Does som tam taste the same wherever you eat it?
No. The chilli and seasoning used and the way of adding sweetness differ. If the smell of fermentation is unfamiliar, it helps to ask first whether pla ra goes in.
Som Tam
Som Tam · ส้มตำ
If you want something crunchy and tangy, try som tam. It is a salad made by cutting unripe papaya into thin strips and pounding it with seasoning in a mortar. The papaya soaks up sourness and heat, and it goes well with sticky rice or grilled food. In Isan some versions use a fermented fish seasoning, so if the smell of fermentation is unfamiliar, ask which kind of som tam it is when you order.
Som Tam green papaya salad, Bangkok, Thailand · Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0
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What does it taste like?
Sour and spicy seasoning blends with the crunch of papaya. In the versions that use pla ra, a fermented fish seasoning, you can also notice the smell of fermentation. Even with the same som tam, the taste differs with how the seasoning and chilli are used.
If you want less heat, say so before it is made.
Dish basics
- Dish name
- Som Tam · Som Tam
- Thai name
- ส้มตำ
- Type
- Sides and grilled dishes
- Region
- North-east · Isan · A signature Isan dish · eaten across the country
- Main ingredients
- Unripe papaya seasoned with chilli and souring ingredients. Peanuts, dried shrimp and fermented fish seasoning depend on the kind of som tam.
The dish and its region
Som tam is a signature dish of Isan and is eaten in many Thai cities. Even within Isan, each area has different kinds, so you can compare the taste of som tam just as regional cooking differs across India. On a Khon Kaen trip, have it with sticky rice and other Isan dishes.
How to order and eat it
- Choose the kind of som tam and ask whether a fermented fish seasoning such as pla ra goes in.
- If you want less heat, say so before it is made. Once the papaya has been pounded with the seasoning, it is hard to take out only the chilli.
- Order sticky rice and other dishes together and eat a little of each at a time. You get a different meal from eating papaya alone.
Frequently asked questions
It is a papaya salad, so is it vegetarian?
Not necessarily. Some kinds use fish seasoning or dried shrimp. If you are vegetarian, ask whether the seasoning and toppings other than papaya can be eaten.
More dishes and cities to explore
Official sources and references
If you want to read more about these dishes and regions, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one eatery to another.
Sharing image credit: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0