Thai Green Papaya Salad, 'Som Tum'
Green papaya salad is loved throughout SE Asia in various forms, and we are pleased to present this detailed recipe so you can bring it to your own kitchen. Somtum is a classic Thai dish, commonly associated with the NE (Isaan) area but served all over Thailand, for example here at a sidewalk shop found on our walking tour of good eats in Saochingcha area.
Also see our video features How To Shred Green Papaya for Som Tum, Som Tum Long Bean and Noodle Salad, Som Tum Shredded Mango and Cucumber, and our new feature story on a modern take on Som Tum: Jungle Salad.
Ingredients
For 4 Person(s)
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Shredded Fresh Green Papaya, Use a Pro-Slice Thai peeler or Miracle Knife.
- 3 Medium Roma Tomatoes, or 6 cherry tomatoes
- 1 Handful Fresh string beans, 1 inch pieces
- 2 Tablespoons Dried Shrimp
- 6 Fresh Thai Chiles, Remove stems
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 2 Tablespoons Fish Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Palm Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Pickled Mud Fish (optional)
Method for Thai Green Papaya Salad, 'Som Tum'
Somtum is typically prepared three different ways. It can be 'Somtum Thai' which has peanuts mixed in, 'Somtum Bu' which has small pickled crabs pounded in, or 'Somtum Lao sai pla ra' which includes the juice of pickled mudfish.
We also offer a very simple pre-made som tum sauce that you can add to the papaya, for quick preparation.
Peel fresh green papaya, rinse the white milk off, pat dry, then shred the whole papaya. Sprinkle with a bit of salt then rinse it off and drain. Keep 2 cups shredded papaya out, and put the rest in a sealed container for later use. Slice tomatoes thinly.
In a clay Lao-style mortar & pestle, coarsely pound the fresh chiles (whole) and garlic. Add string beans and sliced tomato, and pound it lightly (do not over-crush). Add dried shrimp, fish sauce, palm sugar and lime juice. Add these items spoon-by-spoon, and taste as you go. If you want to add peanuts, add now and lightly pound (optional). If you want to add pickled mud fish (pla ra), add two tablespoons of juice (optional).
Add shredded papaya and pound together until mixed well. Serve on a dish with fresh cabbage and string beans on the side. Enjoy!
Here's our new feature story on a modern take on Som Tum: Jungle Salad.
Papaya salad som tum
Fresh green papaya
Shredded papaya
Ingredients ready
Prepare seasonings
Pound together
Street Vendor Videos
Reviews
Comments (10)
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MSG H. G. Robby Robinson
PermalinkThe addition of "Crab" as mentioned in the video may be confusing to some (no pun intended) or misleading. "Poo Ken" is the traditional method as far as Bangkok is concerned as well as up country, but I imagine it is difficult to obtain in the USA unless you live in an area with a large Thai Expat community. Now since I live along the Gulf Coast of Florida, I have no problems obtaining crab. I do not now thew method of turning crab into Poo Kem. Is there a recipe available? Thanks. MSG Robby "Taksin" Robinson Pensacola, FL Part time resident. Pratet Thai
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Jaynaak
PermalinkI really love this recipe, give me some update on new recipe and thank you so much.
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Matt Parkinson
PermalinkI think I've started a Som Tam (Som Tum) revolution in Lincolnshire...everyone seems to love it and its one of the best recipes I brought back from my travels in Thailand. I love to put peanuts in at an early stage and crush them with the chilli and garlic. I found papaya at a local chinese supermarket but they are about
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Anonymous
PermalinkWe also enjoyed Som Tam on our recent four month stay in Thailand plus we also found one eatery who did a very similar dish but with Cucumber, again very delicious. We are lucky and can buy Thai ingredients in neatrby Canterbury, Kent.
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Pleco
PermalinkLovely and very easy. Just back from Thailand love this website. Found all my favourite recipes and all are just as I ate last week lol thank you thaitable
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Donna Lombardo
PermalinkThis is so delicious. The picture makes me want more. I share these to my blog.
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