Som Tum is a classic salad originating from the Thai Laos region of South East Asia. This unique salad is made using crunchy green papaya tossed through a robust dressing and is often served with BBQ meats and a side of white sticky rice. Found all over Thailand on street corners and in food markets, Som Tum is one of the most loved dishes for Thai people.
With the ever growing appreciation and popularity for Thai cuisine, finding exotic ingredients such as green papaya is no longer a difficult task. This is why I am so excited to share this Som Tum Recipe. It’s good to know that there are a handful of Som Tum variations, while most are made using green papaya you will find the other varieties features ingredient such as pamelo, green mango as well as other fruits.
Don’t stress if you are unable to track down green papayas as there are some easy substitutions that will also bring their own refreshing flavour to the dish. Look for crisp and crunchy granny smith apples, chokos / chayotes and green mangos for your Som Tum creations. Although some of these are not traditionally used in Thailand, it’s best to make use of the fresh produce that are widely available in Australia rather than miss out on making the dish entirely. My tip for making the perfect Som Tum salad is to always taste and tweak the flavours to suit your liking every time. If the chef is happy, no doubt the dinners will be too!