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  The Story Time U.F.O. Has Landed: Mandarin Milestones, Closing Ceremonies, and Left-Handed Hanzi Struggles 🛸 BEEP-BOOP! ZZZZAP! 👽🛸 Hold onto your keyboards, Story Time family, because the Story Time U.F.O. just hovered right over our headquarters and zapped another fresh episode straight into your digital inbox! No delays, no cosmic detours—just pure, unfiltered updates delivered straight from the mothership to you. If you haven’t beamed aboard yet, make sure you join the U.F.O. community so you never miss a single transmission! HSK 1 Conquered: 98s, 196s, and a Whole Lot of Love for Mandarin 📚🇨🇳 This time around, we are talking about a massive milestone: the closing ceremony hosted by the Confucius Institute Suriname ! If you’ve been following along, you probably know that my love for learning languages has completely got me hooked on Mandarin. Recently, I wrapped up my HSK 1 lessons 8- 15 course with a sweet 98 out of 100 score , followed by acing the official HSK 1 t...

Bara, Samosa and Loempia Iconic Surinamese snacks

                   Bara, Semosa, and Loempia

                    Iconic Surinamese snacks

Iconic Surinamese Snacks: A Taste of Love

Hello, my Story Time friends! I'm back, and in this edition, I want to talk to you about some Iconic Surinamese Snacks. These delicious treats are an absolute must-try when you are traveling through our beautiful country.

Today, I’m highlighting three snacks that are absolute favorites at Surinamese gatherings. We have many more, of course, but these three are truly legendary.

Why Food is My Love Language

In this country, I am one spoiled Queen! 👑 I have so many friends who encourage my introverted nature to come out and be a part of their families and communities. Because of them, I can roam free in every corner of this gorgeous tropical land. 🌴

Each friend shares their food and treats with me—not as a task, but out of pure kindness. I wouldn’t be a true foodie if I didn't let them stuff me with all kinds of dishes! My "inner monk" knows that when Surinamese people share food, they are sharing love. I can taste that love in every single bite. 🧡

🥯 What is a Bara?

The Bara is a snack that originated in India and made its way to Suriname centuries ago with the first Indian immigrants. They brought their religion, culture, and these delicious recipes with them. 🇮🇳➡️🇸🇷

In our integrated, multi-ethnic society, we share everything—from food to national holidays. A Bara is a savory, deep-fried lentil dumpling. It is so famous here that you’ll find it in almost every kitchen; even my Javanese friends make a fantastic Bara!

  • How it’s made: It’s crafted from soaked, ground split black lentils (urdi).

  • The Chutney: Bara is always eaten with chutney. My personal favorite is aloo (potato) chutney, which has a nice spicy kick! 🌶️

  • Pro Tip: It’s a perfect vegetarian option that even meat lovers will adore!

🥟 What is a Samosa?

The Samosa is another incredibly popular fried snack. In Suriname, it is a crispy, triangle-shaped pastry usually filled with masala mashed potatoes and seasoned chicken. 🍗🥔

It is a treat you simply have to taste for yourself while adventuring through this warm, tropical country. In the future, I plan to share videos of how these authentic snacks are made in different districts, so make sure to subscribe to my Story Time blog so you don’t miss a single bite! 👾😋

Note: Samosas are usually served with spicy ketchup. Surinamese people love their pepper! If someone is sharing food with you, be sure to let them know your spice tolerance level! 🔥

🥢 What is a Loempia?

The Loempia is the Surinamese take on an egg roll, and we love to fry ours until they are perfectly golden brown and extra crunchy! 🍤

Our local version is typically stuffed with:

  • Chicken

  • Long beans (kouseband)

  • Mung bean sprouts (taugé)

Like the Samosa, it’s served with plain or spicy ketchup. Whether you are at a party or a local restaurant, you will have no problem finding these crunchy delights. If you’ve come to the Caribbean for a food adventure, you’ve definitely come to the right place! 🏝️🍴

These are just a few of Suriname's most iconic snacks. Next time, I’ll be adding even more to the list! I can't wait to share more food adventures with you.

Until next time, right here on Story Time!

Lots of love, Shachem Lieuw 🧡✨


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