Som Tam is a quintessential Isan (Northeastern Thai) dish known for its bold, fiery flavors and complex texture. This iconic salad combines fresh green papaya with a perfect balance of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty elements.
Ingredients
- 1 large green (unripe) papaya, shredded
- 2-3 Thai bird’s eye chilies
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons dried shrimp
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
- 2 long beans or green beans, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon palm sugar
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Pound chilies and garlic in a large mortar and pestle until roughly crushed
- Add dried shrimp and pound lightly to release flavors
- Add long beans and lightly crush
- Add shredded green papaya and tomatoes
- Mix in fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar
- Pound and mix ingredients to combine, bruising the papaya slightly
- Garnish with roasted peanuts
- Serve immediately with sticky rice
Tips
Use a sharp knife or special papaya grater to create thin, consistent papaya strands. Adjust chili quantity to control spice level. Serve immediately to maintain crispness of ingredients.
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