Chung Dam Spa & Fitness

Best place for women hands down. The massages, steam room, sauna, pool, and showers are AMAZING. I go and spend the day and usually sleep and relax!

This was my first visit, and it won’t be my last. I went with a good friend of mine, which I thought might be a little odd, but with everyone walking around either completely or mostly nude it became normal very quickly.
When we arrived, we paid at the front desk, were given towels, robes, and locker keys. We were directed to take off our shoes and place them on the shelving before going through the curtains.
Beyond the curtains we located our lockers, disrobed, put our robes on and started looking like we were lost, which we were. One of the women who works there took our towels to put them in a little cubby, then pointed for us to go through the door into the wet area to shower.
Once showered, we were directed to the pools. We got into the hot one, not realizing at the time that each of the three pools were a different temperature… the hot water was perfect. After about 10 minutes, we were ushered over to the scrubbing /​massage tables where we laid our heads on rolled towels. First, the front of your body is thoroughly scrubbed, then the back, and each side, with occasional dousings of warm water rinses. After the scrub, which was incredible — I was totally relaxed — we were directed to another shower before getting back in the hot bath until our massage.
Back on the same tables as before, our massages began. The woman doing my massage had strong, firm hands. The cool cucumber mask was a wonderful touch, along with having my hair washed and moisturized at the end of the massage.
From the massage tables we tried the two hot rooms before showering one last time before getting dressed and leaving. Once we were dry and dressed, neither of us could believe how soft our skin was, how the back of our hands looked so much younger, and how relaxed we were. We are looking forward to making this a monthly experience.
Although we haven’t tried any of the other treatments yet, they do offer reflexology, Shiatsu massage, and therapeutic massage.
If you are prudish, this is not the experience for you. If not, you will most certainly enjoy the experience, and the incredible feeling skin you will have afterward!

Unique and relaxing experience. I had the body scrub – which felt odd at first because of the process, open floor plan, and my own hang ups – which resulted in super soft skin. The staff are friendly and the patrons are courteous. No funny business. It was a positive and relaxing couple of hours. I found the scrub and baths as relaxing as a good massage. Google Korean spa: if you like what you read or are curious, I imagine you will enjoy the experience.

I loved the idea of being totally naked & I def enjoyed the body scrub & massage. Because it was my 1^st visit to this particular spa & the employees didn’t speak any English, I was a little nervous as I didn’t quite understand a couple of the instructions right away.
I went w/​my male friend thinking we’d get a couples massage but the only common area for couples was the lounge, which didn’t really feel loungy. The lighting was high & I was expecting there to be water, tea &/​or refreshments in the lounge but there was none.
I’d def return. as they allow you to enjoy the amenities until closing which is @ 11pm. There’s also a fitness center, but I didn’t have time to see it. It’s best to go alone or with a group of ppl of the same sex.

Okay, so I’m trying really hard to write this review in the cleanest way possible, but I really don’t know where to begin.
I must say, its a little shocking when you think you are getting a deep tissue massage and body scrub in a private room, then walking into a literal bathhouse, where a bunch of women (old, young, fat and thin) are in «all their glory». This is not a place for the shy gal, but I decided to not make a scene and go with the flow.
The body scrub was good, but I wasn’t crazy about having a half-​naked lady climb all over my back for the deep tissue massage, or the countless number of women walking by and checking each other out (I guess you can’t help but look at one another). I can’t say anything else without being inappropriate, but they do have private rooms for a dry massage, but not for the body scrub/​deep tissue massage package.
I will come here again, but will not be entering the shower room/​hot tub room/​body scrub room (its all one big area). Next time, I will opt for a Swedish massage in a private room. The place is clean, their prices are good, and the people who work there are very nice.

Went into the bath house area with my friend and there were a bunch of huge obese gay bears that followed us from room to room and then begun masturbating next to us in the steam room. We told the lady up front and she said we could kick them out. Not trying to start anything in the bath house so we just ran the hell out of there and will never return. Gross. Maybe have some security if this is in an unsafe area.

