Lao Papaya Salad Recipe: How To Make The Famous Laotian Salad

This easy, and vibrant Lao papaya salad recipe is a delicious and iconic Laotian dish. Bursts of crunchy, spicy, and tangy bliss come together with crisp shredded green papaya and tomatoes, green beans, and chilies. In just under 15 minutes, you can savor the harmonious balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes that make it an absolute delight!

What is Lao Papaya Salad – Tum Mak Hoong

Lao Papaya Salad also known as “Thum Mak Hoong” or “Tam Mak Hoong”  is a popular Laotian dish.

It is not just a salad, but a cultural symbol of the diverse culinary tradition of Laos.

It is spicy and tangy and made from unripe green papaya, tomatoes, green beans, and fermented fish or crab.

The ingredients are pounded together in a mortar and pestle to release the flavors and create a blend of sweet, sour, and spicy tastes.

What’s the Difference between Thai and Lao Papaya Salad?

The Lao-style Papaya Salad differs from the Thai version, known as “Som tam.” 

Both salads use green papaya as the main ingredient, but the Lao version tends to be stronger and spicier and uses fermented crab as seasoning. 

The Thai version is milder and sweeter using fish sauce and crushed peanuts for flavoring. 

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History of Lao Papaya Salad

Green papaya salad is said to have originated in Laos, where it is a beloved signature dish.

Lao refugees from the Vietnam War made their way to Thailand and across southeast Asia, taking their beloved recipe with them.

As a result, you’ll find several variations of green papaya salad in Cambodia, Vietnam, and the most popular one in Thailand, som tum or Thai green papaya salad.

Thum mak hoong, or Lao papaya salad is traditionally made in a mortar and pestle. 

The word “thum” means pounded, referring to the pounding of ingredients together in the mortar and pestle.

Discovering Papaya Salad in Laos

While on our culinary travels through Southeast Asia, we arrived in Luang Prabang, Laos from Thailand. 

Already fans of Thai green papaya salad, we could not wait to try the original Lao green papaya salad.

During a visit to a locally recommend roadside eatery called Papaya Salad Restaurant, we had our first introduction to the best Lao papaya salad. 

Made to order and pounded in a mortar and pestle, we watched in fascination as the vendor put the ingredients in precise proportions.

Crunchy textures of wide strips of papaya combined with fresh ingredients made the delicious papaya salad quite enjoyable.

One thing that surprised us was how spicy it was. Fortunately, it was served with a large basket of sticky rice which helped tame the heat.

Throughout our Laos stay, we enjoyed the papaya salad as a popular starter. One difference we noticed was the variation in spice levels. 

As you make this Lao green papaya at home, feel free to adjust the amount of spices used to your personal tastes.

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Lao Papaya Salad Recipe – How To Make Tam Mak Hoong

Lao Papaya Salad Ingredients

• Unripe green papaya
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Long green beans or snake beans

Lao Papaya Salad Dressing

• Fermented Fish Sauce
• Crab Paste
• Shrimp paste
• Palm sugar

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Check our Vietnamese peanut sauce recipe for a tasty and smooth Asian salad dressing.

Lao Papaya Salad Recipe Tips

When making this Lao papaya salad recipe at home, here are some tips to make the process easier. 

• A Balance of Flavors – This traditional Laotian green papaya salad should have a balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and, savory flavors. Aim to maintain that balance as you put the salad together.

• Use a Pestle and Mortar – The best way to make this papaya salad is by using a pestle and mortar, to release the flavors of the ingredients. This traditional method enhances the taste and texture of the salad.

• Don’t Over-Pound – Make sure not to over-pound your Lao green papaya salad. Otherwise, the papaya runs the risk of becoming too mushy and losing its firm texture.

What Type of Papaya to Use

To make this Lao papaya salad at home, it is essential to use green unripe papaya. 

This kind of green papaya is firm and has a mild and tangy taste, which is perfect for this traditional salad. 

Look for one that is green overall, and that feels firm to the touch. The unripe papaya should not have any soft or yellow spots. 

Avoid using ripe papayas, as they will be sweeter and softer in texture, which does not work well for this traditional recipe.

How To Shred Papaya

Start by washing and peeling the skin off the unripe papaya using a vegetable peeler.

Then cut the papaya in half lengthwise to remove the seeds.

You can use a sharp knife to shred the papaya into thin, long strips. 

However, a better and safe option is to use a mandoline slicer with a julienne mode or attachment for the best results with zero effort.

Lao Papaya Salad Sauce

The secret to making a delicious and authentic Lao papaya salad lies in the sauce. Unlike Thai papaya salad, the Lao green papaya salad is made with a fermented fish sauce known as Padaek.

Fermented fish sauce is thicker and more pungent than traditional fish sauce. 

It often contains pieces of cured fish, and it is one of the main ingredients that make this iconic salad so delicious.

Where to Buy Padaek – Fermented Fish Sauce

Fermented Fish sauce is usually available at specialty Asian grocery stores. In addition to Padeak, you may also find it referred to as Lao fish sauce.

If you don’t have access to Padeak or cannot find it in your area, you can use Thai fish sauce known as Pla Ra. 

You can order fish sauce on Amazon, though for the best Lao papaya salad, there is no substitute for Padaek.

Lao Papaya Salad Substitutes

• If you can’t find a green papaya, you can substitute it with a green mango. It has a similar crunchy texture and tangy flavor.

• Instead of using palm sugar, you can use brown sugar or honey to sweeten the dressing.

• If you don’t have limes, you can use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead.

Lao Papaya Salad Step by Step Instructions

Peel Green Papaya and Carrot

Wash and peel green papaya and carrots using a vegetable peeler. With a mandoline or sharp knife, shred the green papaya and carrot lengthwise.

Pound ingredients in a Mortar and Pestle

Place ingredients in a mortar and pestle and grind the garlic, chilis, green beans, and tomatoes.

Add Shredded Papaya and Carrots

Add the shredded carrots and papaya to the mixed ingredients. Using a large spoon gently mix and press together to allow the pounded papaya to absorb the sauce. 

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