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Paramaribo (Suriname)
Hotels in area
Snack
Vegan
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
250kcal
8gProtein
34gCarbs
10gFat
6gFibre
100 gServing
* Per serving · 100 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
Bara
How to order / say it
Say it
Bara — [Bah-rah]
Order
I'll have some Bara, please.
Locally
Ik neem graag een Bara, alstublieft.
Say locally
A fried dough made with black-eyed peas and spices.
Why try it?
Bara is a street food favorite in Paramaribo that highlights the blend of Indian and Afro-Surinamese flavors, often enjoyed during cultural festivals or casual snacking.
How it tastes
Crispy on the outside and soft inside, Bara offers a savory, mildly spicy flavor with earthy notes from lentils and spices.
Origin & History — first documented: 1880
Bara was brought to Paramaribo by Indian immigrants in the late 19th century and transformed into a cherished street snack, often found at markets and festivals.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🫘 200 g black-eyed peas
- 🌾 150 g flour
- 🧂 1 tsp cumin
- 🧂 1 tsp turmeric
- 🧄 1 small onion
- 🥕 1 medium chili pepper
- 🫒 500 ml oil
Method
- 1 Soak black-eyed peas overnight and blend with spices, flour, and water to make dough.
- 2 Form small balls and flatten them into discs.
- 3 Heat oil and fry discs until golden brown.
- 4 Drain excess oil on paper towels.
- 5 Serve hot, optionally with chutney or pickles.
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