Yesterday was my 1^st visit to Chung Dam, I’ve been to Kingspa in Jersey before and both places are similar and different in different ways but that’s a review for a another time. The facility is very clean, the staff is helpful, but the place is small, not to a fault small but I do wish the actual men’s section was bigger. I’m no pro to Korean spa life but I’m no amateur either… that being said lets get down to what your probably here on Unilocal to find out
1. Location is convenient, way closer option than driving to jersey…30 mins compared to 2 hrs!
2. Price is right! $ 20 for a day pass that includes all access to spa areas, saunas, and the fitness area… also if you decide to get any massages that entry fee is added to the total cost of what ever massage you get… eg. body scrub is $ 50, but you only actually pay $ 30
3. Yes folks… nudity is a must, so if your self conscience or uneasy about it then this isn’t for you! I will say this though, its not as bad as you would think… if your willing to give it a chance go on a day you think isn’t going to be crowded, I went on a Thursday evening after work got there like 6pm left like 9:30 and in total coming and going my whole time there I counted 8 – 10 ppl within that time frame, most all at one time was 6 including myself but were all spaced out throughout the area. Showers are open air but you do have privacy glass on both sides and 3 behind you and they do have the traditional sit down area also. Sucky part about that is the shower attachments don’t work so if you use it you’ll have to scrub there and still use the standing showers to rinse.
4. Soap, shower gels, 1 large and 1 small towel are provided but I suggest you bring your own everything. I used their stuff then used my own, I brought 3 towels and used 2, they sell scrubbers and water and snacks and all that good stuff also but I’ll be better prepared next time… this was just the initial visit
5. Staff was helpful, its a guy back there to show you around and give you the lay of the land, tells you about showering before you enter the pools and what areas you need to get dressed for so that was cool… his English was good enough for you to get the point
6. 3 pools… cold, warm, and warmer (lol) because it wasn’t hot hot to me, because in jersey they have a pool so hot its playfully called the lobster pot! (when the Koreans and others of lighter skin complexion get out the lower half of them is red!) its also a steam room and a dry sauna, both have nice herbal woodsy smells. The body scrub area is located in the back and is pretty private so that’s a major plus, the one in Jersey is open air… they also have a shower that sprays water at you from all sides… be careful, the middle dial is temperature and the top dial turns it on!
All in all I had a good 1^st experience, its small but not claustrophobic… I would say its adequate for the price point you pay. Its not super modern but the showers were cool, locker room was very upscale to me, bathrooms were clean, facility was clean, staff was nice, uniforms were ok, variety of things to do was limited but again for $ 20 why complain! Once you get over the nudity your fine, just like any gym or anyplace like that you may get your trolls/​gawkers but I didn’t really feel much of that kind of vibe. The Koreans will pay you no attention, its the Americans that usually make these experiences awkward. I had maybe 1 or 2 guys that kinda gave me the «I’m checking you out vibe» but nobody engaged me, nobody came trying to «talk» to me or be in my face, it was a respectful distance if that was the case. I did think one guy was trying to flag me down but over time I just think he was very expressive with his hands because every time I thought I saw it, he was talking to somebody else… but I wasn’t creeped out like its perv city or anything, I’ve been more uncomfortable at beach than at this place, if you get the vibe just be aware and cover up and that’s for anyplace! I’d visit again, and soon… my skin is soft, I smelled good, I relaxed and I slept so friggin good that night!!!

