Som Tum
Som Tum is a bold and refreshing Thai green papaya salad that bursts with contrasting flavors of sour lime, salty fish sauce, sweet palm sugar, and fiery chilies. It is traditionally pounded in a mortar and pestle, releasing the juices and creating a deeply integrated dressing.
A vibrant Thai green papaya salad with a punchy dressing of lime, fish sauce, and chilies.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
salad
dressing
topping
Instructions
Prepare the Papaya
Peel the green papaya and use a julienne peeler or the back of a knife to create thin, long shreds. Place them in a large bowl and set aside.
Make the Dressing
In a mortar and pestle, pound 2 Thai bird chilies until broken down. Add fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Pound and Combine
Add the papaya shreds and tomatoes to the mortar in batches and lightly pound to bruise the ingredients and help them absorb the dressing. If you do not have a large mortar, toss everything vigorously in a bowl.
Plate and Serve
Transfer to a serving plate and top with roasted peanuts. Serve immediately alongside sticky rice and grilled meats for a traditional Thai experience.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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