We make Lao Papaya Salad (Tum Mak Hoong) for the FIRST TIME!

fish sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: salt + water

Soy sauce provides a similar umami flavor while being vegetarian.

palm sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey offers a natural sweetness with fewer processing steps.

green papaya

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: cabbage

Zucchini can mimic the texture of papaya while being more accessible.

Thai bird chilies

🥗Healthier: jalapeño

💰Cheaper: red pepper flakes

Jalapeños provide heat with a milder flavor.

Go to the market to buy ingredients for papaya salad.

Select a green papaya and other vegetables like long beans, cherry tomatoes, and carrots.

Use a peeler to peel the green papaya and cut it in half to remove the seeds.

Shred the green papaya into thin strips using a peeler.

Shred 1 cup of carrots and add them to the papaya.

Chop the long beans into smaller pieces and add them to the mixture.

Pound garlic and Thai bird chilies in a mortar and pestle until crushed.

Add palm sugar and continue to pound until dissolved.

Pour in lime juice and fish sauce, mixing well.

Combine the shredded papaya, carrots, long beans, and cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.

Pour the dressing over the salad and mix thoroughly.

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens