Yi Chu
Late-night Chinese comfort food in the heart of Oranjestad
Why Go
On an island where most kitchens close early and dinner options can be counted on one hand, Yi Chu is the after-dark lifeline locals rely on when the craving hits and the sun has long gone down.
The Experience
Statia's nightlife isn't glossy clubs or beachfront DJs — it's small, family-run rooms with fluorescent lights, a laminated menu, a cold beer in your hand and easy conversation drifting in from the street. Yi Chu fits squarely into that tradition: an unfussy Chinese eatery of the kind that has quietly become a fixture of small Dutch Caribbean towns, serving generous portions of stir-fried noodles, fried rice and Cantonese-style plates to a mixed crowd of Statians, expats, dive guides winding down after a night dive, and the occasional harbor worker grabbing a takeaway. Order at the counter, grab a Polar or a Heineken from the fridge, and settle in. It's not a scene — it's the place you end up at when the rest of the island has gone to sleep and you still want something hot on your plate.
What to Try
Stick to the classics that Chinese-Caribbean kitchens do best: bami or nasi goreng (Indonesian-influenced fried noodles and rice, a staple across the Dutch Caribbean), sweet-and-sour chicken, or a plate of fried rice with shrimp. Ask for pika (local hot sauce) or soy on the side, and don't be shy about ordering an extra portion of noodles for the walk home — leftovers make a very good next-day breakfast.
Insider Tip
On a tiny island like Statia, options for a late bite are genuinely limited, so call ahead if you're arriving after 9 p.m. — kitchens here run on demand, and if the neighborhood is quiet they may start winding down early. Cash (in USD, the local currency) is always the safest bet; card machines on Statia are famously temperamental.
The Practical Stuff
Located in central Oranjestad (Plus Code F2H8+C3Q), easy walking distance from most guesthouses in the Upper Town. Takeaway is the default, but you can usually eat in if there's a free seat. Cash preferred. No reservations. Portions are generous and prices are firmly local, not tourist-priced — expect a full meal for well under what a hotel restaurant would charge. Confirm current opening hours locally before making a special trip; Statia businesses often adjust hours seasonally.
Pair It With
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — A short stroll away, making Yi Chu the natural takeaway stop on your way back from an evening walk around Oranjestad.
- Aquarium - Dive Site Guide — Statia is one of the Caribbean's most underrated dive destinations — a hot plate of fried rice at Yi Chu is exactly what you want after a long day underwater.
- Alvin V Courtar Park Guide — Grab takeaway from Yi Chu and eat it in the park for an unpretentious, very-Statian evening picnic.
