Authentic Isaan Som Tum (Papaya Salad) with Sticky Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-27 · Updated 2026-03-27

A vibrant green papaya salad with a tangy lime dressing, paired with sweet sticky rice for a balanced Isaan flavor profile. This Thai-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs unripe green papaya, lime, fish sauce into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 large, julienned unripe green papaya
• 2, juiced lime
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp, grated palm sugar
• 2, finely chopped chili
• 1.5 cups, soaked and steamed sticky rice
• 1/4 cup, crushed roasted peanuts
• 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 1 large julienned unripe green papaya with 2 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 lime juices, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp grated palm sugar, and 2 finely chopped chilies until the sugar dissolves.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the papaya mixture and toss until well coated. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
4. Step 4: Serve the som tum with 1.5 cups steamed sticky rice, garnished with additional crushed peanuts and cilantro.