Som Tam – Green Papaya Salad

Som Tam is one of the most ubiquitous foods in Thailand. Its ubiquity is no doubt bolstered by its social significance. Because, you see, to many Thai people som tam is much more than just a side dish or appetizer.

Some Som Tam comes in many forms; som tam thai is the very common, somewhat sweet variety made with green papaya, tomato, peanuts, small dried shrimp, fish sauce, lime, and chili.  Another common variety is the som tam bpu (crab) which is made with a small fermented crab crushed up in with the papaya, sauces, and other ingredients. Sometime the papaya is replaced with green mango; this sort of som tam is particularly popular with women during menstruation. Can’t make a personal testimonial there, but I have heard that quite a bit.

The really important thing to remember when approaching som tam though is the really important role that it plays in social activities and leisure time in Thailand. Thai culture has a very intimate relationship with food; certain foods for certain times of day, emotions, and situations.

Som Tam is the go-to food when a group of buddies want to get together and hang out. For many people when they mention eating som tam, they are talking about much more than sitting down to a spicy salad; they are talking about the highlights of their social calendar and some of their fondest memories.

With that in mind, remember that an invitation to join someone for som tam is much, much more than an offer to satiate your hunger with a bite to eat, and try to accept it whether or not you feel much like eating. It will be worth your time.

If you want to make Som Tam at home, here is the recipe: Som Tam – Papaya Salad