I love this place! I got the $ 20 day pass and enjoyed the benefits of the warm granite room, charcoal & clay & my favorite the co-​ed sea salt sauna. The sea salt sauna is very relaxing. The mounds of sea salt reminded me of warm sand on the beach. Love it, love it, love it. Now some people may be hesitant because of the nudity. Not to worry they provide you with towels & a robe and you can easily avert your eyes. I absolutely loved laying out in the warm granite room. I used one of the inner rooms and completely disrobed. The experience was amazing. I was able to think and meditate. The room is barely lit like a very dim candle & no one was peeping at me. It was very liberating and most enjoyable. I definitely will be back. One thing I’ll bring next time are ear plugs. The rooms themselves were quiet but people carried on conversations directly outside the granite room taking away from my tranquility, I’ll also bring a travel pillow to lay on top of the wood blocks for comfort. The hottest room is awesome to purge & clean out your pores. It was 120 degrees in there. Also, swimsuits aren’t allowed in the whirlpools. You’re required to shower first then go in naked. I’m not that liberated yet so I passed on that. This place is definitely a hidden treasure & gem.

Authentic Korean Jimjilbang
I first visited a Korean bath house in China, some 14 years ago, and this is the first one I’ve been to in the US. OK, first things first — you are naked, but, if you are an American, a Jimjilbang is a pretty good place to get over it. (In Asia/​Korea, the locals until relatively recently haven’t had running/​hot water, so bath houses have been requisite, and indispensable, for centuries. In other words, totally normal.)
I want to explain though that the only reason I would visit here, is for the Korean full-​body scrub (which is very popular with expats in China), though after a body scrub, the super-​hot sauna room and dip pools are something you might want to do.
Contrary to some of the other reviews mentioning annoying people, I showed up on a Thursday morning, and there was only one other patron there — an Asian man who sat in the mid-​temp pool reading a newspaper (naked, of course) — and frankly I was glad not to be the only one there.
When I arrived for my body scrub appointment, the Korean man who would give me the scrub (I suspect he owns the place), sat watching me, patiently waiting for me to get undressed (guys, this is so normal, please don’t get hyper). Then he indicated I should soak in the pool for a few minutes (softens the skin), then come over for the scrub.
Well, it wasn’t quite as good** as the one in China, but thoroughly worth it (**OK, I need to define «good» — the scrub I had in China was so intense it had me wondering if I could stand the pain or should ask the guy to stop — really a sandpaper job. So this one wasn’t as intense — tolerable, but it still removed the outer layer of dead skin, which is the idea. So you decide which version is «good.»)
It costs $ 50 (as opposed to $ 10 in China), but it seriously makes your skin feel good, and I would recommend it to anyone I know.

Do yourself a favor: indulge in a body scrub and massage. You will thank yourself over and over as you can’t stop stroking your baby-​butt smooth skin afterward.
Now, that said, this is not for the faint of heart nor for the vain. You are totally naked and you are scrubbed from head to toe, every crevice and crack, minus the intimate lady parts ! You are given periodic tubs of warm water to wash off what has been exfoliated and soaped, kind of like a gentle human car wash. You get a cucumber facial AND you get your hair washed and conditioned and your scalp massaged.
The massage after your dry heat sauna is intense. You have to be ok with a deep tissue massage AND with a little woman (I can only speak for the women’s side of the spa) climbing on top of your back and digging her elbows into your tight knotted muscles.
The only reason I give this place 4 vs. 5 stars is that you are not given a lot of direction about what to do and where to be as it is mostly a Korean-​speaking place. I can live with that and would come back to have this done regularly!
My skin has never looked or felt better !

I have visited Chung Dam a handful of times. It is very small for a Korean spa, but it gets the job done. And it is also the only Korean spa in the area, so…
I first went a couple of years ago and did not visit again until this year only because of the distance from my home in South Philly.
In March 2014, I first experienced the scrub. This is a humbling experience. You are butt naked on a table next to 3 – 4 other butt naked women, while half naked women scrub the shit out of you. It is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. The end result is lovely glowing skin, but the journey there is kind of gross.
In May 2014, I experienced the massage. I have had the best massages of my life in South Korea and in the US in shady looking basements of Asian establishments. I was so surprised at my experience at Chung Dam. I am a fan of «more pressure» and usually that comes with some pain. This massage was painful… in a bad way. Right away I could tell that my masseuse did not know what she was doing. During other massages, I could always tell that there was some rhyme or reason for what the masseuse was doing before I drifted off into a peaceful sleep. In this case, it was clear right away that she had no clue. I left the massage very, very tense because I spent an hour being afraid of what was coming next. It was the most stressful massage ever. In fact, I got my nails done two days later and the massage that they gave me (while my nails were drying) was painful because of the bruises from my precious massage!
The facilities are clean and there are some nice options for such a small spa. Everyone that works there has always been very kind. However, I don’t know if I can justify this trip anymore. There used to be a great Korean café inside the spa and now that is gone. I don’t think I will return for the scrub or massage and I can’t drive that far just to sit in the steam room or salt room.

