Best Food from Suriname – Top 10 Dishes you have to try!

If you’re ever in the mood for some truly unique and delicious food, then Suriname is the place to be! This small South American country has a cuisine that is heavily influenced by its colonial past, as well as its indigenous and African populations. As a result, you’ll find a wide variety of dishes to try while you’re here. To help you out, I’ve put together a list of the 10 best Surinamese dishes that you absolutely have to try!

Suriname is located on the northeastern coast of the continent. The cuisine of Suriname is a reflection of the various cultures that have settled in the country, including Indian, Creole, Javanese, Chinese and Dutch influences. So without further ado, here are 10 of the best Surinamese dishes that you absolutely have to try!

Roti

Roti is a type of flatbread that is popular in Suriname. It is usually made from wheat flour, though other flour such as rice or cassava flour can also be used. The dough is kneaded and then rolled out into a thin sheet before being cooked on a griddle. Roti is often served with curries or other dipping sauces.

Essentially, roti is a flattened pancake made of flour, water, and oil. Unlike other pancakes, roti does not contain leavening agents such as egg or baking powder. When placed on a griddle, the roti will puff up slightly due to the heat, creating small pockets of air that make it soft and fluffy. Roti is served in many different ways around the world: sometimes as part of breakfast with sweetened coconut milk; sometimes as part of dinner alongside various dishes.

In Suriname, roti binnenhuis is typically stuffed with yellow lentils or potatoes. Roti Kip, on the other hand, is topped with chicken and potatoes, although pumpkin and green beans are sometimes included. This dish is eaten using hands-only rather than with utensils to preserve tradition.

Pom

Surinamese cuisine is most identified by dishes such as Pom. To make it, you must first bake a chicken and season it with local ingredients that give the dish its unique flavor. People usually eat pom during celebrations like birthdays, family reunions, and commemorative parties.

Although its origins are disputed, many say it stems from the Jewish community. Pum is comprised of fried and chopped chicken, citrus juices, pomtajer (a popular Surinamese plant), and a sauce made from ingredients like margarine, oil, tomatoes, onions, salt, and nutmeg.

Everything is introduced in the oven for about an hour or until you notice a golden color in the pom. Then, it is cut into pieces and served with rice and vegetables. It can also be left to cool and served as a sandwich with slices of bread.

Moksi Alesi

Moksi Alesi is a dish that is of Afro-Surinamese origin. It consists of rice, beans, and chicken that has been stewed in a curry sauce. The sauce is made from scratch using fresh ingredients like garlic, ginger, cumin, and cloves. Moksi Alesi is usually served with Plantain or Baka (a type of yam).

The dish gets its name from the African slaves who were brought to Suriname to work on plantations. “Alesi” is an African word meaning “sauce”, while “moksi” refers to the rice and beans that are traditionally cooked together. In some parts of Suriname, Moksi Alesi is also known as “Moksi Meti”, which simply means “rice and beans”.

Originally, this dish was consumed by lower-class citizens in Suriname. Now, however, it has become a favorite amongst all strata of society. This dish is typically eaten at lunch in Suriname, but it may also be part of a celebration.

Bakabana

Bakabana is a traditional Surinamese dish that is made with plantains. The plantains are first boiled or steamed, then mashed and mixed with spices like garlic, onion, and chili pepper. This mixture is then fried in oil until it forms a fritter-like cake. Bakabana is usually served with rice and vegetables on the side.

This dish is often eaten as a side dish or snack, but can also be served as a main course. Bakabana is a popular street food in Suriname and can be found at most markets and roadside stalls. It is typically served with dipping sauces such as ketchup or mayonnaise.

Bakabana is a dish with African roots, as plantains are native to Africa. This dish was brought to Suriname by slaves who were taken from their homeland. Today, bakabana is enjoyed by people of all backgrounds in Suriname.

Nasi Goreng

Nasi goreng is a type of fried rice that is popular in Suriname. It is usually made with chicken or shrimp, though other meats such as beef or pork can also be used. The rice is typically seasoned with soy sauce, chili sauce, and kecap manis (a sweet soy sauce).

It is a dish that is commonly found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The Surinamese version of nasi goreng differs from the traditional version in a few ways. First, the rice is typically cooked with garlic and shallots, giving it a more pronounced flavor. Second, nasi goreng is usually made with chicken or shrimp, rather than the traditional beef or pork.

The dish is typically seasoned with soy sauce, chili sauce, and kecap manis (a sweet soy sauce). It can also be served with various side dishes such as pickled cucumbers, crackers, and peanuts.

Peanut Soup

Peanut soup, also called Pinda soup, is a traditional Surinamese soup that is made with peanuts, chicken, and vegetables. The soup is usually thick and creamy, due to the addition of peanut butter. Peanut soup is typically served with rice or bread on the side.

This dish is thought to have originated from the enslaved Africans who were brought to Suriname to work on plantations. Peanut soup was originally made as a way to stretch meager ingredients and make them go further. Today, however, peanut soup is enjoyed by people of all backgrounds in Suriname. It has become a national dish and can be found in most restaurants.

