What is som tam?
Som tam · Thai
Thai green papaya salad pounded in a mortar with lime, fish sauce, palm sugar, chilies, tomatoes and peanuts.
What it tastes like
Crunchy, sour, sweet, salty and often seriously spicy. Lao-style versions add funky fermented fish sauce.
Where you’ll see it
Thai and Lao restaurants, often with grilled chicken and sticky rice; also listed as papaya salad.