Tam Mak Hoong (Lao Green Papaya Salad)
Local name: ຕຳໝາກຫຸ່ງ
In short: Shredded green papaya pounded with garlic, chilies, long beans, tomato, lime and fish sauce into a salty, sour and fiery salad. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 110 kcal
Tam mak hoong is made by pounding shredded green papaya in a big clay mortar with garlic, chilies, long beans and tomatoes. The Lao style is salty, sour and pungent, usually seasoned with fish sauce and padaek, a fermented fish sauce, and it is less sweet than versions made elsewhere. It is eaten all day with sticky rice, grilled chicken and raw vegetables, and heat levels are set by the cook or the customer.
Instructions
- Soak the shredded papaya in iced water for 5 minutes to make it crisp, then drain well.
- In a large mortar, pound the garlic and chilies to a coarse paste. Add the palm sugar and pound until it dissolves.
- Add the long beans and bruise them with 4 or 5 pounds. Add the tomato wedges and press them lightly so they release their juice.
- Add the papaya and pound gently while stirring with a spoon for 15 to 20 seconds, just enough to bruise it without mashing it.
- Add the fish sauce, padaek if using, and lime juice and mix well. Taste: it should be sour, salty and hot, with a little sweetness.
- Stir in the peanuts and serve right away with sticky rice, raw cabbage and cucumber.
Tips
- No green papaya? Use shredded kohlrabi, green mango, carrot, cucumber or firm cabbage. The crunch is what matters.
- No mortar? Toss everything in a large bowl and bruise it with the end of a rolling pin, or squeeze it firmly with your hands.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between Lao and Thai papaya salad?
The Lao version is typically saltier and more pungent, with fermented fish sauce (padaek), and it uses less sugar. Versions elsewhere are often sweeter and nuttier.
What is padaek?
Padaek is a thick, cloudy fermented fish sauce used in Lao cooking. It is sold in jars at Southeast Asian grocery stores. You can use extra fish sauce if you cannot find it.
How do I make tam mak hoong less spicy?
Use 1 or 2 chilies and remove the seeds. You can always add more at the end by pounding in an extra chili.
How long does it take to make Tam Mak Hoong (Lao Green Papaya Salad)?
About 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tam Mak Hoong (Lao Green Papaya Salad)?
About 110 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 110 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
