I know this sounds like a strange question, but I live on a tiny island in Alaska and the opportunity for my favorite foods are extremely limited. What is the best Chinese food place on the island? What about Thai food, are there any Thai places?

We have taken out from China Nobo (a local place on Kaya Industria, the same road as Lisa Gas and the Warehouse, but much further) before, but have not eaten in the restaurant itself (too hot!). Asked what vegetables were fresh that day, and had the owner make up her garlic broccoli special (broccoli was fresh from her garden) plus a second chicken dish. Had enough food for two nights (wife and I are NOT big eaters), and since we were staying at Belmar, was not a problem.

Perhaps some on-islanders will also respond and provide better insight.

One caveat about 'Chinese' food on Bonaire: most of the recipes have passed through Indonesia on the way to Bonaire. China Nobo has the closest to classic Chinese that I have had on the island, but I have not sampled all the Chinese restaurants.

Ah, that there should be a good Thai (or Vietnamese!!!} restaurant on Bonaire. Heaven indeed! I believe a good Asian restaurant would be best. :–)

(Message edited by glenr on May 24, 2006)

China Nobo does pretty decent Chinese food. Glen's comment is well-founded. The Chinese residents of the island have adapted the cuisine to Dutch taste, and that tends to mean a bit of an Indonesian drift in the food. Ask to see the Chinese menu, ask for it to come with sticky rice, and you will get a good meal.

Dr. Director's definition of "much further" has been distorted by the Bonaire experience. China Nobo is at the intersection of Kaya Nikiboko Suid, Kaya Industria, and Kaya Emerenciana (as Kaya Industria crosses Kaya Nikiboko Suid, it changes names to Kaya Emerenciana). It is about 1 kilometer past Warehouse Bonaire.

Thanks much. I will be sure to find China Nobo and check it out.

Chins Nobo has an air conditoned dining room off to the right behind the bar as you enter the place. Annie will cook anything to your taste...diet, veggie, low fat/salt, etc. There are at least 12 more chineese places with varying degrees of authenticity. The influence is more from Surinam and India via Indonesia.

Thats it, from now on, Michael will be known as Mr. Info.

Chins Nobo gets my vote. Pool anyone?

Susan,
In Bonaire Dining Guide, there's a mention of Thai dinner sail on Samur sailing. I've never taken a cruise on the boat so would not know if it's authentic Thai's food or not.
Agree with Michael that Chinese food on the island has a touch of Indonesia influence, definitely does not taste like Chinese food from Chinese restaurants in the States.

Chino Nobo is great. Annie Chan and her husband and now the next generation are classically trained (in China) before NYC then Bonaire. They will custom cook too. We eat there 2x a week each trip and always have left-overs the next day.
We love to pack a Chinese take-away dinner and head down south to the Willemstoren Lighthouse for a dinner on the steps and watch the stars and Milky Way at our special "Astronomical Lounge". Bami or nosi goreng is really affordable and very tasty.

Now I am hungry........

Bud

I must have hit it bad when I go bc the serving sizes were very small...love the food tho..I also like Nadia Snack.

China nobo's take out sizes are much larger than what they serve on premises...

Sawasdee. If you'd like to taste a real Thai cuisine, there's a Thai woman named "Ram" take order at her house in Santa Barbara. Her phone no. is 717-7875.

I hope someone will try this Thai food and report back to us here. A good Thai food source on Bonaire would be good.

Susan,
Maybe you can try out Peking at Kaya Korona as well, their phone number is 717-7170. If you have any question regarding their food before ordering ask for the owner's son David, he speaks fluent english.

I'm not really into Thai food. Anyone know if there is a Vietnamese place on Bonaire?

Thanks for the phone-number of Ram. I will try it in july certainly. I am importing Thai Wine from Siam Winery with the brand Monsoon Valley(really good wine!!! They do have 2 harvoust a year!!) in the Netherlands and "have to visit a lot of Thai Restaurants" here :-). I will give you feedback about my experience there.

Thank you thank you... China Nobo was great and just what I was looking for. We wish could have taken the owner back to Alaska with us.

(Message edited by Dapher on June 27, 2006)