Bangkok-Style Green Papaya Salad Recipe
Green Papaya Salad {Bangkok Style!} - a light, healthy and refreshing salad bursting with authentic Thai Flavors! Serve with cabbage leaves and sticky rice.
How to Make the Best Bangkok-Style Green Papaya Salad
This Bangkok-style green papaya salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that captures the essence of Thai street food. Known as som tam in Thailand, this salad perfectly balances sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors in every bite. The crunchy texture of the shredded green papaya combined with the bold dressing makes it an irresistible appetizer or light meal.
What makes this version authentically Bangkok-style is the muddling technique, which helps release the flavors from the garlic, chilies, and long beans while slightly softening the papaya to absorb the dressing. The roasted peanuts add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor that ties everything together beautifully.
Serve this salad with sticky rice and fresh cabbage leaves for wrapping—it’s the traditional way to enjoy som tam and makes for a fun, interactive dining experience. This dish is not only delicious but also incredibly healthy, coming in at just 85 calories per serving while packed with fresh vegetables and bold Thai flavors.
Bangkok-Style Green Papaya Salad
Green Papaya Salad {Bangkok Style!} - a light, healthy and refreshing salad bursting with authentic Thai Flavors! Serve with cabbage leaves and sticky rice.
Ingredients
Salad
Dressing
Instructions
Prepare the Salad
- Slice the green papaya in half, scoop out seeds with a spoon, and peel. Grate into small matchsticks. Set aside.
- Mash two garlic cloves with 1-2 red Thai chilies and place in a large bowl.
- Muddle the long beans for one minute. Add to the bowl.
- Add the tomatoes and shredded papaya to the bowl.
Make Dressing and Serve
- In a small bowl, mix sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and water.
- Pour dressing over the salad and muddle and stir for about one minute. You can also use your hands and massage (use kitchen gloves).
- Add the peanuts and toss.
- Serve with sticky rice and cabbage leaves to make little wraps!
Notes
- For a spicier salad, use 2 Thai chilies instead of 1.
- Palm sugar is more traditional, but brown sugar works as a great substitute.
- You can use a julienne peeler or mandoline to shred the papaya quickly.
