House of Kushiyaki
Japanese-Peruvian skewers under the palms in south Paramaribo
Why Go
Down a quiet residential lane in southern Paramaribo, a garden lit with soft lanterns hides one of Suriname's most surprising kitchens - a pan-Asian counter where charcoal-kissed kushiyaki meets Nikkei-style ceviche, all plated with a precision you rarely find in the city.
The Experience
Ramalaan 36 doesn't look like much from the street, which is half the point. You step off the road into a tucked-away garden setting where the air smells of binchotan smoke and citrus, and the pace slows down immediately. This is a chef-driven, pan-Asian spot fusing Japanese kushiyaki (grilled skewers) with Peruvian Nikkei accents - think tiradito next to yakitori, pisco heat next to yuzu. You can order a la carte, but regulars book the omakase and let the kitchen run the show: a rolling parade of small plates and skewers matched to whatever the chef has sourced that day. Service is attentive without hovering, the crowd skews local foodies and in-the-know expats, and the whole thing feels more like a private supper club than a restaurant listing.
What to Try
The omakase tasting menu is the move if you want the full range - it swings from raw fish preparations to the charcoal grill and back. Off the a la carte, look for the assorted kushiyaki platter (chicken thigh, pork belly, seasonal vegetables threaded on bamboo and cooked over charcoal), any Nikkei-style ceviche or tiradito on the board that night, and whichever bao or gyoza the kitchen is running. Ask what came in fresh - the menu leans on what the chefs found that morning.
Insider Tip
Reserve ahead and ask for a garden table rather than seating inside - the outdoor setting is the whole vibe, and it only holds a limited number of covers. If you're indecisive or it's your first visit, tell them upfront you want the omakase and mention any allergies; the kitchen will happily improvise a longer, more personal tasting than what's advertised. Cash and card both work, and free off-street parking on Ramalaan makes it easy if you've rented a car.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Ramalaan 36, Paramaribo (southern Paramaribo, off Brokopondolaan). Phone: +597 765-4661. Dinner-focused - reservations strongly recommended, especially on weekends. Table service, private dining, and takeout available; digital payments accepted; free off-street parking. Roughly a 10-15 minute drive from the city center - grab a taxi or drive yourself; it's not a walkable area from most downtown hotels.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — Comfortable Paramaribo base a short drive from Ramalaan - book a room here, cab down for the omakase, and roll home without worrying about the drive after sake pairings.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Spend the day muddy and adrenaline-charged on an ATV run through the interior, then reward yourself with a slow, chef-driven skewer dinner in the garden - one of Paramaribo's best after-adventure resets.