Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
43 min · 38 min active · makes 4 pieces · ~1.75 l · Medium · Thai
Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
A sharp, fiery Thai salad built on julienned green papaya — crunchy, cool, and almost neutral in flavour on its own, but transformed by a pounded dressing of garlic, bird's eye chilli, dried shrimp, palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime. Long beans add bite, cherry tomatoes a little acidity, and roasted peanuts a toasted finish. Light enough for a starter, vivid enough to anchor a meal.
TOTAL TIME
43 min
ACTIVE TIME
38 min
QUANTITY
4 pieces · ~1.75 l
DIFFICULTY
Medium
CUISINE
Thai
Who’s eating
A
Ingredients0/11
Tools0/8
Ingredients0/11 gathered · 2 servings
3clove
400g
1l
80g
100g
3piece
2tbsp
1.5tbsp + to taste
2tbsp + to taste
3tbsp + to taste
3tbsp
| # | Product | Quantity | Notes | State | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3clove | — | — | ||
| 2 | 400g | — | — | ||
| 3 | 1l | — | — | ||
| 4 | 80g | — | — | ||
| 5 | 100g | — | — | ||
| 6 | 3piece | — | — | ||
| 7 | 2tbsp | — | — | ||
| 8 | 1.5tbsp + to taste | — | — | ||
| 9 | 2tbsp + to taste | — | — | ||
| 10 | 3tbsp + to taste | — | — | ||
| 11 | 3tbsp | — | — |
Tools9 items
Serveware1 item
Hygiene
Wash your hands after the raw shrimp.
Procedure33 steps
1 of 33
Peel a garlic clove the 3 garlic cloves
Garlic clove · 3 clove
⏱ 30s
ResultPeeled garlic clovesused in step 152 of 33
Rinse the green papaya
under cold running water
Green papaya · 400 g
⏱ 30s
ResultRinsed green papaya4 of 33
Julienne the peeled green papaya
fine shreds
⏱ 3 min
ResultJulienned green papaya5 of 33
Add the cold water and the julienned green papaya to the bowl
Cold water · 1 lJulienned green papaya · step 4
⏱ 20s
ResultPapaya shreds in water6 of 33
Soak the papaya shreds in water
papaya crisps in cold water
⏱ 5 min
ResultCrisped papaya shreds7 of 33
Drain the crisped papaya shreds
⏱ 30s
ResultDrained papaya shreds8 of 33
Rinse the long beans
under cold running water
Long beans · 80 g
⏱ 30s
ResultRinsed long beans11 of 33
Rinse the cherry tomatoes
under cold running water
Cherry tomatoes · 100 g
⏱ 30s
ResultRinsed cherry tomatoes13 of 33
Rinse the 3 fresh red bird's eye chillies
under cold running water
Fresh red bird's eye chillies · 3 piece
⏱ 30s
ResultRinsed fresh red bird's eye chillies14 of 33
Trim the rinsed fresh red bird's eye chillies
stems removed
⏱ 30s
ResultTrimmed bird's eye chillies15 of 33
Crush the peeled garlic cloves and trimmed bird's eye chillies
coarse paste
⏱ 1 min
ResultGarlic and chilli paste16 of 33
Add the dried shrimp and the garlic and chilli paste to the mortar pestle
Dried shrimp · 2 tbspGarlic and chilli paste · step 15
⏱ 30s
ResultShrimp and garlic-chilli mixture17 of 33
Pound the shrimp and garlic-chilli mixture
broken up but textured
⏱ 1 min
ResultBroken shrimp and pasteused in step 1918 of 33
Wash your hands with soap — you've been handling raw shrimp
⏱ 30s
19 of 33
Add the palm sugar, fish sauce and lime juice and the broken shrimp and paste to the mortar pestle
⏱ 1 min
ResultPaste with palm sugar20 of 33
Stir the dressing
Look for
until palm sugar fully dissolved
