H & T: Paramaribo's Go-To for Chinese-Surinamese Comfort Food
Wok-charred fried rice and quick counter eats on Ma Retraiteweg
Why Go
Tucked along Ma Retraiteweg on Paramaribo's quieter east side, H & T is the kind of neighborhood café Surinamers rank by how smoky the fried rice tastes — and by that measure, locals keep coming back for a reason.
The Experience
H & T leans hard into Suriname's beloved Chinese-Creole café tradition: a small, unfussy dining room, quick counter service, and takeaway containers stacked and ready. This is functional Paramaribo eating — the kind of place that fuels bus drivers, students, and families grabbing dinner on the way home rather than a destination for lingering dates. The soundtrack is sizzling woks and cash-register clatter; the ambience is honest and busy rather than curated. Come hungry, order fast, and either grab a plastic chair inside or take your box down to the Suriname River waterfront a few minutes away. It's the sort of local spot that rarely shows up in guidebooks, which is exactly why it's worth seeking out on a trip through Paramaribo.
What to Try
The fried rice is what regulars swear by ΓÇö a smoky, well-seasoned nasi goreng generous with chicken, shrimp, or a mixed 'special', with that essential wok-hei char at the edges. Bami (stir-fried egg noodles) is the equally worthy sibling; ask for it 'special' to get the full mix of proteins. Keep an eye out for saoto soup if it's on the board ΓÇö a Javanese-Surinamese classic of turmeric broth, shredded chicken, beansprouts, and crispy fried potato. Whatever you order, the sambal on the side is non-negotiable: it's the correct amount of heat to wake everything up.
Insider Tip
Order it 'special' and ask for extra sambal ΓÇö the house chili is what separates a good plate of nasi from a great one here. Call ahead for big orders; the kitchen is compact and moves at Paramaribo pace during the lunch and evening rush. If you're a first-timer, the mixed nasi with an extra fried egg on top is the crowd-tested starter plate.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Ma Retraitteweg, Paramaribo (Plus Code RVR4+539). Cash in Surinamese dollars (SRD) is safest — card acceptance is inconsistent at Paramaribo neighborhood cafés, so bring small notes. Prices are budget-friendly, with most mains comfortably under SRD 100. Takeaway is the norm and often faster than dining in; check their TikTok (@h_t8607788) for current hours, daily specials, and any WhatsApp delivery contact. Easiest to reach by taxi or your own rental car; there's usually informal street parking out front.
Pair It With
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Refuel with H & T's smoky fried rice after a morning of ATV riding ΓÇö a hot, hearty plate is exactly what you want when you get back to the city dusty and starving.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — A wok-charred nasi is the perfect post-river lunch when you're too hungry (and too sun-drunk) to sit through a long sit-down meal.
- 101 Suites Guide — If you're staying at 101 Suites and want a genuine local dinner without a cross-city taxi, H & T is a short, low-effort hop for takeaway back to your room.