Wan Long Restaurant
A no-frills Chinese-Surinamese kitchen tucked into downtown Paramaribo's Prinsessestraat.
Why Go
In a city where the Chinese-Surinamese restaurant is practically a national institution, Wan Long is the kind of unassuming neighborhood spot that keeps regulars coming back for the classics ΓÇö big portions, honest prices, and the familiar smoky perfume of a wok that never really cools down.
The Experience
Wan Long sits on Prinsessestraat, a quietly workaday street a short walk from Paramaribo's UNESCO-listed historic center. Step inside and the vibe is pure Suriname: fluorescent lighting, laminated menus in Dutch and Chinese, a takeaway counter humming with regulars picking up warm styrofoam boxes, and a handful of tables for those who want to stay. Don't come expecting design-magazine ambience ΓÇö come for the ritual. This is where taxi drivers, office workers on lunch break, and hungry travelers all order the same handful of Cantonese-Hakka classics that have been adapted to Surinamese palates over generations. Service is quick, unfussy, and transactional in the best way: point, order, eat, repeat.
What to Try
Order the way locals do: a plate of tjaumin (Surinamese-style chow mein tangled with vegetables and your choice of chicken, pork, or shrimp), moksi meti bakabana rice (fried rice heaped with roast pork, char siu, and crispy pork belly), or foeyoung hai ΓÇö a fluffy egg omelet blanketed in sweet-savory tomato gravy. Anything from the wok arrives glossy and generously portioned. Ask for madame Jeanette pepper sauce on the side if you want the true Surinamese kick ΓÇö it's fiery and fruity and transforms every bite.
Insider Tip
Chinese-Surinamese restaurants are built around takeaway (afhalen), and Wan Long is no exception. If the dining room feels sleepy, that's a red herring ΓÇö the real action is at the counter. Call ahead or stop in, place your order, then wander back through the old town while it's cooked fresh; you'll skip the wait and eat noticeably better food, since these dishes are at their peak within minutes of leaving the wok. Bring small SRD notes; card machines here can be temperamental.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Prinsessestraat 197a, Paramaribo. Roughly 10ΓÇô15 minutes on foot from the Waterkant and Onafhankelijkheidsplein ΓÇö an easy detour if you're already exploring the historic center. Cash (Surinamese dollars) is the safest bet; some Chinese-Surinamese spots accept card or local mobile payment but don't count on it. Hours weren't confirmed at the time of writing, so if you're making a special trip, check by phone or drop in earlier in the evening rather than late at night. English is limited but Dutch and pointing at the menu both work fine.
Pair It With
- Waterkant riverfront stroll — Walk off a heavy plate of tjaumin along the Suriname River promenade, five minutes away ΓÇö best at golden hour when the wooden colonial facades glow.
- Onafhankelijkheidsplein & Presidential Palace — The historic square is a short stroll from Prinsessestraat, perfect for a pre- or post-meal wander through Paramaribo's UNESCO-listed core.
- 101 Suites or nearby downtown hotels — If you're staying at one of the central Paramaribo hotels listed nearby, Wan Long is a natural, low-effort dinner option within easy walking distance.
- Central Market (Centrale Markt) — Browse the buzzing market for spices, herbs, and Surinamese produce earlier in the day, then swing by Wan Long for lunch to taste those same ingredients on the plate.