⏱ 1 min
ResultDressing21 of 33
Add the long beans cut into 4 cm pieces and dressing to the mortar pestle
⏱ 20s
ResultBeans in dressing22 of 33
Bruise the beans in dressing
pressed with pestle to absorb dressing
⏱ 1 min
ResultBruised beans in dressing23 of 33
Add the bruised beans in dressing to the mortar pestle
⏱ 20s
ResultPapaya and beans in dressing24 of 33
Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the mortar pestle
⏱ 20s
ResultPapaya and beans with tomatoes25 of 33
Toss the papaya and beans with tomatoes
papaya lightly bruised; well combined
⏱ 1 min
ResultTossed papaya salad26 of 33
Taste the tossed papaya salad
check seasoning
⏱ 30s
ResultTossed papaya salad27 of 33
Add the fish sauce to the mortar pestle
if needed for seasoning adjustment
Fish sauce · to taste
⏱ 20s
ResultPapaya salad with fish sauce28 of 33
Add the lime juice to the mortar pestle
if needed for seasoning adjustment
Lime juice · to taste
⏱ 20s
ResultPapaya salad with lime dressing29 of 33
Add the palm sugar to the mortar pestle
if needed for seasoning adjustment
Palm sugar · to taste
⏱ 20s
ResultBalanced papaya salad30 of 33
Transfer the balanced papaya salad from the large bowl onto the serving plate
⏱ 30s
ResultBalanced papaya salad31 of 33
Scatter the roasted peanuts over the balanced papaya salad
serve immediately
Roasted peanuts · 3 tbsp
⏱ 30s
ResultSom Tam (Green Papaya Salad)Total Time43 min
| # | Product | Tool | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 clove | Peel a garlic clove the 3 garlic cloves⏱ 30sResultPeeled garlic clovesused in step 15 | |
| 2 | 400 g | — | Rinse the green papaya → under cold running water⏱ 30sResultRinsed green papaya |
| 3 | Rinsed green papayastep 2 | Peel the rinsed green papaya⏱ 1 minResultPeeled green papaya | |
| 4 | Peeled green papayastep 3 | Julienne the peeled green papaya → fine shreds⏱ 3 minResultJulienned green papaya | |
| 5 | 1 l | Add the cold water and the julienned green papaya to the bowl⏱ 20sResultPapaya shreds in water | |
| Julienned green papayastep 4 | |||
| 6 | — | Soak the papaya shreds in water → papaya crisps in cold water⏱ 5 minResultCrisped papaya shreds | |
| 7 | — | Drain the crisped papaya shreds⏱ 30sResultDrained papaya shreds | |
| 8 | 80 g | — | Rinse the long beans → under cold running water⏱ 30sResultRinsed long beans |
| 9 | Rinsed long beansstep 8 | Trim the rinsed long beans⏱ 1 minResultTrimmed long beans | |
| 10 | Trimmed long beansstep 9 | Chop the trimmed long beans⏱ 1 minResultLong beans cut into 4 cm piecesused in step 23 | |
| 11 | 100 g | — | Rinse the cherry tomatoes → under cold running water⏱ 30sResultRinsed cherry tomatoes |
| 12 | Rinsed cherry tomatoesstep 11 | Halve the rinsed cherry tomatoes⏱ 1 minResultHalved cherry tomatoesused in step 26 | |
| 13 | 3 piece | — | Rinse the 3 fresh red bird's eye chillies → under cold running water⏱ 30sResultRinsed fresh red bird's eye chillies |
| 14 | Rinsed fresh red bird's eye chilliesstep 13 | Trim the rinsed fresh red bird's eye chillies → stems removed⏱ 30sResultTrimmed bird's eye chillies | |
| 15 | Peeled garlic clovesstep 1 | Crush the peeled garlic cloves and trimmed bird's eye chillies → coarse paste⏱ 1 minResultGarlic and chilli paste | |
