13 June 2025
Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tum)
Brendan Pang
A vibrant Thai papaya salad that’s crunchy, salty, sweet, sour, and spicy—all the best flavors in one bite. Inspired by the street food of Bangkok.
A Fresh, Fiery, and Addictive Thai Classic 🇹🇭🔥
Thai Papaya Salad, or Som Tum, is one of those dishes that wakes up every sense. Crunchy green papaya, zingy lime, funky fish sauce, sweet palm sugar, and fiery Thai chillies come together in the most irresistible balance of flavors. It’s no wonder this street-food staple is loved across Thailand — one bite and you’re hooked! 🥗✨
This recipe stays true to the vibrant, punchy flavours you’d find in Bangkok night markets. Expect crunch, heat, aroma, and a refreshing finish that keeps you coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Som Tum 😍
- Perfect harmony of sweet–sour–salty–spicy
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Light, refreshing, and naturally low calorie
- Requires no cooking — just pounding, mixing, and eating!
- Extra crunchy thanks to the ice-water papaya soak ❄️
Key Ingredients to Make It Authentic 🌶️🥜
What makes Som Tum iconic is its mix of textures and seasonings:
- Green papaya for that crisp, juicy bite
- Long beans for extra freshness
- Cherry tomatoes that burst and release sweetness
- Dried shrimp adding deep umami
- Roasted peanuts to finish with crunch
- A bold dressing of lime, tamarind, fish sauce, and coconut sugar
Each ingredient plays a role in creating the signature Som Tum profile.
How It Comes Together 🥢
Start by prepping the papaya — a quick soak in ice water boosts the crunch beautifully. The dressing is mixed separately to dissolve the sugar and blend the flavours, then everything is tossed together with long beans and tomatoes. A gentle bruise of the beans brings out more aroma and helps them absorb the dressing better.
Finished with a handful of crushed peanuts and a squeeze of lime, this salad is bright, exciting, and utterly addictive.
Tips for the Best Som Tum 💡
- Ice water = extra crunch!
- Adjust chilli levels depending on your heat tolerance 🌶️
- Tamarind adds depth — don’t skip it
- Bruising the long beans makes a big difference
- Serve immediately for the best texture
A Street-Food Favourite, Anytime
Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled meats, enjoying it as a light lunch, or prepping it for a summer feast, this Som Tum will deliver that vibrant Thai street-food magic every single time. 🇹🇭✨
Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tum)
Brendan PangA vibrant Thai papaya salad that’s crunchy, salty, sweet, sour, and spicy—all the best flavors in one bite. Inspired by the street food of Bangkok.
Chef's Tips
Soak the papaya in ice water to enhance its crunch.
Lightly bruise the long beans to release more flavor.
Adjust chilli quantity for preferred spice level.
Tools Used
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Ingredients
USMetric
Salad
Dressing
Instructions
Prepare the Papaya
- 1
Peel, deseed, and julienne the green papaya.
- 2
Soak julienned papaya in ice water for 10–15 minutes to enhance crunch, then drain well.
Make the Dressing
- 1
Dissolve coconut sugar in hot water.
- 2
Stir in lime juice, tamarind paste, fish sauce, garlic, and chillies until well combined.
Assemble the Salad
- 1
Lightly bruise long beans using a rolling pin or similar object.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, add long beans and halved cherry tomatoes, gently crushing the tomatoes.
- 3
Add drained papaya, dried shrimp, half the chopped peanuts, and the dressing.
- 4
Toss thoroughly until well coated.
- 5
Transfer to a serving plate, top with remaining peanuts, and serve with a lime wedge.
Comments & Reviews
Lu Tamayo
5/14/2024
Fave fave dish. Could have every day
FoodTaliban
5/13/2024
Nice, only one ingredients is missing, pla ra🥰
Nellie
5/13/2024
My most favourite food if I was to die tomorrow before I die this would be my last meal
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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories 180
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g12%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 10mg3%
Sodium 500mg22%
Total Carbohydrates 20g7%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Sugars 8g
Protein 8g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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