How much to tip a massage therapist in South Korea (2026 Guide)
₩0 — including jjimjilbang, sauna, and luxury spas
Cultural notes
Jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouses) are entirely transactional and entirely no-tip: you pay at the entrance for admission, and any add-ons (body scrub seshin, massage, food in the lounge) are charged separately at fixed prices to the ajumma or counter. Tipping the seshin scrub attendant is not done — the price is the price. High-end day spas inside luxury hotels (Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, Shilla) typically add a 10% service charge to the treatment price; no further tip is needed or expected.
Common mistakes
Tipping the seshin scrub ajumma after a body scrub — the agreed price is the complete payment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I tip at a jjimjilbang?
No. Pay the entrance fee and any service add-ons at the posted price.
Should I tip a hotel spa therapist in Seoul?
No. A built-in service charge usually covers it.
Tipping other services in South Korea
- Sit-down restaurant₩0 — service and VAT are included in menu prices
- Counter / takeaway₩0
- Café₩0
- Bar₩0
- Housekeeping₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional)
- Porter₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional)
- Concierge₩0; ₩10,000–₩30,000 envelope for an exceptional favor
- Taxi₩0 — drivers return exact change
- Rideshare₩0
- Food delivery₩0
- Grocery delivery₩0
- Hairdresser₩0
- Tour guide₩0 group; ₩20,000–₩50,000 private English-speaking full day
- Tattoo artist₩0
- Valet₩0
- Airport baggage₩0
- Busker₩1,000–₩5,000 if a case is set out
- Movers₩0
- Tradesperson₩0
Tipping a massage therapist in nearby countries
Last verified: · Sources: wise.com