than 15,000 KRW (about $10 USD). You get hot tubs, cold pools, clay steam rooms, salt saunas, even an ice room. What surprises Westerners the most is that you can wear the same comfy shorts and t-shirt, sleep on heated floors, watch TV, eat hard-boiled eggs and sweet rice drink (sikhye) , and just lie on massage chairs with friends. Some people feel awkward about being naked in the bath area at first, but once they see grandmas walking around naturally, they learn to let go. Many backpackers even use jjimjilbang as a cheap overnight stay – clean, warm, and uniquely Korean.

Why do these two experiences hook Westerners so easily? Because they require no language, no fan culture, no history lesson. Your body just loves them. Chimaek is guilty, joyful hedonism. Jjimjilbang is a healing ritual that melts your fatigue away. Two extremes, both unforgettable.

So if you have Western friends visiting Korea, tell them this: Skip one duty-free shop, have one more meal of Kyochon chicken. Skip one hotel night, sleep one night in a jjimjilbang. They will thank you forever.