Warung Suriname: A Slice of Paramaribo in Almelo
Javanese-Surinamese warung cooking, served OP=OP style in the heart of Twente
Why Go
Tucked into Almelo's Nieuwstraat, Warung Suriname brought a proper taste of the Javaans-Surinaamse kitchen to eastern Netherlands in 2022 ΓÇö the kind of pom, roti and bami you'd otherwise have to chase down in Amsterdam-Zuidoost or Den Haag.
The Experience
This is a warung in the truest sense: a compact, takeaway-first counter where Javanese kitchen princesses (Javaanse keukenprinsessen) do the cooking, not a polished sit-down operation. You walk up, breathe in the ketjap-and-sambal fog drifting from the kitchen, order at the counter, and either take a small perch inside or carry your foil trays home. The vibe is warm, family-run and delightfully unfussy ΓÇö Suriname on a plate, dropped into a Twentse shopping street. Portions are generous, sambal is not decorative, and the pace slows the moment the trays hit the counter.
What to Try
Start with the rijst met pom, kip en groente (Γé¼12.50) ΓÇö pom is the Surinamese-Jewish casserole of pomtajer root and chicken, and this version is properly baked, tangy and rich. The rijst met kip dijfilet is the crowd favourite: stewed thigh in Javaans-Surinaamse spices with a sharp cucumber zuur that cuts the coconut sweetness. Vegetarians should grab the masala aardappel met kouseband (Γé¼9.50). Don't skip a bara or telo on the side, and finish with a dawet or a cold Fernandes if they've got one in the fridge.
Insider Tip
Warung Suriname works strictly OP=OP ΓÇö when the daghpotjes are empty, they're empty, and that often happens well before the 21:00 close. Regulars call in their order by mid-afternoon on Friday and Saturday, or arrive right at 16:00 opening to catch the pom straight out of the oven. Also: they're shut Mondays, which trips up first-timers.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Nieuwstraat 118, 7605 AH Almelo. Open TueΓÇôSun 16:00ΓÇô21:00, closed Mondays. Mostly takeaway with limited counter seating. Cash and pin accepted. Order ahead via their Foodticket page or Thuisbezorgd for delivery within Almelo. Mains Γé¼9.50ΓÇôΓé¼14; a full meal for two with sides runs around Γé¼30. About 5 minutes' walk from Almelo Centrum station.
Pair It With
- Bussloo or Hulsbeek recreation area — Grab a warung takeaway and turn a lakeside afternoon into a proper Surinaams picknick ΓÇö the foil trays travel beautifully.
- Almelo Centrum stroll — The Nieuwstraat location puts you a short walk from the Waagplein and the Grotestraat shops, ideal for a browse before your 16:00 pickup slot.
- A Sang Junior De Tweewieler Guide — If you're already exploring Twente by bike, plan the return leg to end at Warung Suriname's opening bell ΓÇö earned appetite meets earned pom.