Som Tam is staple among the Thai people and a dish all tourists hear about and want to try. If you truly like spicy food then you’ll love Som Tam if you think you like spicy food then be forewarned that som tam could be classified as a class A incendiary device.
The dish is served cold and starts off with an unripened papaya, which by itself is pretty good. Then add in five or so Birdseye peppers (hot), a lime, palm sugar, fish sauce, tamarind juice, some tomatoes, and if you’re feeling up to it some fermented fish or crab otherwise known as Bla Rah.
This dish looks very innocuous and appetizing and it is very good if you like seriously spicy food otherwise it’s something you have to get used too. I can handle a few spoonfuls here and there now and I love the taste but the Spicy can go down like molten lava.
The first time I tried it my girl and I brought take out back to the apartment one night and she had gotten Som Tam and kept asking me to try it…I told her I knew it was Som Tam and very hot. She just said ” No, teelac not hot I promise”, so I took a big spoonful and started breathing fire! After she stopped laughing she reminded me that it is a cold dish not hot but very spicy.
If you’re looking for a authentic Thai dish that’s very spicy then make sure the next time you’re in your favorite Thai restaurant or in Thailand to give it a go…just make sure ample water is available!
If you fancy yourself a cook then you can find a very good Som Tam recipe over at Joy’s Thai Food as well as many other authentic Thai dishes by an authentic Thai lady.
You can see many more pictures of tasty Thai dishes in the Thai Food Gallery
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Sawatdee Kaa…
oh, I love Som Tam too! will find out the recipe at Joy’s Thai Food..Thanks!
Monicas last blog post..Riot in Tesco…or Not?
Great post. I’ll have to give it a try the next time I’m in Thailand. The Thai food on my last trip was a disappointment.
Stevos last blog post..walking into the urban sunrise – a photo essay
I always love the thai papaya salad! But the ones we have here may not be as authentic as the ones in Thailand.
My Bug Lifes last blog post..A Proverbial Chilli
yummy, look delicious
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“I always love the thai papaya salad! But the ones we have here may not be as authentic as the ones in Thailand.”
There’s quite a few variations even in Thailand so I’m betting it’s probably close.
wow, sounds tasty!
Ginnys last blog post..On pendants and lack of sales
Wow!!! Sounds real good. I love having spicy food, specially with those Hot peppers.
They taste simply fab!!
Nope, I couldn’t even come close to this dish. My mouth doesn’t handle spicy at all. My wife on the other hand would probably love it.
Beamer
Beamers last blog post..Sunflower day 2
Do you guys have to worry about drug testing in Thailand?
See my response to you at Mint sprig on my photo blog.
http://bmw101.blogspot.com/2008/07/mint-sprig-macro.html
Beamer
Actually the police have been known to shut down a bar now and again and test everyone on the premises for drugs.
Sorry but the picture is not of Som Tam but of Tam Taeng pbuu daawng ????? ?????, i.e. cucumber salad with crab, a variation of Som Tam where papaya is replaced by cucumber. Still good if you like cucumber, I don’t
Rogers last blog post..In the moment: reaching out to gay men online
Actually you are partially right…it is Som Tam but my girl had cucumber added to it.
This looks good! I must ask whether this dish is available here in the Thai restaurants in KK!
JACQs last blog post..Weekend Activities
Ocos..it’s at Mango…in it’s authentic form!! Cheers!
I love Som Tam. I had it in Thailand both times I went. I have had a hard time finding it in LA, but I am sure it is here somewhere. I haven’t been to Thai Town in too long.
The spice in this comes as a surprise. It seems pretty innocent at first glance. The hotter the better I say. Thanks for the post. I will have to try out the recipe.
Surfer Js last blog post..Award Winning Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
despite having lived in thailand, i never had som tam. I just handle that much heat. It took me ages to work up to “mild.” Thinking about it still makes my eyes water.
Nomadic Matts last blog post..Interview with Leif Pettersen
I didn’t know there was a mild option… I can only imagine mild to a Thai…have to have asbestos underwear to consider it.
Nice dish will prepare at home by having look at this receipt
Thanks
sage333s last blog post..Return from tour-2
Even i love to have spicy food and the pic gives me a feel that it would be something worth to give a try.