This soup can also be served with various other side dishes such as plantains, crackers, and peanuts.

Saoto Soup

Another Javanese food that came to Suriname and became a part of its culinary tradition is Saoto soup. Despite the fact that there are numerous methods to make this soup, it is generally made up of broth, veggies, and meat.

To prepare the saoto soup, you’ll need the following ingredients: broth water, garlic, onion, peppers, laos, bay leaf, lemon grass, fried joints (meat only), chicken breast (optional), fried potatoes (optional), bean sprouts (required), fry noodles (required), parsley (optional), boiled eggs and sweet and sour sauce.

Surinamese cuisine is a true blended masterpiece of cultures, creativity and flavors. The dish becomes evidence of this when all the ingredients come together perfectly. One of the most popular dishes during cold weather, it is easy to follow the below steps to get started.

First, heat water in a saucepan and place all broth ingredients inside. Next, boil the chicken breast in that same pan until cooked through. After letting it cool slightly so you can handle it, shred the meat then fry it in a separate skillet with some added oil or butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste as well as soy sauce before serving hot – Enjoy!

Kip Saté

Kip Saté is a Javanese appetizer that consists of skewers with various meats, such as beef, pork, chicken and even crocodile. The meat is marinated in soy sauce before cooking it on a stick over a grill.

Since the mid-19th century when it was brought by the Javanese, this dish has become overwhelmingly popular among Surinamese people. It is typically made with chicken that has been marinated in sugar, ketoembar, garlic,ketjap (a Javanese soy sauce), and pepper.

Kip Saté, a dish often served with spicy peanut sauce, can be either fried or grilled to the diner’s preference. The key to this meal’s success lies in the combination of peanut sauce and saté.

Kip Saté skewers are best enjoyed with rice, and is one of the most popular Surinamese recipes.

Kapsalon

Kapsalon, which means hairdresser in Dutch, is a dish with an interesting backstory. It is a fast food that was created when Nathaniël Gomes, a hairdresser from Rotterdam, asked to have all the ingredients of his favorite dishes combined into one meal.

The Kapsalon became a hit when other diners saw it and asked for the same thing. Then, it spread all over Holland to Suriname. To prepare the Kapsalon, you need to place a layer of french fries on a disposable metal tray. After that, add shawarma or meat before topping it off with slices of Gouda cheese. Lastly, put it in the oven until gratinized.

After that, shredded iceberg lettuce is placed on top and dressed with sambal and garlic sauce. This dish, which dates back to the early 2000s, has quickly gained popularity throughout the world.

Javaanse Bami (Javanese Noodles)

Javaanse Bami is a culinary contribution of the Indonesians who arrived in Suriname in 1890. It is one of the most popular dishes in the Caribbean country. This dish is accompanied by baked chicken, some vegetables, and a sauce prepared with peanuts.

There is a great variety of bami recipes, some of them do not have meat or vegetables, but they are equally delicious. The ingredients needed for its preparation are the following: Bami (cooked, firm noodles), garlic cloves, chopped onions, parsley, celery, black pepper, salam leaves, bouillon cube, dried shrimp, soy sauce and oil.

Boil water with oil and salt in a pot, then add the bami. After boiling al dente, they should be rinsed and drained with cold water to prevent sticking. In a hot pan with oil, sauté the onion along with black pepper, garlic, salam leaves, half a celery stalk, bouillon cube, dried shrimps, and soy sauce. Stir constantly while stir-frying before adding the noodles.

Stir the contents with a big spoon. Add a little more soy until you get a light brown color, while stirring. You should taste the bami frequently to ensure that the saltiness is correct. If necessary, add more allspice, black pepper, and anything else to your liking. Serve alongside Javanese chicken, hot sauce, and pickled cucumbers as a side dish.

Surinamese Coffee

Finally, no list of Surinamese food would be complete without mentioning coffee. Surinamese coffee is a type of dark roast coffee. It is brewed with spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg to give it a unique flavor.

If you are looking for a new type of coffee to try, Surinamese coffee is a great option. It has a rich flavor that is perfect for those who enjoy dark roast coffees.

To make Surinamese coffee, start by grinding the beans in a coffee grinder. Then, add the ground beans to a pot of boiling water and let them steep for 5 minutes. After that, strain the coffee and add your desired amount of sugar and milk. Enjoy!

More Traditional Food From Latin America

• Best Food From Barbados 
• Best Mexican Soups
• Best Puerto Rican Foods
• Best Brazilian Foods
• Best Jamaican Foods

Conclusion

Because of its size, Suriname may go unnoticed by potential tourists, but it hides many precious gems, particularly in the culinary area.

Surinamese cuisine is a result of the Dutch, African, Jewish, Chinese, and Indonesian cultures melting together. This interesting mix of flavors creates a unique taste that you should experience on your next trip to Suriname.

From soups and noodles to pancakes and coffee, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So, next time you are looking for something new to eat, be sure to give Surinamese food a try!