Papaya Salad Som Tam Thai – Our authentic original recipe
When walking through one of Thailand's bustling streets, you can hear the rhythmic thudding of wooden pestles on clay mortars as vendors prepare various versions of som tam—crushed salads combined with a sour dressing.
The best-known version of this category is undoubtedly som tam Thai, a salad made with shredded green papaya in central Thailand, which has become synonymous with the term "som tam."
We'll show you how to make authentic papaya salad right here in Germany without buying dozens of ingredients from Asian markets. With our ready-to-use Som Tam Sauce, you'll have everything you need. Fresh, free from preservatives, and authentically Thai. Made right here in Bavaria.
Another requirement for tam-style salads is a mortar and pestle, especially a wooden or clay mortar with a wooden pestle.
The goal of pounding salad ingredients is to lightly crush and break them down so they release their juices without losing their crisp texture.
A heavy granite mortar and pestle is excellent for breaking down fibrous aromatics and dried spices into a fine paste, but not for pounding, which requires a lighter touch. The larger capacity of a large clay or wooden mortar is ideal for mixing salad, and although they are larger, they are much easier to handle.
Our photos show a serving for 2–3 people. Depending on your taste, you can add more or less of any ingredient. The som tam recipe works not only for papaya salad: adventurous cooks can also replace the green papaya with kohlrabi or even mangoes or apples.
Ingredients for 2–3 servings of Som Tam Thai (Papaya Salad)
With a little practice, som tam can be prepared in 20 minutes, with cutting the ingredients taking the longest. Our delicious Papaya Salad Sauce will save you a lot of work.
Simply follow our cooking instructions.
| Green papaya (alternatively kohlrabi) | 1 piece (2 for kohlrabi) |
| Carrots | 1–2 |
| Snake beans (alternatively regular beans*) | 150 g |
| Cherry tomatoes (halved) | 4 |
| Som Tam Sauce | 2–3 tbsp |
| Fresh red Thai chilies | 2–3 (depending on heat) |
| Garlic cloves | 2–3 |
| Lime (quartered) | 1 |
| Roasted peanuts | 4 tbsp |
| Dried shrimp (optional) | 10–20 g |
*Snake beans can be eaten raw, but our green beans cannot. If you use regular beans instead of snake beans, be sure to boil them first!
How to Make Thai Papaya Salad
1. Peel the green papaya and carrots, or the kohlrabi. Remove the papaya seeds. Cut the papaya into fine strips. A julienne peeler or grater works best for this.
2. Add the peeled garlic cloves and Thai chilies to a mortar. Pound them coarsely until they are lightly broken down.
3. Add the green beans and dried shrimp to the mortar and pound lightly so that the beans break slightly and the shrimp are broken down.
4. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and roasted peanuts to the mortar. Pound carefully until the tomatoes are lightly crushed and release their juices.
5. Now add our Papaya Salad Sauce and the lime pieces, then mix everything together in the mortar once more.
6. Finally, add the papaya (or kohlrabi) and carrot strips. Mix carefully with the other ingredients until everything is well combined.
7. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning to your liking. If needed, add a little more of our sauce or just fish sauce, sugar, or lime juice.
8. Arrange the papaya salad on a plate and garnish with extra peanuts or fresh herbs, if desired. Serve the salad immediately so that it remains fresh and crisp.
Did You Know …?
Origins: Papaya salad originally comes from Laos and northeastern Thailand (the Isaan region). However, it quickly spread throughout Thailand and beyond.
Versatility: Som tam can be prepared in various ways, depending on the region and personal preferences. There are versions with fermented fish (pla ra), dried shrimp, or even fruit such as mango or apple.
Health Benefits: Green papaya is rich in enzymes such as papain, which aids digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. The salad is also low in calories and rich in vitamins and fiber.
Explosion of Flavor: Som tam is known for its perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. This combination makes it one of Thailand's most popular dishes.
Traditional Preparation: The salad is traditionally prepared in a mortar, which helps release and blend the flavors of the ingredients. This gives the salad its characteristic texture and intensity.
Popularity: Som tam is so popular that it is often called Thailand's "national dish." It is served at street markets, restaurants, and even festive occasions.
Variations Around the World: Due to its popularity, there are now many international variations of som tam that incorporate local ingredients and flavors. For example, som tam with carrots or zucchini can be found in Western countries.
I hope you enjoy making it.
Yours, Chonticha
