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Tum Mak Hoong Laos Papaya Salad by Authentic Food Quest

Lao Papaya Salad Recipe

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!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Laotian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 79kcal
Author: Authentic Food Quest

Equipment

Ingredients 

Lao Papaya Salad Ingredients

  • 1 papaya green unripened, shredded
  • 1  carrot small, shredded
  • 10  cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup long green beans or snake beans, chopped into 1-inch lengths

Lao Papaya Salad Dressing

Instructions

  • Wash and peel the green papaya using a vegetable peeler. Cut it in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon.
  • Shred the papaya using a sharp knife or mandoline. Do the same with the carrot.
  • Place garlic and chilies In a mortar and pestle and pound together.
  • Add the cut-up green beans and lightly pound.
  • Now, add the tomatoes, palm sugar, fermented fish sauce, shrimp paste, crab paste, and lime juice. Mix everything to create a dressing.
  • Add the shredded carrots and papaya and use a large wooden spoon and a pestle to gently pound and mix the salad. Allow the shredded green papaya to absorb the dressing.
  • Serve the Lao Papaya Salad with lime wedges on the side.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • In Laotian cuisine, green papaya salad is typically eaten with sticky rice. You can enjoy it on its own as a full meal or as an accompaniment to grilled chicken or pork. 
  • To control the spice levels of your papaya salad you can remove the seeds from the chilies to reduce the spicy characteristic.
  • If you prefer your Lao papaya salad a little more sweet (than sour), you can add more sugar or honey.
  • For even more delicious flavors and textures, you can also top your papaya salad with dried shrimp for extra crunch.

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 514mg | Potassium: 340mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 3601IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
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