Nhoam Svay (Cambodian Green Mango Salad)
Local name: ញាំស្វាយ
In short: Shredded unripe mango with carrot, shallot, mint, toasted dried shrimp and roasted peanuts in a sharp lime, fish sauce and palm sugar dressing. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 215 kcal
Nhoam svay is a bright, crunchy salad of shredded green mango, one of the most refreshing dishes in Khmer cooking. The sourness of the unripe fruit is balanced by palm sugar, salty fish sauce and lime, with herbs, toasted dried shrimp and roasted peanuts adding savory crunch. It is eaten as a side with rice and grilled meat, or as a snack on its own.
Instructions
- Rinse the dried shrimp, then toast them in a dry pan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until crisp and fragrant. Cool, then chop roughly or pound lightly.
- Whisk the lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, garlic and chilies in a large bowl until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the mango, carrot and shallots and toss to coat. Let the salad stand for 5 minutes so the mango softens slightly.
- Toss in the herbs, dried shrimp and half of the peanuts.
- Taste and adjust: it should be sour, salty, sweet and spicy. Top with the remaining peanuts and serve right away.
Tips
- Use truly unripe, hard mangoes, which taste sour and crisp like an apple. Slightly ripe mango is too soft and sweet for this salad. Green apples or firm green papaya can replace them.
- Add grilled chicken, boiled shrimp or sliced beef to turn the salad into a light meal. Dress it only just before serving to keep it crisp.
Questions and answers
Where can I find green mangoes?
Asian and Latin grocery stores sell them year-round. Choose firm, dark green fruit with no soft spots. They should feel heavy and smell faintly of mango.
Can I make nhoam svay ahead of time?
Cut the mango and mix the dressing up to 6 hours ahead, chilled separately. Toss everything together just before serving, since the mango releases water quickly.
Is this salad very spicy?
Only if you want it to be. Use 1 chili for mild heat or skip it. The sour and salty flavors are the main focus.
How long does it take to make Nhoam Svay (Cambodian Green Mango Salad)?
About 30 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Nhoam Svay (Cambodian Green Mango Salad)?
About 215 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 215 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
