Som tam

"Som tam" (Thai/Isan ส้มตำ) is a spicy papaya salad originating in the Isan region of Thailand. "Som" (ส้ม) in Isan is sour, and "tam" (ตำ) means pounded. It is also sometimes written as som tum, som dtam or som dtum. Other names for the dish are papaya pok pok (from the sound produced when preparing the dish in a mortar) or tam mak hung (ตำหมากหุ่ง) in Isan (mak hung is the Isan word for papaya).

The main ingredient is grated, unripe papaya, seasoned and pounded to a softened state in a mortar. There are many variations of the dish, some made with carrot instead of papaya. Chilli, lime and fish sauce are also usually added. The dish combines the four main tastess of Thai cuisine: sweet papaya, sour lime, hot chilli and salty fish sauce. It is served at room temperature, traditionally with sticky rice.

In Isan the dish is normally more spicy and sour, while the Central Thai version is milder; these are sometimes called som tam Lao and som tam Thai respectively.