Worstmin Worstwaren: Paramaribo's No-Frills Sausage Counter
A neighborhood worst shop on Gompertstraat where Surinamese meat pudding is the whole point.
Why Go
Tucked into the residential blur of Gompertstraat, Worstmin is one of those low-key Paramaribo counters that locals know by heart and travelers usually miss. There's no dining room to speak of, no menu card to puzzle over ΓÇö just glass cases stacked with coils of Surinamese worst, the smoky, spiced meat pudding that has become a national obsession. You stop in, point at what looks good, and walk out with a warm parcel that costs less than a beer.
The Experience
The vibe is closer to a Dutch slagerij than a restaurant: fluorescent lighting, a chest freezer humming in the corner, hand-lettered signs in Sranan and Dutch, and a steady trickle of regulars ordering by the pound. Most people eat standing on the pavement or take their haul home, so plan to grab-and-go rather than linger. Service is quick and matter-of-fact ΓÇö if you speak a little Dutch or point confidently, you'll be sorted in under two minutes. Gompertstraat itself is a quiet residential-commercial stretch north of the historic center, so it feels like you're eating where Paramaribans actually eat, not on the tourist track.
What to Try
The house specialty is Surinamese worst ΓÇö a dense, garlicky, lightly smoked meat pudding that eats somewhere between a boudin and a Dutch rookworst. Order it as a broodje worst (stuffed into a soft roll with mustard and, crucially, a knife-tip of Madame Jeanette sambal), or ask for a length to reheat later. Regulars also grab bakabana-style fried sides and hard-boiled eggs when they're out, plus cold Parbo or Fernandes soft drinks from the cooler to wash it all down.
Insider Tip
Come mid-morning or just after the school run ΓÇö the worst is at its freshest when the first batch is still warm, and the display thins out fast by early afternoon. If you're taking some back to your guesthouse, ask them to vacuum-seal or wrap for travel; a coil keeps two to three days chilled and reheats beautifully in a pan of simmering water. And do not skip the sambal ΓÇö worst without heat is a missed opportunity.
The Practical Stuff
Gompertstraat 124, in the residential belt north of downtown Paramaribo ΓÇö about a 10-minute drive or SRD 40ΓÇô60 taxi from the Waterkant. Cash (SRD) is king; some counters take Euros for larger orders but don't count on cards. It's a takeaway-style spot, so no reservation needed and no dress code beyond 'you're standing on a sidewalk in the tropics.' Best visited before 2pm; smaller worst shops in Paramaribo often sell out and close early.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A nearby stay on the same side of town ΓÇö walk or short taxi over for a warm broodje worst breakfast before heading into the center.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Grab a coil of worst and a couple of soft rolls to pack as a road-lunch before a half-day off-road tour into the interior.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Fuel up on hearty Surinamese sausage first ΓÇö you'll want the calories before a hot afternoon on the water.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Pick up wheels nearby and make Worstmin your first stop on a self-drive food crawl through Paramaribo's neighborhood worstwaren counters.