Som Tam (Papaya Salad)
ส้มตำ
About this dish
Som Tam is the fiery green papaya salad that anchors the food of Thailand's northeastern Isan region. Shredded unripe papaya is pounded in a clay mortar with garlic, bird's-eye chili, lime, fish sauce, palm sugar, tomatoes, and long beans, producing a salad that is at once sour, sweet, salty, and searingly spicy. Variations range from the classic Thai version with peanuts to the funkier som tam pla ra made with fermented fish. It pairs perfectly with sticky rice and grilled chicken, and you can ask for fewer chilies if you are new to it.
At a glance
- Cuisine
- Thai
- Region
- Esan
- Spice level
- Spicy
- Good to know
- Healthy