National Dish Suriname: Bakkeljauw (Recipe)
In this article
Discover Bakkeljauw, the salted cod dish that sits at the very heart of Surinamese home cooking! Softened, flaked and fried with sweet onions, ripe tomatoes and a fiery kick of chilli, it turns a humble preserved fish into something genuinely memorable. Served with rice or warm roti, it carries the flavours of the Caribbean straight to your table — a dish born of history and still loved at every kind of meal.
About Bakkeljauw
Bakkeljauw is a traditional Surinamese dish made from salted and dried cod. Its preparation goes back to the country’s colonial history and reflects the way many different cultures have blended in the region. This distinctive delicacy is usually enriched with onions, tomatoes and a punchy chilli sauce, which give it its unmistakable character. Bakkeljauw is not simply a dish but an introduction to Surinamese food culture, bringing the aromas of the Caribbean to every bite.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 200g salted and dried cod
- 1 large onion
- 2 fresh tomatoes
- 2–3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1–2 hot chillies (to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Rice or roti, to serve
Shopping for the ingredients
Shopping for bakkeljauw is straightforward as long as you live near a well-stocked supermarket or an Asian or Caribbean grocery. The salted and dried cod is the essential element and can often be found at the fish counter or sold in wooden boxes. Look for good-quality fish, as this makes all the difference to the finished flavour. The remaining fresh ingredients, such as onions and tomatoes, are easy to pick up in the fruit and vegetable aisle.
Preparing the dish
Before you start cooking bakkeljauw, the cod needs a thorough soaking to draw out the excess saltiness. Place the fillet in cold water and leave it for at least one to two hours. Depending on your taste you can soak it for longer still, which reduces the salt content further. Once soaked, the fish should be patted dry and torn or cut into small pieces before it goes into the pan.
Step-by-step instructions
- Break the soaked cod into small pieces.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the sliced onions until golden brown.
- Add the diced tomatoes and cook briefly.
- Add the cod to the pan and mix everything together well.
- Season to taste with chillies, salt and pepper.
- Let the dish simmer for about 5–10 minutes, until the fish is heated through.
- Serve with rice or roti.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Bakkeljauw is naturally gluten-free and lactose-free, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone with these intolerances. The main ingredients — fish, vegetables and spices — contain no hidden gluten or lactose whatsoever. Do take care with the side dishes, though: if you are serving roti, choose a gluten-free flatbread so the whole plate suits your needs.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Although bakkeljauw is a fish dish, there are good ways to adapt it for vegans and vegetarians. One option is to replace the cod with tofu or jackfruit, both of which offer a convincing texture and soak up the spices beautifully — much as they do in a Jackfruit Salade. Use plenty of vegetables as well, to build up both the flavour and the nutritional value. These variations keep the character of the dish intact while suiting a plant-based diet.
More tips and tricks
There are a few useful tricks for making bakkeljauw even tastier. Adding spices such as cumin or paprika, for instance, gives the dish an extra dimension of flavour. Take care not to cook the fish for too long, or it will dry out and lose its silky texture. A scattering of fresh herbs such as coriander just before serving adds a welcome note of freshness.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Another great thing about bakkeljauw is how versatile it is. You can easily tailor the recipe to your own preferences, for example by dialling the heat up or down with more or fewer chillies. Other vegetables such as peppers or peas slip in effortlessly too. Feel free to experiment with different versions until you find the combination that suits you best.
Ingredient substitutions
If you do not have certain ingredients to hand, or simply want to swap them out, bakkeljauw offers plenty of alternatives. Instead of cod you might use stockfish or another salted fish, both of which work just as well in this preparation. You can also replace the fresh tomatoes with tomato purée for a more concentrated, intense sauce. Vary things according to what is available and what you enjoy.
Drink pairing ideas
Bakkeljauw goes wonderfully with a whole range of drinks that round out the meal. Classic partners include Caribbean soft drinks — a homemade Gemberbier is ideal — or a cold beer to complement the savoury flavours. For an alcohol-free option, fruit juices such as pineapple or mango are hugely popular. These bring not only freshness but also a touch of sweetness that plays beautifully against the salty fish.
Serving and presentation ideas
Presentation can lift the enjoyment of a dish considerably. Serve bakkeljauw in a shallow bowl and garnish it with fresh herbs such as coriander or spring onions for an appealing look. A colourful side of fried vegetables adds visual contrast and variety to the plate. An attractive arrangement not only whets the appetite but also makes a great talking point at the table.
A bit of history
Bakkeljauw is deeply rooted in Surinamese cuisine and dates back to the colonial era. It reflects the influence of the many cultures that have shaped the Caribbean region. The use of salted fish as a means of preservation has clear historical reasons and was especially important in an age before modern refrigeration. Today bakkeljauw is far more than a recipe — it is a symbol of Suriname’s cultural identity.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Bakkeljauw
Bakkeljauw is more than just a dish; it is a piece of Surinamese culture served on a plate. The combination of salted, dried cod with fresh ingredients and bold aromatics creates a delicious and genuinely distinctive eating experience. Whether it forms part of a celebratory spread or simply an everyday meal, bakkeljauw is guaranteed to delight the senses and connect you with Caribbean food culture. This recipe is an open invitation to experiment and to discover the wonderful variety of Surinamese cooking.
