Ingredients
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1
Potatoe
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2
Carrots
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A few
Cherry tomatoes
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3
Garlic cloves
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1 or 2 handle(s)
Roasted peanuts
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2 à 4
Thai red chili peppers or bird's eye chili peppers
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1
Lime
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2 tablespoons
Fish sauce (nuoc nam)
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1 tablespoon
Palm Sugar
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A few leaves
Coriander
Directions
Som Tam: fresh, spicy Thai green papaya salad
Som Tam is the Thai green papaya salad that tastes like pure freshness. It’s crunchy, zesty, and lightly fiery, balancing lime juice, palm sugar, chili, fish sauce (nuoc-mâm), and toasted peanuts. In minutes, you get a bright, light, ultra-aromatic Thai salad that wakes up any table.
Where Som Tam comes from
Born in Thailand’s northeast (Isaan), this street-food classic is made with a mortar and pestle to bruise, not mash, the ingredients. That quick pounding releases aroma and keeps the papaya crisp—key to the salad’s snap.
What you’ll need
Shredded green papaya, cherry tomatoes, trimmed green beans, garlic, fresh chilies, lime, palm sugar, fish sauce, and peanuts. The secret is balance: sour, salty, sweet, and spicy should meet in the middle. Taste, adjust, and keep it lively.
Pro tips for perfect crunch
Heat: start mild, then add more chili to suit your guests.
Vegetarian: swap fish sauce for light soy plus a splash of dark soy.
Peanuts: toast them dry for extra aroma and texture.
Papaya: choose it firm; soft fruit loses the essential crunch.
Why you’ll love it
Som Tam shines as a summer starter, yet pairs all year with grilled meats and jasmine rice. It’s authentic, fast, and easy to personalize. Make a classic version first, then tune the acidity or chili to taste—your salade de papaye will soon become a house favorite.
Steps
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1
Done
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Preparation of Green PapayaStart by peeling the papaya, then cut it in half lengthwise. Next, remove the seeds with a spoon, rinse with clean water, then dry your papaya thoroughly. |
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2
Done
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Peel and grate the carrots, then grate the green papaya. |
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3
Done
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Preparation of Som Tam sauceIn a mortar, crush the Thai chilies (or bird's eye chilies) with the peeled garlic cloves until you obtain a paste. Then add the papaya and grated carrots. |
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4
Done
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Finishing your Thai green papaya saladPlace your Som Tam salad in a salad bowl. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, crush the peanuts in a mortar, and add them to the salad. Mix well. |
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5
Done
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Your homemade papaya salad is ready!You can add a few cilantro leaves on top and serve your Som Tam with sticky rice. |