I love pampering myself and being pampered. This place is a great combination of both. The staff is great! You get access to the tubs, sauna’s, Himalayan salt room, and more for $ 20, which was well worth it. Make sure you bring all your favorite things to exfoliate, bathe, and moisturizer with. But if you forget something, there’s is an abundance of complimentary toiletries. You can also purchase additional services (which I’ve yet to try) like scrubs, massages, and reflexology at reasonable prices. I will be a regular soon.

So let’s be clear… I am not Korean, and I am not set on these locations to cruise. I am a man who loves the spa experience and is happy to give business to anyone who is willing to open what I am sure is quite the ordeal to zone/​approve for cities across the nation like a Korean Spa.
I discovered the spa culture while on business in California and found it to be an amazing stress reducer… and a total cleanse for the world’s worries, all at affordable prices. Since my time in California with some of the best (notably, iSpa, Tustin — check them out!) I have had a passion around finding even more experiences that can match the quality of my first.
While Chung Dam Spa does not exceed any expectations, it certainly meets them. And if it’s true that this is the only Korean Spa of it’s kind in Philadelphia, then I’ll take it. My partner in two dear buddies (who live minutes away, but never invested time to check it out) went today and found it to be an enjoyable afternoon.
For sure you have to be okay with the stripping down to the buff with other dudes — a problem that a lot of straight guys get hung up on. I will say that this place is for sure smaller than most spas, so there is no escaping into your sauna or pool — or to other rooms. Bottom line, you are going to be in tight quarters. Which brings us to ‘opportunity’ number one. Size. This is a very, very small facility. Three 8×8 square pools, a row of showers, several sit down showers a dry and wet saunas… and that’s it. So you quickly run out of things/​experiences to have. In other saunas you have the opportunity to dress in uniform (Cotton Pajama like tops and bottom uniform that allows communal fellowship in certain areas of the facility.) It’s great for relaxing, chatting with the opposite sex and typically snacking and nourishing. This location did provide the uniform (typically an up charge) but does not have a strong communal opportunity. Instead it’s like a teachers lounge where you can visit a salt room together. So for this location, size leads to running out of things to do quickly. There was a workout facility here, which would be good for those that needed to cardio and work out prior to relaxation.
Opportunity two for this facility is towel service. They are not ready to hand out towels that have been used through multiple drying times, or sweat on for that matter. So it was frustrating to want a new towel and not have a back up.
From a sanitation perspective I thought it met my expectations and I felt very comfortable. However, I wish that it (like most) had shower gel and shampoo pumps on the wall. Instead here they lay out well used bottles of CVS brand shampoos (not too bad) but COMMUNAL SOAP. Eck! I would bring my own, or use the shampoo product.
Finally the key systems in most spas are electronic and fob based. But here it’s actual keys on too stretched coil bracelets. (These REALLY need replacing, it’s actually a hinderance to have it on you. You sound like you have a charm bracelet on as you try to relax.)
Would encourage you to go with same sex friends and perhaps bring a gang or group activity… as its not an option in the community rooms.
Again, a great location… and one that will ‘do’ and could exceed your expectations if you’ve never seen other facilities.

