Javanese
Dawet: the pink and green drink from the warung
Dawet is a Javanese-Surinamese cold drink of coconut milk, palm sugar syrup and green strands of pandan jelly, served over ice. A glass in a Paramaribo warung typically costs SRD 25 to SRD 60.
Flavour and texture
Sweet and creamy with the caramel edge of palm sugar. Cold and thick.
Street price, indicative SRD 25–60
The green strands are cendol: jelly made from rice or mung bean flour, coloured and flavoured with pandan leaf. They sink, so stir before drinking.
In Suriname the pink syrup version is the best known, hence the colour combination that looks strange the first time it arrives.
Dawet belongs to the same migration as saoto and bami: from 1890 close to 33,000 indentured labourers were brought from the Dutch East Indies to Suriname, and ships kept arriving until 1939. In Java the drink is called es cendol or dawet, and the strands are pressed through a colander into cold water to give them their teardrop shape.
Surinamese dawet is sweeter and more often pink. The red syrup on top is a local addition, and the warungs and market stalls of Blauwgrond sell it all year round at SRD 25 to SRD 60 a glass.
It is the standard cooler alongside a spicy meal, and works better than beer.
Frequently asked questions
What is in dawet?
Coconut milk, palm sugar syrup (gula jawa), ice and green strands of cendol made from rice or mung bean flour with pandan leaf. In Suriname red syrup is often added as well.
What is dawet?
Dawet is a cold Javanese-Surinamese drink of coconut milk, palm sugar syrup and green strands of cendol, served over ice and often with a shot of red syrup. A glass in a Paramaribo warung costs SRD 25 to SRD 60.
Where does dawet come from?
From Java, carried over by the Javanese indentured labourers brought to Suriname from 1890. There the same drink is called es cendol or dawet; the Surinamese version is sweeter and usually gets red syrup with it.
Is dawet vegetarian?
Yes, and usually vegan: coconut milk, palm sugar, rice or mung bean flour and pandan leaf, with no dairy involved. A glass costs SRD 25 to SRD 60.