Som Tum

Nutrition · per serving

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare all ingredients first: peel and shred the green papaya, cut the long beans into short lengths, halve the cherry tomatoes, peel the garlic, squeeze the lime juice, and measure the remaining dressing ingredients. This mise en place matters because Som Tum is assembled very quickly once pounding begins.

   300 g green papaya, peeled and shredded60 g long beans, cut into 3 cm pieces120 g cherry tomatoes, halved2 garlic cloves, peeled3 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed2 bird's eye chilies25 g palm sugar2 tbsp fish sauce30 g roasted peanuts20 g dried shrimp
2. 2

   In a mortar, pound the garlic and bird's eye chilies to a rough paste. Add the palm sugar and pound just until it starts dissolving. The goal is not a smooth puree but a coarse, aromatic base.

   2 garlic cloves, peeled2 bird's eye chilies25 g palm sugar
3. 3

   Add the dried shrimp and lightly bruise them with the pestle, then add the long beans and pound 3-4 times to crack them slightly. This helps the beans absorb the dressing while keeping them crisp.

   20 g dried shrimp60 g long beans, cut into 3 cm pieces
4. 4

   Add the fish sauce and lime juice, then stir with a spoon to dissolve the sugar fully. Taste the dressing; it should balance salty, sour, sweet, and hot.

   2 tbsp fish sauce3 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
5. 5

   Add the cherry tomatoes and gently pound a few times to release some juice without crushing them completely. Add the shredded green papaya and toss, using the spoon in one hand and pestle in the other, until the papaya softens slightly and is evenly coated.

   120 g cherry tomatoes, halved300 g green papaya, peeled and shredded
6. 6

   Add most of the roasted peanuts and toss once more. Transfer to plates, scatter the remaining peanuts on top, and serve immediately for the best crunch and freshness.

   30 g roasted peanuts

Origin & History

Som Tum originates from Laos and northeastern Thailand, especially the Isan region, and has become one of Thailand's most iconic salads. Its defining character comes from the mortar-pounded dressing and the lively balance of sour, salty, sweet, and spicy flavors. Many regional variations exist, but the version with dried shrimp, peanuts, tomato, and fish sauce is a widely loved classic.