I fell in love with the Jimjibang (Korean Sauna) when I traveled to Seoul years ago. This is the only place in Philly where you can sweat out the toxins and do work in the common area afterwards. I love this place and enjoy using the clean, well manageed facility.
James B. is hit the nail on the head when he mentioned gay guys cruising. Don’t even bother going into the steam room if you are straight. The steam room is a nice facility but is usually packed full with gay dudes rockin’ half chubs.
I recommend this place even though the cruising can get a little much. But I guess this is bound to happen when you offer a Jimjibang in America.

The guy who said that he sensed a bunch of gay guys cruising is no exaggeration. I’ve visited Chung Dam twice, and both times I have had plenty of attention from horny gay dudes. Basically you’ve got a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ mix of Asian men there strictly for a spa, and mostly white (with the occasional black) dudes jacking off in the steam room and hot tubs.
Here’s the reality though: I have never been to a gym or spa, EVER, where gay cruising wasn’t happening, and it’s highly likely that if you are a straight man not looking for action, you’ll be left alone. There’s a cruising code, and the worst thing that will happen is you having to say «No thanks, not interested.»
In the meantime what you’ll get is a really clean, reasonably priced spa day with everything you might want to relax. For $ 20 for a day pass you can’t beat it.
Unlike the meat all the gay dudes are beating. :D

This place is legit.
I’ve been having a really rough month so my best friend hunted up a spa that would give us all the things we expect from a spa. We were spoiled living in Santa Fe just 15 minutes from Ten Thousand Waves, a Japanese style spa with outdoor hot tubs, massages, etc. the works.
We had 1pm massage appointments and went a little more than an hour early to soak and steam and just relax. They give you a robe and a couple towels at the front desk and you pay up front. Shoes off before you get into the locker room which is great since it’s salty and icy outside.
Men and women are completely separated except in the salt sauna and lounge (which we didn’t check out) so this is a place to go with the girls, not your husband.
We stripped and went into what I’ll refer to as The Wet Room– the place with the three hot tubs, showers, steam room, and sauna. There are three showers all together (no private stalls) and they do have shampoo and soap, etc. but it’s all communal, not individual anything. There are 2 stalls with low showers and we saw some of the Korean women sitting on stools and washing so I think these are more traditional.
We sat in the HOT tub, on the right, and my friend went into the cold plunge on the far left. The middle pool is kind of cool (I’m a chicken so I went into the middle one instead of the cold plunge).
There are three beds to the far right where a woman in a bra and underwear does the body scrubs. She often said hello to the other women there, many of them are obviously regulars. Everything is clean. The steam room is fantastic. I could spend all day in there. I’m not sure if the sauna in there wasn’t working or we couldn’t figure out the knobs but it just didn’t feel very hot.
Back out in the locker room, there’s access to the hot clay room and the warm granite room. The hot room was just that– very hot. My friend could only stand a few minutes, and I couldn’t stay much longer. The warm granite room has a larger room and then two small chambers off to the side that are dark and warm, just a nice place to sit to wait for our massages.
The massage I had was amazing. It’s not a quiet, gentle massage that lulls you into relaxation or sleep. This women touched everywhere that hurt and pressed it to release tension. I don’t know if she knew much more English but she definitely knew «robe off, face down»… yes ma’am! There’s no modesty here. No modest draping while you get undressed and under covers. Nope, strip down, lie down, and then she covers you up. Door open, no privacy. I’m ok with that, but some people may feel self conscious. She worked hard on my back, getting up on the table and pressing in with her elbows and really getting into the knots and stiff spots.
After a little more than an hour, she led me back to the lock room and we steamed and hot tubbed it a little longer. We used the blow dryers and lotion, etc. on the counter and they also have toothbrushes available to use (and then take, don’t put them back, that’s weird).
Overall, this place was great. When you find the spot the Korean women spend their Sunday, you’ve found the right place. Very rarely did I feel out of place being a tall, broad white woman in among the small, thin Korean women.
Drink a ton of water and bring your own hairbrush (they have them there to use but I just find that weird…)

My wife and I came on a Friday morning to get a body scrub. We were told 1^st appointment for her would be 1:30pm. So we booked the time and went shopping. At 12:50 we returned to prep (shower, steam…) for our body scrubs. At 1:45 a gentleman showed up and told me I was the 3^rd person in line for body scrub (each scrub takes about 30 – 40 minutes). I went to the front desk and exam ex that I had a 1:30 appointment and could not wIt the extra time. I was given a refund for the body scrub but still charged the $ 20 day pass fee. Owner/​manager would not even discuss with me and left the task to the front desk woman. Do not think I would return.