| Trimmed bird's eye chilliesstep 14 | |||
| 16 | 2 tbsp | Add the dried shrimp and the garlic and chilli paste to the mortar pestle⏱ 30sResultShrimp and garlic-chilli mixture | |
| Garlic and chilli pastestep 15 | |||
| 17 | Shrimp and garlic-chilli mixturestep 16 | Pound the shrimp and garlic-chilli mixture → broken up but textured⏱ 1 minResultBroken shrimp and pasteused in step 19 | |
| 18 | — | — | Wash your hands with soap — you've been handling raw shrimp⏱ 30s |
| 19 | 1.5 tbsp | Add the palm sugar, fish sauce and lime juice and the broken shrimp and paste to the mortar pestle⏱ 1 minResultPaste with palm sugar | |
| 2 tbsp | |||
| 3 tbsp | |||
| Broken shrimp and pastestep 17 | |||
| 20 | Dressingstep 21 | Stir the dressingLook foruntil palm sugar fully dissolved⏱ 1 minResultDressing | |
| 21 | Long beans cut into 4 cm piecesstep 10 | Add the long beans cut into 4 cm pieces and dressing to the mortar pestle⏱ 20sResultBeans in dressing | |
| Dressingstep 22 | |||
| 22 | Beans in dressingstep 23 | Bruise the beans in dressing → pressed with pestle to absorb dressing⏱ 1 minResultBruised beans in dressing | |
| 23 | Bruised beans in dressingstep 24 | Add the bruised beans in dressing to the mortar pestle⏱ 20sResultPapaya and beans in dressing | |
| 24 | Halved cherry tomatoesstep 12 | Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the mortar pestle⏱ 20sResultPapaya and beans with tomatoes | |
| 25 | — | Toss the papaya and beans with tomatoes → papaya lightly bruised; well combined⏱ 1 minResultTossed papaya salad | |
| 26 | — | Taste the tossed papaya salad → check seasoning⏱ 30sResultTossed papaya salad | |
| 27 | to taste | Add the fish sauce to the mortar pestle → if needed for seasoning adjustment⏱ 20sResultPapaya salad with fish sauce | |
| 28 | to taste | Add the lime juice to the mortar pestle → if needed for seasoning adjustment⏱ 20sResultPapaya salad with lime dressing | |
| 29 | to taste | Add the palm sugar to the mortar pestle → if needed for seasoning adjustment⏱ 20sResultBalanced papaya salad | |
| 30 | Balanced papaya saladstep 31 | Transfer the balanced papaya salad from the large bowl onto the serving plate⏱ 30sResultBalanced papaya salad | |
| 31 | 3 tbsp | Scatter the roasted peanuts over the balanced papaya salad → serve immediately⏱ 30sResultSom Tam (Green Papaya Salad) | |
| Total Time | 43 min | ||
Nutritionper serving
Estimated · pre-cooking · 91% ingredients covered
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| 327kcal | |
| 19g | |
| 13g | |
| 2g | |
| 39g | |
| 18g | |
| 6g | |
| 1,735mg |
Ingredients0/11
Tools0/8
thai · Recipe
Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
A sharp, fiery Thai salad built on julienned green papaya — crunchy, cool, and almost neutral in flavour on its own, but transformed by a pounded dressing of garlic, bird's eye chilli, dried shrimp, palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime. Long beans add bite, cherry tomatoes a little acidity, and roasted peanuts a toasted finish. Light enough for a starter, vivid enough to anchor a meal.
HygieneWash your hands after the raw shrimp.
