Authentic Lao Tam Som (Green Papaya Salad): A Step-by-Step Recipe Guide

Ingredients

2 cups shredded green papaya
2 long green chilies
4 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon shrimp paste
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons palm sugar
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup long beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons dried shrimps
1/2 cup roasted peanuts

Steps and instructions

Begin by peeling the green papaya and shredding it into thin strips. Set aside.
In a mortar, add the garlic and chilies. Pound them together using a pestle until they form a coarse paste.
Add the shrimp paste, fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar to the mortar. Continue to pound the mixture until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes and long beans to the mortar. Lightly pound them just enough to release their juices and flavors.
Add the shredded green papaya, dried shrimps, and half of the roasted peanuts to the mortar. Mix and pound all the ingredients together until they are fully combined and the flavors have blended together.
Transfer the salad to a serving dish and garnish with the remaining roasted peanuts.
Best served immediately and enjoyed as a refreshing side dish or appetizer.

Tools for making

Mortar and Pestle - Used to pound and mix the ingredients, releasing their flavors.
Peeler - To peel the green papaya before shredding it.
Knife - For cutting the long beans and halving the cherry tomatoes.
Measuring Spoons - To accurately measure the shrimp paste, fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar.
Serving Dish - To present and serve the tam som salad.

Recipe variations

Replace green papaya with shredded carrot or cucumber for a different flavor and texture.
Substitute long green chilies with bird's eye chilies for a spicier kick.
Experiment with different types of dried seafood, such as dried squid or dried scallops, instead of dried shrimps.
Add fresh herbs like cilantro or mint leaves to enhance the aroma and freshness of the salad.
Include other vegetables like bell peppers or thinly sliced cabbage for added crunch and color.
For a vegetarian option, omit the shrimp paste and dried shrimps. You can substitute with soy sauce or vegetarian fish sauce.
Add grilled or boiled shrimp, chicken, or beef to make it a more substantial main dish.
For a vegan version, replace fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari and use a vegan-friendly sweetener instead of palm sugar.
Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for an extra nutty flavor.
Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer chilies according to your preference.

Recipe overview

Tam som, also known as Green Papaya Salad, is a deliciously refreshing and spicy dish originating from Laos and Northeastern Thailand. It beautifully combines the five main tastes of the regional cuisine: sour lime, hot chili, salty fish sauce, and sweet palm sugar, perfectly balanced with the crunch of green papaya and roasted peanuts. In this recipe, you'll learn how to make this vibrant salad from scratch, pounding the ingredients in a traditional mortar and pestle to release and merge the flavors. Tam som is best served fresh and can be enjoyed as a light appetizer or a side dish that's sure to awaken your taste buds. The process is simple and satisfying, and the outcome is a classic Southeast Asian dish that is sure to impress. Enjoy the journey of making this exotic salad at home!

Common questions

Can I use unripe mango instead of green papaya? Yes, you can substitute shredded unripe mango for green papaya in this recipe. However, the taste and texture will be slightly different.
Can I omit the shrimp paste for a vegetarian version? Yes, you can omit the shrimp paste to make a vegetarian version of this salad. You may need to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
Can I use a food processor instead of a mortar and pestle? Yes, you can use a food processor to make this recipe. Simply pulse the ingredients until they reach the desired consistency. However, using a mortar and pestle will give the salad a traditional texture and flavor.
Can I make this salad ahead of time? It is best to make and serve this salad immediately to enjoy its freshness and crunch. If you need to prepare in advance, you can shred the papaya and keep the dressing separate until ready to serve. Combine them just before serving.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the salad? Yes, you can adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer chilies according to your preference. You can also remove the seeds and membranes from the chilies for a milder flavor.

Serving dishes and utensils

Mortar and Pestle - Used for pounding and mixing the ingredients together to create the flavorful dressing.
Peeler - Essential for peeling the green papaya before shredding it.
Knife - Needed for chopping the long beans into 1-inch pieces.
Serving Dish - Used to present and serve the tam som salad.

Origin stories

Tam som, also known as green papaya salad, hails from the northeastern region of Thailand, known as Isaan. It's a dish that truly reflects the essence of Thai cuisine, with its harmonious blend of hot, sour, sweet, and salty flavors. Interestingly, despite its firm roots in Thai cuisine, the dish owes its origins to the neighboring country of Laos. It was transported across the border by the Lao people and soon spread throughout the entire country, gaining immense popularity. Now you can find it not only in households and street food stalls across Thailand, but in Thai restaurants worldwide. Its popularity is so vast that in 2011, CNN named it as one of the world's 50 most delicious foods.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.