reen papaya salad is loved throughout SE Asia in various forms, and we are pleased to present this detailed recipe so you can bring it to your own kitchen. Somtum is a classic Thai dish, commonly associated with the NE (Isaan) area but served all over Thailand, for example here at a sidewalk shop found on our walking tour of good eats in Saochingcha area.
Also see our new feature How To Make Different Versions of Som Tum.
Somtum is typically prepared three different ways. It can be "Somtum Thai" which has peanuts mixed in, "Somtum Bu" which has small pickled crabs pounded in, or "Somtum Lao sai pla ra" which includes the juice of pickled mudfish.
We also offer a very simple pre-made som tum sauce that you can add to the papaya, for quick preparation. Also see our newest Som Tum product: Som Tum Powder.
See our new feature story on a modern take on Som Tum: Jungle Salad.