Serves2
Total43 min
LevelMedium
Ingredients
- Garlic clove3 clove
- Green papaya400 g
- Cold water1 l
- Long beans80 g
- Cherry tomatoes100 g
- Fresh red bird's eye chillies3 piece
- Dried shrimp2 tbsp
- Palm sugar1.5 tbsp + to taste
- Fish sauce2 tbsp + to taste
- Lime juice3 tbsp + to taste
- Roasted peanuts3 tbsp
Tools
SpoonJulienne peelerPestle and mortarChef's knifeLarge bowlColanderPeelerChopping boardMortar pestle
Method
1
Peel a garlic clove the 3 garlic cloves
Result · Peeled garlic cloves · used in step 15
30sChopping boardGarlic clove · 3 clove
2
Rinse the green papaya → under cold running water
30sGreen papaya · 400 g
3
Peel the rinsed green papaya
1 minPeelerRinsed green papaya · step 2
4
Julienne the peeled green papaya → fine shreds
3 minJulienne peelerPeeled green papaya · step 3
5
Add the cold water and the julienned green papaya to the bowl
20sLarge bowlCold water · 1 l
6
Soak the papaya shreds in water → papaya crisps in cold water
5 minLarge bowl
7
Drain the crisped papaya shreds
30sColander
8
Rinse the long beans → under cold running water
30sLong beans · 80 g
9
Trim the rinsed long beans
1 minChefs knifeRinsed long beans · step 8
10
Chop the trimmed long beans
Result · Long beans cut into 4 cm pieces · used in step 23
1 minChefs knifeTrimmed long beans · step 9
11
Rinse the cherry tomatoes → under cold running water
30sCherry tomatoes · 100 g
12
Halve the rinsed cherry tomatoes
Result · Halved cherry tomatoes · used in step 26
1 minChefs knifeRinsed cherry tomatoes · step 11
13
Rinse the 3 fresh red bird's eye chillies → under cold running water
30sFresh red bird's eye chillies · 3 piece
14
Trim the rinsed fresh red bird's eye chillies → stems removed
30sChefs knifeRinsed fresh red bird's eye chillies · step 13
15
Crush the peeled garlic cloves and trimmed bird's eye chillies → coarse paste
1 minMortar pestlePeeled garlic cloves · step 1Trimmed bird's eye chillies · step 14
16
Add the dried shrimp and the garlic and chilli paste to the mortar pestle
30sMortar pestleDried shrimp · 2 tbsp
17
Pound the shrimp and garlic-chilli mixture → broken up but textured
Result · Broken shrimp and paste · used in step 19
1 minMortar pestleShrimp and garlic-chilli mixture · step 16
18
Add the palm sugar, fish sauce and lime juice and the broken shrimp and paste to the mortar pestle
1 minMortar pestlePalm sugar · 1.5 tbspFish sauce · 2 tbspLime juice · 3 tbsp
19
Stir the dressingLook foruntil palm sugar fully dissolved
1 minSpoonDressing · step 21
20
Add the long beans cut into 4 cm pieces and dressing to the mortar pestle
20sMortar pestleLong beans cut into 4 cm pieces · step 10Dressing · step 22
21
Bruise the beans in dressing → pressed with pestle to absorb dressing
1 minMortar pestleBeans in dressing · step 23
22
Add the bruised beans in dressing to the mortar pestle
20sMortar pestleBruised beans in dressing · step 24
23
Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the mortar pestle
20sMortar pestleHalved cherry tomatoes · step 12
24
Toss the papaya and beans with tomatoes → papaya lightly bruised; well combined
1 minMortar pestle
25
Taste the tossed papaya salad → check seasoning
30sSpoon
26
Add the fish sauce to the mortar pestle → if needed for seasoning adjustment
20sMortar pestleFish sauce · to taste
27
Add the lime juice to the mortar pestle → if needed for seasoning adjustment
20sMortar pestleLime juice · to taste
28
Add the palm sugar to the mortar pestle → if needed for seasoning adjustment
20sMortar pestlePalm sugar · to taste
29
Transfer the balanced papaya salad from the large bowl onto the serving plate
30sServing plateBalanced papaya salad · step 31
30
Scatter the roasted peanuts over the balanced papaya salad → serve immediately
Result · Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
30sServing plateRoasted peanuts · 3 tbsp
Printed 3 September 2026