Somtum (aka Papaya Salad) is one of the dishes that every Thai and almost every “farang” (Westerner) I know in Chiang Mai love. Somtum is found EVERYWHERE from street stalls to restaurants.
This is a spicy salad made from ingredients such as shreds of unripe papaya, tomato, long beans, peanuts, garlic, etc. These are all pounded together in a giant mortar with lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar and of course, chilli! The result is a refreshing and delicious blend of flavours.
There are many variations of somtum. Sometimes brined crabs (the variety found in rice fields) or fermented fish (which has a very…interesting smell) are added. Both these ingredients are raw, and there is a risk of you getting hepatitis from it, so I wouldn’t actually recommend you try these varieties, even if you’re very adventurous! I suggest do as I do and just stick to the plain version - which, in my opinion, taste better anyway!
Somtum is typically served with grilled chicken and sticky rice.
on Jun 25th, 2010 at 9:29 am
I hope the somtam in Bangkok is as good as here in the north!