KhaosanRoad.com
#3 of 20 Thai dishes to die for · Salad · Isan (north-east Thailand) and Laos

Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad) ส้มตำ

Shredded green papaya pounded in a clay mortar with chilli, garlic, lime, fish sauce and palm sugar — fresh, crunchy and fiery.

Spice:
🌶🌶🌶🌶 Very spicy
Also spelled:
som tum, papaya salad, tam mak hoong

What is Som Tam?

Som tam means “sour pounded”. Unripe papaya is shredded and lightly bruised in a clay mortar (krok) with garlic, bird’s-eye chilli, long beans, tomato, lime, fish sauce and palm sugar. It should crunch, and it should hurt a little.

It comes from the Lao-speaking north-east, where it is eaten with sticky rice and grilled chicken (gai yang) — the holy trinity of Isan food, sold from carts all over Bangkok.

Expect the vendor to ask how many chillies. One or two is already spicy for most visitors.

Regional versions

Som tam Thai is sweeter, with peanuts and dried shrimp. Som tam Lao/pla ra is funky with fermented fish sauce and salted crab (som tam poo pla ra). Tam pa (“jungle” som tam) throws in noodles, pickled bamboo and more.

How to order it

“Som tam Thai” for the mild, sweet version; “phrik nueng met” = one chilli.

Watch: Som Tam on YouTube

Embedded from the creators’ own channels (Mark Wiens, Munchies, Pailin's Kitchen). View counts as of 14 Oct 2026.

50 Chilies Papaya Salad!! SPICY THAI FOOD in Thailand! | Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) Mark Wiens · 2,327,861 views (as of 11 Oct 2026)
The Bangkok Queen of Papaya Salad Munchies · 242,572 views (as of 11 Oct 2026)
Green Papaya Salad Recipe (Som Tum) ส้มตำไทย - Hot Thai Kitchen! Pailin's Kitchen · 2,373,824 views (as of 11 Oct 2026)

Top 5 places not to miss for Som Tam

Only places backed by the MICHELIN Guide, reputable food press or a creator who filmed there; each one shows its source. We list fewer rather than pad the list.

  1. 1. Somtum Khun Kan
    Bang Chak, Sukhumvit, Bangkok

    Famous som tam and a broad Isan menu including grilled pork; MICHELIN-listed.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide Google Maps ↗ Famous for: Gai Yang (Isan Grilled Chicken)
  2. 2. Phed Phed Bistro
    Taling Chan, Bangkok

    Bold som tam and grilled meats; MICHELIN-listed.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide Google Maps ↗ Famous for: Gai Yang (Isan Grilled Chicken)
  3. 3. Som Tam Jay So ร้านส้มตำเจ๊โส
    Silom, Bangkok

    A real-deal Isan stall for fiery papaya salad, larb neua and charcoal grilled chicken.

    Source: Eating Thai Food (Mark Wiens) Google Maps ↗ Famous for: Larb (Laab), Gai Yang (Isan Grilled Chicken)
  4. 4. Somtam Nua
    Siam Square, Bangkok

    Easy-to-reach classic for som tam, fried chicken, larb and grilled pork.

    Source: Visit Thailand Today Google Maps ↗ Famous for: Larb (Laab)
  5. 5. Gai Tod Jae Kee (Polo Fried Chicken)
    Soi Sanam Khli (Soi Polo), Lumphini, Bangkok

    Garlic-showered Isan fried chicken with som tam and sticky rice; MICHELIN-listed.Go for the fried chicken, order som tam alongside.

    Source: Time Out Bangkok Google Maps ↗ Famous for: Gai Yang (Isan Grilled Chicken)

More by city: Bangkok food map