Som Tam (Thai Green Papaya Salad)
Local name: ส้มตำ
In short: Shredded green papaya pounded with garlic, chilies, lime, palm sugar and fish sauce, then tossed with tomatoes, long beans and peanuts. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 200 kcal
Som tam is the pounded salad that people from every region of Thailand eat, though it is most closely linked with the northeast. Shredded green papaya is bruised in a mortar with garlic, chilies, lime juice, palm sugar and fish sauce, so it stays crisp while soaking up the dressing. Peanuts, dried shrimp, tomatoes and long beans add crunch and salt. It is usually ordered by how many chilies you want.
Instructions
- Soak the shredded papaya in cold water for 5 minutes to crisp it, then drain well and pat dry.
- Pound the garlic and chilies in a large mortar to a coarse paste.
- Add the palm sugar, dried shrimp and long beans and pound lightly to bruise the beans. Stir in the fish sauce and lime juice until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the tomatoes and press them gently with the pestle to release some juice, without crushing them.
- Add the papaya and pound gently while turning the mixture with a spoon, for 15 seconds, until the papaya softens slightly and is coated in dressing. Add the peanuts and mix once.
- Taste: it should be sour, salty, sweet and hot. Serve immediately with sticky rice and grilled chicken or pork.
Tips
- No green papaya? Use shredded green mango, kohlrabi, firm cucumber or a mix of carrot and cabbage. Cut them into thin matchsticks.
- Fresh crab, fermented fish sauce and salted eggs are used in some Isan versions. Add a teaspoon of fermented fish sauce for a funkier flavor.
Questions and answers
Is som tam vegetarian?
Not as served in Thailand, since it has fish sauce and dried shrimp. Leave out the shrimp and use soy sauce with a little extra lime to make a vegetarian version.
How spicy is som tam?
In Thailand it is often very hot. Use 1 chili for a mild salad, and ask for it mai phet (not spicy) when ordering.
Can I make som tam ahead?
It is best eaten at once, because the papaya releases water and goes soft. Prepare the dressing and shredded papaya separately and combine just before serving.
How long does it take to make Som Tam (Thai Green Papaya Salad)?
About 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Som Tam (Thai Green Papaya Salad)?
About 200 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 24 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 200 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 1500 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
