Chi Min: Paramaribo's Long-Running Cantonese Institution
A family-run Chinatown stalwart where locals pile in for generous plates of Cantonese classics.
Why Go
Tucked into Cornelis Jongbawstraat since 1989, Chi Min is the kind of red-walled, air-conditioned Chinese hall that Paramaribo families have quietly kept in rotation for decades. It's not chasing trends ΓÇö it's cooking the sweet-and-sour shrimp, soy beef and steaming noodle bowls that made Suriname's Chinese-Surinamese food scene one of the most beloved in the Guianas.
The Experience
Step in off the street and the temperature drops, the room opens up wide, and you're suddenly in a big, bustling dining room done up in Chinese red with a hum of chatter in Sranan Tongo, Dutch and Cantonese. Tables are set up for groups ΓÇö this is a place for families, birthday dinners and post-work meet-ups ΓÇö with a few private rooms tucked to the side for larger parties. Service is functional rather than fussy: menus (bilingual Dutch/English) land quickly, then it's on you to flag down the team when you're ready. Portions are big, prices stay friendly, and on a Friday night you'll be sharing the room with regulars who've been coming here longer than most Paramaribo restaurants have existed.
What to Try
Start with the shrimp a la plancha in sweet-and-sour sauce ΓÇö a house signature that shows off the Cantonese roots of Suriname's Chinese kitchens. The fried squid is another crowd favorite, crisp-edged and best shared. For something more comforting, the noodles with shrimp and pork are a reliable pick, and the fish in sweet-and-sour sauce is the dish locals name-drop most often. Vegetarians aren't an afterthought here: there's a genuine tofu section on the menu. Order more rice than you think you need ΓÇö the portions are made to stretch across the table.
Insider Tip
Bring cash ΓÇö Chi Min doesn't take cards, and there's no polite workaround if you show up wallet-light. Come early (before 7pm) on weekends or plan for a 20ΓÇô30 minute wait once the local dinner rush hits; the kitchen prioritizes throughput, not pace. If you want a quieter meal, aim for a weekday lunch when the big dining room is calm and the food comes out fast.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Cornelis Jongbawstraat 83, Paramaribo. Phone: +597 412155. Hours: SunΓÇôMon & WedΓÇôThu 11:00ΓÇô22:00, FriΓÇôSat 11:00ΓÇô23:00 (closed Tuesday). Cash only (Surinamese dollars). Mains roughly SRD 100ΓÇô210. On-site parking, takeaway available, air-conditioned, reservations accepted for larger groups. Kid- and group-friendly.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A convenient Paramaribo stay within easy reach of Chi Min ΓÇö walk over for dinner after checking in and settling into the city.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Book a daytime ATV adventure outside the city, then reward the dust-covered crew with a big shared Cantonese feast back in Paramaribo.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — After an active day on the water, Chi Min's generous rice bowls and sweet-and-sour plates are exactly the recovery meal you'll be craving.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Having wheels makes the Cornelis Jongbawstraat location and its on-site parking effortless ΓÇö ideal if you're combining dinner with exploring greater Paramaribo.