Som tum or papaya salad is Thai regular cuisine which is now worldwide. Traditionally, it is a type of Northeast Thais’ favorite. North and Northeast Thais call it ‘tum som’.
Tum som or som tum preparation is very simple. The main ingredients are a green papaya, spices, garlic, lime juice, and fish sauce or a condiment of fermented fish. First, peel a papaya and clean it. Then, chop the papaya in lengthways and then cut it into short strips. Next, use a pestle and mortar to crush spices and garlic finely. After that, put in papaya strips and combine all the ingredients together. Sliced tomatoes and string beans can also be added. Then add lime juice and fish sauce to one’s liking. For the real Northeast taste, a condiment of fermented fish or pla ra is preferred to fish sauce. Sometimes both of them are added to the dish. Som tum can be eaten with sticky rice and other dishes such as grilled catfish, grilled chicken and so on.... (http://www.thaifolk.com/Doc/cuisine/somtum/somtum_e.htm)
Translator : Rujira Suwannoy
