Experience traditional Korean health spa at Yeo Yong Kuk
Having been to popular Korean spa houses such as Shangpree and Sulwhasoo before, I was keen to try something different. For my last trip to Seoul I researched online and came across Yeo Yong Kuk, a traditional Korean health spa featured on Visit Medical Korea and recommended by Hong Kong-blogger Ling Cheng.
By tailoring treatments for each person's health conditions, Yeo Yong Kuk draws upon 600 years of wisdom from traditional Korean medicine. The spa believes in a Korean saying that taking care of a woman’s body is similar to taking care of the king’s land. While I'm no royalty, I don't think Meghan Markle will find this place too shabby for her tastes.
Both my friend Jo and I underwent the O-Ring test, a Yeo Yong Kuk method of assessing our Sasang constitution to determine what our bodies could and couldn't take.
By forming an 'O' with my thumb and index finger on my right hand, the therapist tugged at my fingers each time my left index finger was exposed to a different herb as you can see in the video below. I found out that both Jo and I had the same body type where that our waist and lower half of the body needed strengthening. Based on those test results, our therapist aptly chose Korean herbs and ingredients for our facial and body treatments.
Assortment of bottled herbal medicines used in the O-Ring test to assess compatibility with each person's constitution
“Taking care of a woman’s body is similar to taking care of the king’s land”
Walking into our treatment area we were greeted into a warm and cozy space with dim lighting. In stark contrast to the spas I've been to before, Yeo Yong Kuk gives off a homely vibe which set us at ease.
Comfortable in our robes, this was us before the treatment
Now relaxed and refreshed post- treatment
A look at their menu
Both Jo and I went for the Full Body & Facial (250,000 won) treatment which covered a range of steps:
- Full body massage
- Facial massage cleansing
- Exfoliation
- Ceramic therapy
- Specially formulated mask
- Scalp care
The ceramic hwasas, don't they look like cat paws?
It was wonderfully soothing and relaxing throughout the treatment where they used a variety of herbal ingredients. The use of different ceramic hwasa that look like cat paws to stimulate the skin with its spike-ends (not as dangerous as it sounds!) help improve blood circulation. The offering at Yeo Yong Kuk is special because it takes a holistic approach to your wellbeing, first with a physical assessment (O-Ring test), then the actual treatment (hello facial and massage) with a follow-up recommendation on your diet (less chicken, egg and orange) and lifestyle tips (strengthen lower half of body...maybe squats and lunges?).
After downing their hot lemon tea drink, I left feeling warm and glowing from the head-to-toe treatment. I would love to make a trip back and see if they would prescribe the same herbal ingredients.
“It was a very unique and wonderful experience! We were asked to perform O-Ring test before we were matched with the appropriate treatment for our body type. Throughout the spa everything felt perfect! The pressure points, the temperature, the order of massages/ facial. Felt my body was reborn after the spa! Really enjoyed it!”
Business card of the lady who took care of us
Easily recognisable logo of a traditional Korean lady - looks remarkably similar to Korean TV series lead, Dae Jang Geum
How to get there: Take the Seoul Subway Line 2 or 9 to Sports Complex Station, Exit 9. Walk straight out of the park and cross the road, turn left at Baekjegobunro-9-gil and turn right to Baekjegobunro-7-gil.
You will see the spa on your left in Heung Song building, level 2.