Loverly. Just loverly.
I came here for the $ 20 day pass. It includes all the non-​service amenities. First, the place is clean. As with all spas, you need to take off your shoes before entering the locker room, which in turn leads you to all the other rooms. Wooden floors, yay. The lockers are spacious and also clean. You get a key with which to wrap around your arm with a plastic band so you don’t lose it.
Shirts, pants, and towels are aplenty.
The place is segregated by sex, so females have their own facilities, and males have their own. There are coed facilities, but I didn’t see/​try them out.
1. hot clay w/​charcoal room
for more info:
this has room for 3 people, includes wooden headrest. This is for people who want a nice place to lay down and rest. No steam, just warmth and heat. You can feel yourself steadily sweating your problems away :) — I stayed in here for about an hour or so, actually. Quite easy to fall asleep in.
2. Tubs
There are three tubs, located behind the showers in the same room. One which is cold, another warm, and the last, hot. The cold one has a waterfall from the ceiling, Put your head or back under the stream for a fun massage. The warm and hot tubs are as expected, and all quite clean, no mildew anywhere.
3. herbal steam sauna
for more info:
I didn’t notice the herbs, but whatever. A typical sauna room. Looked quite clean, and nothing sketchy.
4. dry room
You dry up in this room, by standing in it for about a minute or less. Don’t touch the extremely hot walls! It’s essentially an oven.
5. Showers
The showers are fine, you’ll need to bring your own soap and shampoo! They also have sit down wash stations.
Well worth my money.

Loved It! This is not «fluff and buff», but serious business! Low key — no one will bother you here — a great place to go and chill.
My first time at a Korean Bath House and I’ll be back. Not for the shy if you don’t like being naked around other women, but it takes only a few minutes to get over that shyness.
I went with a friend and we hung out in the charcoal room for a little while (very hot) and then moved to the less hot Jade room. Will have to try the other room with all the salt in it next time!
I was scrubbed to within and inch of my life! We were in sectioned off part of the «spa» area for our scrub. 3 tables side by side. One woman on each table. You are flipped front & back & side to side and scrubbed quite thoroughly.
My scrub was followed by a wonderful deep-​tissue massage in a private room. I’m pretty picky and it was great.
I also opted for a 20 minute reflexology at the end of my massage and it was heaven!
$ 125 bought me a body scrub, deep tissue massage (60″) and 20″ reflexology. I tipped cash on that at the end in the envelope provided at the front desk!
I can’t wait to go back!

Today is the first day of summer break for public school teachers in Philadelphia. Collectively, we had a tough year this year and we deserve some pampering. Also, collectively, we have a bit of a hangover from a few days in a row of intense happy-​hour-​ing. So, two of my girlfriends (also teachers) and I made the journey up Broad Street to Chung Dam today, and boy was it worth it.
I got a body scrub and massage– a 90 minute treatment for just $ 60. I am pretty sure I got about a pound of dead skin (that I didn’t even know was there) scrubbed from my body. The massage was wonderful as well.
After my massage, I enjoyed the different tubs and heated rooms that they had to offer. It was a nice variety and very enjoyable.
The facility itself is clean, and there were very few people there in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday– just my style! I’m almost hesitant to review Chung Dam Spa because it seems like a well-​kept secret and I’d like it to stay that way.
Also, it’s open until 11:30 which makes me think, how awesome would it be to arrive after dinner, relax until closing time, and go right into a blissful slumber?