Everyone raves about the food in Thailand but to be honest I’ve never been a fan. The dishes I’ve tried abroad and on our brief trip to Bangkok three years ago just didn’t inspire me. Since we’ve been in Thailand this time though, eating has been such a pleasure. We have had some average meals but once we discovered some great, vegetarian friendly places to eat things began to really look up.
This is the classic Thai dish Som Tam, or spicy green papaya salad. I was happy to discover a vegetarian version (without the usual fish sauce and shrimp) at the wonderful vegetarian restaurant Pun Pun in Chiang Mai. Thin slices of green papaya and carrot, green beans, peanuts, cherry tomatoes, lime, garlic and lots of chilli are pounded together in a pestle and mortar to release the flavours. It’s fiery hot and utterly delicious.
I love spicy papaya salad! There is this Thai restaurant in Toronto that makes a really tasty vegetarian spicy papaya salad!
I can’t believe we’ve never tried it before. We are doing a cooking course tomorrow and will learn to make it ourselves.
Where are you doing your cooking course? Are you cooking with Poo?
Asia Scenic. There are so many classes to chose from, but everyone seems to love it where ever they go.
Looks pretty awesome to me. Especially since I’m on a juice fast right now and a little hungry
That sounds tough! Good luck with it and have some som tam when you finish!
I love som tam! It’s my favorite thai dish ever! Glad you share the love!!!!!
Yum, this Thai dish Som Tam looks really delicious and hot! I totally miss this one. I have this local dish when we visited Thailand last summer. And I hope to go back soon.
OMG, I’m so shocked you didn’t love Thai food before!!! We’ve been addicted to it since we were young, and must admit that was the reason we first went to Thailand years ago. I’m so glad you like it now. Love Som Tam too! Have you been to ‘Som Tam’ at Siam Square? It’s a hugely popular Isaan place that is a local favourite – normally has long lines out front, but get there early or late to avoid the queues – they do the most delicious fried chicken in the world. I know it’s tough at the moment, but are you travelling around Thailand at all? If so, try to get to the Isaan – best Som Tam in Thailand (naturally): http://grantourismotravels.com/2011/07/01/footpath-feasting-chicken-and-salad-isaan-style/
I know, I always felt it was weird I didn’t like it – must have never eaten at the right places. We have just rented a place in Chiang Mai for 3 months but would love to get to Isaan at some point next year.
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I made a green papaya salad similar to this meal just a few days ago!
It was delicious, mmmm.
It’s so easy to make too!
Its tasty, there is a variety of Som Tums, the one above is called Som Tum Thai.