Lao Green Papaya Salad (Tum Mak Ngua)
A refreshing and savory salad made with shredded green papaya, long beans, tomatoes, peanuts, and a flavorful dressing of fish sauce, lime juice, and chili. This version focuses on the 'ngua' (bitter) element often found in Lao cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 medium Green papaya(peeled, seeded, and julienned)
- 100 g Long beans(trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 100 g Cherry tomatoes(halved)
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves
- 1-3 pieces Thai bird's eye chilies(to taste, adjust for spice preference)
- 3 tbsp Fish sauce
- 2 tbsp Lime juice(freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp Palm sugar(or to taste)
- 50 g Roasted peanuts(for garnish)
- 1 tbsp Dried shrimp(optional, for added umami)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and chilies until a coarse paste forms.
💡 Tip: Adjust chili quantity based on your spice tolerance. - 2
Add the long beans to the mortar and pound them lightly to bruise, not to mash.
⏱️ 1 minute - 3
Add the julienned green papaya and cherry tomatoes. Gently pound and toss to combine with the garlic and chili mixture.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to over-pound the papaya, as it should remain crisp. - 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust the seasoning to achieve a balance of salty, sour, and sweet. - 5
Pour the dressing over the papaya mixture. Add the dried shrimp, if using. Toss everything together thoroughly using the pestle and mortar or a large bowl.
💡 Tip: Ensure all ingredients are well coated with the dressing. - 6
Transfer the salad to a serving plate. Garnish generously with roasted peanuts.
💡 Tip: Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use a very firm, unripe green papaya for the best crunch.
- ✓The 'ngua' (bitter) element can be enhanced by adding a small amount of bitter melon, though this is optional.
- ✓For a more authentic flavor, use a traditional Lao mortar and pestle.
🔄 Variations
- Add shredded carrots for color and sweetness.
- Incorporate fermented fish sauce (padaek) for a deeper, funkier flavor profile.
- Add small dried shrimp for an extra layer of umami.