Lily's Hot Pot
Cook-it-yourself Chinese hot pot in the heart of Paramaribo Noord
Why Go
Suriname's melting-pot food scene gets literal at Lily's, where a bubbling cauldron of broth, a mountain of raw goodies, and a table full of friends turn dinner into a two-hour, sleeves-up ritual.
The Experience
Tucked onto Ming Doelmanstraat just north of the city centre, Lily's swaps starched-tablecloth formality for something far more fun: an induction burner drops into your table, a pot of broth starts to bubble, and platters of thinly sliced meat, seafood, tofu, mushrooms, greens and noodles keep arriving. You choose your broth (mild savoury or fiery Sichuan-style mala), swish ingredients in until they're just cooked, then dunk them in the sauces you've mixed at the condiment bar. The vibe is loud, steamy and social ΓÇö expect big Surinamese-Chinese families at the next table, groups of twenty-somethings marking a birthday, and a friendly staff who'll gladly explain the ropes if it's your first hot pot. Parking is easy, air-con is strong, and two hours evaporate before you notice.
What to Try
Order at least two broths so you can compare ΓÇö the tom yum-ish spicy pot is the crowd favourite, balanced by a milder herbal or bone broth on the other side. Load up on beef and lamb shabu slices, hand-cut fish balls, fresh shrimp, enoki and shiitake mushrooms, tofu skin, sweet potato slivers and leafy pak choi. Don't skip the hand-pulled noodles at the end ΓÇö they soak up all the flavour left in the pot. At the sauce bar, build a classic Chinese dip with sesame paste, soy, chopped garlic, spring onion, chilli oil and a splash of vinegar.
Insider Tip
Come hungry, come in a group of four or more, and call ahead on a Friday or Saturday night ΓÇö the dining room fills up with regulars and walk-ins can wait. Wear a T-shirt you don't mind smelling like broth for the rest of the evening (it's part of the deal), and pace yourself: the platters keep coming and it's easy to over-order in the first ten minutes.
The Practical Stuff
Ming Doelmanstraat 108, Paramaribo (Paramaribo Noord). Open daily 11:00ΓÇô23:00. Moderate prices ΓÇö budget roughly SRD 200ΓÇô350 per person depending on drinks and add-ons. Reservations by phone: +597 457 310 / +597 885 4673. Cash and local cards accepted; ample on-site parking. Best reached by car or taxi from the centre (about 10 minutes).
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A comfortable Paramaribo Noord stay a short drive from Lily's ΓÇö perfect if you'd rather roll straight into bed after a long, boozy hot pot session instead of driving back downtown.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Burn off the calories the next morning with a jungle ATV ride, then reward yourself with round two at Lily's ΓÇö the spicy broth hits differently after a day covered in red dust.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Spend the afternoon getting drenched on the river, then head to Lily's for hot broth, hot sauce and dry clothes ΓÇö the ideal wind-down after a wet, sunny day out.