Ocean Joy Restaurant
Lekker tjauwmin on Paramaribo's Chinese high street
Why Go
On GompertstraatΓÇöthe artery of Paramaribo's ChinatownΓÇöOcean Joy dishes out the Surinamese-Chinese comfort food locals grew up craving, from wok-charred tjauwmin to platters of moksi meti that arrive fast, generous, and unapologetically heavy on the soy.
The Experience
Ocean Joy sits mid-block on Verlengde Jacques Gompertstraat, the Chinese shopping strip northeast of the city center, so the walk in comes with a soundtrack of scooters, minimart shutters clattering, and the sizzle of neighboring woks. Inside it's the classic Sranan-Chinese formula: bright lighting, wipe-clean tables, a laminated menu that runs pages deep, and staff who don't waste words. Come solo for a fast bowl at the counter, or pull a family togetherΓÇöthe portions are built for sharing, and orders land at the table almost before you've settled in. It's not a place you linger over candlelight; it's a place you eat well, pay a fair bill, and roll home full.
What to Try
Start with the tjauwminΓÇöthe house shouts about it for a reason, and the wok hei on a good night is the real deal. Add a plate of moksi meti (mixed roast pork, chicken, and duck over rice) so everyone at the table gets a taste of Suriname's Chinese-Creole crossover. Foo yong hai with a puddle of sweet tomato gravy is the nostalgic order locals default to, and a bowl of wonton soup rounds it out. If you're two or more, split a whole steamed fish with ginger and scallionΓÇöit's the dish that separates a solid Chin. Rest. from a great one.
Insider Tip
Tuesdays are closedΓÇödon't make the trip. Suriname's Chinese restaurants also do a brisk takeaway trade, so if the dining room feels quiet, phone your order ahead (+597 461888) and eat it hot on a hotel balcony instead of waiting through the dinner rush. And order 'met sambal'ΓÇöthe house chili on the side is where the flavor really wakes up.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Verlengde Jacques Gompertstraat 176, Paramaribo. Hours: 11:00ΓÇô23:00, closed Tuesdays. Price range: mid-range (SRD, cash preferredΓÇöconfirm card acceptance before ordering). Phone: +597 461888 / +597 890-1099. About a 10-minute taxi from the historic center; parking is on-street and generally easy outside peak lunch. Casual dress, no reservations needed for small groups.
Pair It With
- Gompertstraat stroll — Walk the Chinese shopping street before or after dinnerΓÇösupermarkets, bakeries, and shops give you a snapshot of Paramaribo's Hakka community that shaped the cuisine on your plate.
- 101 Suites Guide — One of the nearby hotels in the Ocean Joy orbitΓÇöeasy walking distance for guests who want a hearty local dinner without a taxi ride back.
- Central Market (Centrale Markt) — Pair a lunch here with a morning at Paramaribo's central market to see the raw ingredientsΓÇöbok choy, tauge, sambal peppersΓÇöthat feed the city's Chin. Rest. scene.