In the Culinary Class Wars 2 finale, Chef Lee Ha-sung (요리괴물) made sundaetguk for the theme “A Dish for Myself.” His reason? Childhood memories of eating it with his dad after their Sunday morning bathhouse trips. That hit me right in the feels.
The Bathhouse-Food Connection
If you’ve never been to a Korean 목욕탕 (mogyoktang, public bathhouse) or 찜질방 (jjimjilbang, Korean spa), you might not understand why food is such a big part of it.
But for Koreans? Bathhouse without snacks is like cinema without popcorn. It’s just… incomplete.
1. 바나나맛우유 - The OG Bathhouse Drink
바나나맛우유 (banana mat uyu) = Banana flavored milk
If there’s ONE thing that represents Korean bathhouse culture, it’s the iconic Binggrae banana milk in that short, chubby bottle.
Why Banana Milk?
Back in the 1970s-80s, taking kids to the bathhouse was a whole ordeal. Kids hated the scrubbing (Korean moms don’t play when it comes to 때밀이/ttaemiri - exfoliating). So parents promised banana milk as a reward.
That cold, sweet banana milk after a hot bath? Pure childhood bliss.
(Translation: “Mom I don’t wanna go to the bathhouse” / “I’ll buy you banana milk after” / “Really? Let’s go let’s go!”)
Still Going Strong
Even now, convenience stores inside bathhouses stock banana milk like it’s essential medicine. Because it kind of is.
2. 식혜 - The Traditional Choice
식혜 (sikhye) = Sweet rice drink
If banana milk is for kids, 식혜 is the grown-up classic. This sweet, cold rice drink with floating rice grains is THE traditional Korean refreshment.
Why It Works
After sweating in a hot sauna room, your body craves something sweet and cold. Sikhye hits both marks perfectly. Plus, it’s believed to aid digestion.
Some jjimjilbangs make their own sikhye fresh daily - we’re talking 35 rice cookers worth, taking 11 hours to prepare. That’s dedication.
3. 맥반석계란 - The Brown Eggs
맥반석계란 (maekbanseok gyeran) = “Maekbanseok stone eggs” (baked eggs)
Ever seen those brown eggs at Korean spas and wondered what happened to them? They’re not rotten - they’re baked.
What Makes Them Special
| Regular Boiled Egg | 맥반석계란 |
|---|---|
| White exterior | Brown exterior |
| Soft texture | Chewy, bouncy texture |
| Mild taste | Nuttier, richer flavor |
The slow baking process (originally on maekbanseok stones, now usually in machines) transforms the egg completely. The white turns brownish, the yolk gets creamier, and the whole thing becomes addictively chewy.
The Perfect Combo
Here’s how Koreans do it:
- Crack open a warm 맥반석계란
- Take a bite
- When it gets stuck in your throat (it’s dry!)
- Wash it down with cold 식혜
Chef’s kiss.
4. The Post-Bath Meal: 순댓국
순댓국 (sundaetguk) = Korean blood sausage soup
This brings us back to Chef 요리괴물’s story. After the bathhouse, many Korean families would stop for a hearty meal. Sundaetguk - hot, savory, and filling - was a popular choice.
Why It’s Meaningful
As 요리괴물 explained in the Culinary Class Wars 2 finale:
“My dad took me to the bathhouse every Sunday until elementary school. I hated it. But after, he’d buy me sundaetguk as a reward. That became my comfort food.”
It’s not just about the food. It’s about:
- Father-son bonding in a culture where dads often work long hours
- Reward after “suffering” through scrubbing
- Warm comfort after being all clean
5. Other Bathhouse Favorites
Drinks
- 커피우유 (keopiyuyu) - Coffee milk
- 매실 (maesil) - Plum extract drink
- 요구르트 (yogurt) - Those tiny Yakult-style drinks
Snacks
- 라면 (ramyeon) - Instant noodles (yes, some places have these)
- 삼각김밥 (samgak gimbap) - Triangle kimbap
- 아이스크림 (aiseukeulim) - Ice cream bars
Why This Culture Exists
Korean bathhouses aren’t just about getting clean. They’re:
- Family bonding spaces - Parents and kids, naked and vulnerable together
- Community hubs - Where neighbors chat and gossip
- Self-care rituals - Taking time to relax and refresh
The food is part of this ritual. It’s the reward, the comfort, the shared experience.
Key Expressions
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 목욕탕 | mogyoktang | Public bathhouse |
| 찜질방 | jjimjilbang | Korean spa |
| 때밀이 | ttaemiri | Exfoliating scrub |
| 바나나맛우유 | banana mat uyu | Banana milk |
| 식혜 | sikhye | Sweet rice drink |
| 맥반석계란 | maekbanseok gyeran | Baked eggs |
| 순댓국 | sundaetguk | Blood sausage soup |
My Experience
Growing up, Sunday mornings meant being dragged to the bathhouse by my mom. I’d complain the whole way there, endure the aggressive scrubbing (Korean moms have NO mercy), and then… the banana milk made it all worth it.
Now as an adult, I actually miss those trips. There’s something special about sitting in a hot room with strangers, all equally sweaty and relaxed, munching on brown eggs together.
My husband still doesn’t fully get it (he’s not a jjimjilbang person), but I’m slowly converting him. Started with the banana milk, obviously.
Try It Yourself
If you visit Korea:
- Find a jjimjilbang - Dragon Hill Spa in Seoul is foreigner-friendly
- Rent the uniform - You’ll get matching 찜질방 clothes
- Hit the snack bar - Order 식혜 and 맥반석계란
- Experience the ritual - Sweat, eat, repeat
And yes, drink that banana milk. Preferably while wearing the sheep-head towel.
Sources: Hankook Ilbo, National Heritage Administration, Namu Wiki