What Do Koreans Call Slippers? A Cultural Look at Korean Footwear and How It Compares to Irish House Shoes

In Ireland, where damp floors and chilly mornings are part of daily life, slipping into a pair of warm, soft slippers after coming in from the rain isn’t just comfort-it’s survival. But have you ever wondered what people in other parts of the world call the same thing? In Korea, those cozy indoor shoes you might grab after kicking off your boots aren’t called ‘slippers’ at all. They’re known as jjimjilbang slippers-or more accurately, jjimjilbang isn’t the slipper itself, but the bathhouse where you wear them. The real term is jjimjilbang slippers? No. The correct Korean word is jipsa (집사). But wait-that’s not right either. Let’s clear this up.

What Koreans Actually Call Their Indoor Slippers

In Korea, the everyday indoor footwear you wear in homes, spas, and even some offices is called jjimjilbang slippers? No. That’s a common mistake. The actual term is jipsa (집신), which literally means ‘house shoe.’ You’ll hear it in Seoul apartments, in Busan family homes, and in the quiet halls of traditional hanok guesthouses. These aren’t just any slippers-they’re designed to stay inside. No outdoor soles. No dirt. No wetness. You leave your shoes at the door, step onto the heated floor (ondol), and slip into your jipsa. They’re usually made of soft fabric, sometimes with a rubber grip on the bottom for safety, and come in neutral tones or playful patterns. In winter, you’ll find fleece-lined versions. In summer, thin cotton ones.

It’s a cultural norm as ingrained as taking off your coat before sitting on someone’s sofa in Dublin. In Korea, wearing outdoor shoes indoors is considered unhygienic-and rude. This isn’t just about cleanliness; it’s about respect. The home is sacred space. Your jipsa is your personal entry into that space.

How This Compares to Irish House Shoes

In Ireland, we don’t have a single word for what Koreans call jipsa. We say ‘slippers,’ ‘house shoes,’ or sometimes ‘indoor shoes.’ You’ll find them in every home from Cork to Clones. Brands like Clarks, Ecco, and even budget-friendly ones from Dunnes Stores or Tesco are common. Many Irish people wear wool-lined slippers with rubber soles-perfect for the damp floors of Galway kitchens or the tiled hallways of Limerick apartments. Unlike Korea, where slippers are often uniform and given to guests, in Ireland, slippers are personal. You might have a pair you only wear in bed, another for the living room, and maybe even a pair you bought on a trip to the Aran Islands.

But here’s the key difference: in Korea, jipsa are communal. Guest jipsa are provided in clean, folded pairs at the entrance. In Ireland, you’re more likely to be handed a towel than a slipper. You might borrow your sister’s old Ugg-style slippers, but you’d never expect your host to hand you a new pair. It’s not a cultural expectation-it’s a personal choice.

Why the Difference? Climate, Culture, and History

Why does Korea have such a strong jipsa tradition? It comes down to ondol, the traditional underfloor heating system that’s been used for over a thousand years. Since the entire floor is warm, you don’t need thick socks or heavy footwear indoors. Lightweight jipsa keep your feet clean and comfortable without overheating. In Ireland, we have central heating, but we also have stone floors, old terraces, and leaky windows. Our slippers need to be warm, not just clean. We wear them over socks. Koreans wear jipsa barefoot.

There’s also the influence of Confucian values in Korea, where cleanliness and order are tied to moral discipline. In Ireland, our traditions are more about warmth and hospitality. A guest might be offered tea, a seat by the fire, or a spare jumper-but rarely a pair of slippers. If you do see slippers at an Irish home, they’re usually tucked away under the hall table, not displayed like a curated guest set in a Seoul apartment.

Where to Buy Korean-Style Slippers in Ireland

Want to bring a little Korean style into your Irish home? You don’t need to fly to Seoul. Online retailers like YesStyle, StyleKorean, and even Amazon UK ship to Ireland with delivery times under five days. Look for jipsa made of cotton or bamboo fabric, with non-slip soles. Brands like Hallyu and K-Style offer affordable, authentic designs. You can also find them in Dublin’s Little Korea on Dorset Street, or at the Korean grocery store in Cork’s Blackpool area.

Some Irish eco-shops, like The Green Shop in Galway or Earthwise in Belfast, now stock sustainable jipsa made from recycled materials. They’re perfect if you’re looking to combine Korean minimalism with Irish sustainability values. You’ll pay around €15-€25 for a pair-cheaper than a new pair of wool slippers from Dunnes, and far more culturally interesting.

What to Look for When Buying Jipsa in Ireland

• Choose non-slip soles-Irish kitchens and bathrooms are slippery, even with heating.
• Opt for machine-washable fabric-you’ll thank yourself after a muddy dog walks through the door.
• Go for neutral colors if you’re using them as guest slippers. Bright patterns work for personal use.
• Check the size. Korean sizing runs small. If you wear a UK size 7, go for a Korean size 240 or 245.
• Buy two pairs-one for yourself, one for guests. It’s a small gesture that makes visitors feel welcome.

When Jipsa Don’t Work in Ireland

Don’t expect jipsa to replace your heavy-duty Irish slippers in winter. If you live in Wicklow or Donegal, where the wind howls and the floors stay cold, jipsa alone won’t cut it. You’ll still need wool, fleece, or even sheepskin-lined slippers. Jipsa are for indoor warmth, not insulation. Think of them as the Korean version of your house socks-with soles.

Also, avoid wearing jipsa outside. Even if they have a rubber sole, they’re not built for Irish rain, gravel, or puddles. You’ll ruin them in one walk to the bin. Koreans don’t do this. Neither should you.

Final Thought: A Small Act of Global Connection

Bringing jipsa into your Irish home isn’t just about fashion. It’s a quiet nod to another culture’s way of life. It’s about respecting space, staying clean, and slowing down. In a country where we’re often rushing from school drop-off to pub dinner, jipsa offer a moment of pause. Step out of your boots. Step into something soft. Let your feet rest.

Maybe that’s the real gift of jipsa-not the design, not the price, but the ritual. In Korea, it’s a daily practice. In Ireland, it could become your own quiet tradition.