Som Tam Thai is one of the most famous Thai salads, delighting with its perfect balance of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy. This refreshing papaya salad is quick to prepare and brings authentic street food vibes directly to your kitchen.
Ingredients (for 1–2 servings)
- 2 cups green papaya (finely shredded)
- 5–6 cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1–2 long beans (cut into pieces)
- 2–3 red chilies (to taste)
- 2–3 cloves garlic
- 1–2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tbsp palm sugar
- 1 tbsp dried shrimp
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
Preparation
- Roughly crush garlic and chili in a mortar
- Add beans and tomatoes, gently bruise
- Add fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar and mix
- Add shredded papaya and mix everything well
- Fold in shrimp and peanuts
- Taste and season as desired
🍽️ Tips for the perfect taste
- Use fresh lime juice for maximum freshness
- The papaya should be firm and not too soft
- Only pound lightly – this preserves the texture
- Serve with fresh vegetables like cabbage or beans
🌶️ Adjust spice level
- Mild: 1 chili
- Medium: 2–3 chilies
- Hot: 4+ chilies