Hong Tu Restaurant
A neighborhood Chinees along Indira Gandhiweg where Suriname's Cantonese-Creole crossover shows up on every plate.
Why Go
Suriname's Chinese diaspora runs deep ΓÇö Hakka and Cantonese families arrived generations ago and quietly rewrote the country's everyday menu. Hong Tu sits in that lineage: an unassuming spot on the Indira Gandhiweg strip south of Paramaribo where locals stop for a fast, hot, family-style meal without much fanfare or tourist theater.
The Experience
Pull up along Indira Gandhiweg 739 and you'll spot the kind of place Surinamers just call 'de Chinees' ΓÇö bright fluorescent lighting, a laminated menu that reads like a novel, a takeaway counter humming with locals ordering by number, and a few plastic-tabled seats inside for anyone eating in. Orders come out fast, portions are built for sharing, and the vibe is neighborhood-canteen rather than date-night. Expect a mix of taxi drivers, families picking up dinner on the way home from Paramaribo, and Wanica residents who've had the same 'usual' for years.
What to Try
Go for the classics that show off Suriname's Chinese-Creole hybrid: bami or tjauw min (stir-fried noodles) with chicken or shrimp, moksi metie (mixed meats over rice ΓÇö often roast pork, chicken and sausage), foe yong hai with its sweet tomato gravy, and a bowl of tjap tjoi (mixed vegetables) to balance the plate. Ask for sambel on the side ΓÇö it's the Surinamese move ΓÇö and don't skip a cold Parbo or a ginger beer to cut the richness.
Insider Tip
Chinese kitchens along Indira Gandhiweg move fastest at lunch and just before dinner ΓÇö call ahead for takeaway around 12:00 or 18:00 and you'll skip the queue. If you're eating in, order at least one 'huisgemaakt' (house-made) special off the daily board rather than the printed menu; that's usually where the kitchen shows its personality.
The Practical Stuff
Located at Indira Gandhiweg 739, in Wanica just south of Paramaribo ΓÇö easiest reached by car or taxi rather than on foot. Cash (SRD) is safest; card acceptance at neighborhood Chinees spots is inconsistent, so bring small bills. Menus are typically in Dutch with Chinese characters; pointing works fine, and staff usually understand basic English. Takeaway is a strong option if you're staying nearby.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A convenient nearby stay if you want to base yourself along the Indira Gandhiweg corridor and roll into Hong Tu for a low-effort dinner after a long travel day.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Book a morning ATV run through Suriname's back-country, then swing by Hong Tu for a big, hot post-adventure plate of noodles and moksi metie on the way back.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — After an afternoon on the water, Hong Tu is the exact kind of no-fuss, high-portion Chinees meal you want before heading back into Paramaribo.