Lao Style Papaya Salad
Experience the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia with this authentic Lao Style Papaya Salad, or "Tam Mak Hoong," a refreshing dish that's equal parts sweet, tangy, and spicy. Made with crisp shredded green papaya, fiery red chilies, juicy cherry tomatoes, and aromatic garlic, this traditional salad is pounded together in a mortar and pestle to bring out its bold, harmonious flavors. A touch of palm sugar, tangy lime juice, and savory fish sauce (with the optional addition of fermented fish sauce for depth) create a perfectly balanced dressing that clings to every strand of papaya. Topped with crushed peanuts for crunch and served alongside fresh cabbage leaves, this dish is a healthy, no-cook option that's ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect as a light lunch, appetizer, or side dish, this Lao classic bursts with authentic flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Laos!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized Green papaya
- 2 pieces (adjust to taste) Fresh red chili
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 6 pieces (halved) Cherry tomatoes
- 1 whole (juiced) Lime
- 2 tablespoons Fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon Fermented fish sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Palm sugar
- 3 pieces (cut into 2-inch sections) Long beans
- 2 tablespoons Crushed peanuts
- 4 large pieces (for serving) Cabbage leaves
Instructions
Peel the green papaya and discard the skin. Use a julienne peeler, mandoline, or knife to shred the papaya into thin strips. Place the shredded papaya into a bowl of cold water to keep it crisp while preparing the other ingredients. Drain before using.
In a large mortar and pestle, pound the garlic cloves and red chili together until roughly mashed.
Add the palm sugar into the mortar and continue pounding until it dissolves slightly.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes and lightly pound them to release their juices, being careful not to over-mash them.
Add the fish sauce, fermented fish sauce (if using), and lime juice to the mortar. Mix the ingredients together thoroughly.
Add the long beans into the mortar and lightly pound them to incorporate the flavors.
Finally, add the shredded green papaya into the mortar. Use a spoon and pestle to gently mix and pound the ingredients together until the papaya is well-coated with the dressing.
Transfer the papaya salad to a serving plate. Sprinkle crushed peanuts over the top.
Serve the salad with cabbage leaves on the side for scooping up the salad. Enjoy immediately for the freshest taste!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
819 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 14.1 g | 18% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.7 g | 14% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4056 mg | 176% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 154.4 g | 56% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 46.7 g | 167% | |
| Total Sugars | 49.1 g | ||
| Protein | 36.4 g | 73% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 682 mg | 52% | |
| Iron | 21.7 mg | 121% | |
| Potassium | 3846 mg | 82% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
