Pom
Suriname's party casserole of root and chicken
Think of it as: Like a shepherd's pie made with grated tropical root
Grated root plus chicken equals birthday party.
What does it taste like?
Bright citrus tang, a gentle sweetness from the root, and savory chicken juices soaked through.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureMoist and dense
What is it?
A casserole of grated pomtayer root layered with citrus-marinated chicken and baked. It's the star of Surinamese birthday parties and is also eaten stuffed in bread rolls.
How locals eat it
Scooped from a big tray at parties. The broodje pom (pom sandwich) is a hit in the Netherlands, too.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇸🇷Suriname
CapitalParamaribo
Populationabout 650,000estimate (unverified)
IndustriesGold and oil, Alumina, Rice and bananas
Famous peopleAnton de KomWriter and anti-colonial activist
HelloHallo (Dutch)
CurrencySurinamese dollar
Fun factAbout 90% forest — one of the most forested countries on Earth — and the only Dutch-speaking country in South America.
The flag🇸🇷 Green for fertile land, white for justice and freedom, red for progress, and a gold star for unity and a bright future.
From Tokyoabout 15,140 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Paramaribo
Getting thereAbout 24+ hours (with connections)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeAugust to November, the long dry season. Also tryRotiBara (fried dough)Nasi goreng
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeAugust to November, the long dry season. Also tryRotiBara (fried dough)Nasi goreng
🇸🇷 Sounds & life in Suriname
HalloHello（Hallo (Dutch)）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
AnthemGod zij met ons Suriname
MusicKaseko Drum-and-brass dance music born in Suriname
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer
Clarence Seedorf (soccer, Suriname-born Netherlands star) World HeritageHistoric Inner City of Paramaribo and more National flowerFaya lobi (Ixora) FestivalKeti Koti (July 1, Emancipation Day)
MusicKaseko Drum-and-brass dance music born in Suriname
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer
Clarence Seedorf (soccer, Suriname-born Netherlands star) World HeritageHistoric Inner City of Paramaribo and more National flowerFaya lobi (Ixora) FestivalKeti Koti (July 1, Emancipation Day)
Ingredients
- Grated pomtayer 1 kg
- Chicken 600 g
- Onions 2
- Tomatoes 2
- Orange or lemon juice 1/2 cup
- Butter 50 g
- Nutmeg, a pinch
- Salt and pepper
Can't find it? Pomtayer is hard to find — grated taro mixed with potato is the usual swap.
How to make it (one way)
- Cut the chicken small and marinate in citrus juice, salt and pepper
- Sauté onion and tomato in butter, add the chicken and simmer
- Mix the grated root with butter, nutmeg and some chicken juices
- Layer root, chicken, then root in a baking dish
- Bake at 180°C for about 1 hour until golden