Zesty, Spicy, and Refreshing: Authentic Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum)

Recipe by Peter G

Published September 23, 2025

Dive into the vibrant world of Thai cuisine with this exhilarating Green Papaya Salad, known as Som Tum! This classic dish is a delightful explosion of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, all brought together by the satisfying crunch of unripe papaya. It's a refreshing, healthy, and incredibly addictive salad that's perfect as a side or a light meal.

Instructions

Prepare the papaya: Peel, seed, and shred or julienne the green papaya. For extra crispiness, soak the shredded papaya in ice water for 10-15 minutes, then drain very well and pat dry.

In a large mortar and pestle, add the garlic and fresh bird's eye chilies. Pound until slightly bruised and fragrant. Adjust chili quantity based on desired spice level.

If using, add the rehydrated dried shrimp and pound briefly to break them up and release their flavor.

Add the long green beans to the mortar and gently bruise them with the pestle. This helps them absorb the dressing.

Add the palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice to the mortar. Pound and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. If using tamarind paste, add it now.

Add the halved cherry tomatoes and gently bruise them with the pestle. This releases their juices into the dressing.

Add the shredded papaya and roasted peanuts to the mortar. Using a spoon and the pestle, gently toss and 'bruise' the papaya while pounding lightly, ensuring all ingredients are well mixed and thoroughly coated with the vibrant dressing. Be careful not to over-pound; you want the papaya to retain its crunchy texture.

Taste the salad and adjust seasonings as needed: add more fish sauce for saltiness, lime juice for sourness, palm sugar for sweetness, or chilies for more heat.

Transfer the Green Papaya Salad to a serving plate. Garnish with fresh cilantro or mint leaves and a sprinkle of extra roasted peanuts. Serve immediately.

Final Notes

This Som Tum is best enjoyed fresh, allowing the distinct flavors and textures to shine. Serve it alongside sticky rice, grilled chicken, or any of your favorite Thai dishes for a truly authentic experience. It's a vibrant, healthy, and utterly delicious way to liven up your meal!

About the Author

Peter G

Cooking is my passion. I love blogging and sharing my creative recipes with the world. With my busy lifestyle, it can be challenging to create new recipes, write posts, and ensure everything is formatted and presented well. I started MealMagX for this very reason—for those who share my passion for creative cooking but may not have the time to maintain a blog.

Zesty, Spicy, and Refreshing: Authentic Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum)

Ingredients

Instructions

Final Notes

Categories

About the Author

Peter G