Can I use a bowl and wooden spoon instead of a mortar?
Yes, but you'll need to bruise the papaya more deliberately—press hard with the back of the spoon against the bowl to mimic the pounding action. A food processor over-shreds everything.
Thai · lunch
Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
#thai#salad#raw#no-cook#spicy
15m
Total time
2
Servings
—
kcal
easy
Difficulty
Apr 14, 2026
INGREDIENTS.
2
Produce
- 250 g Green papaya
- 50 g Carrot (optional)
- 50 g Green beans
- 100 g Cherry tomatoes
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1 whole Thai bird's eye chili
- 40 ml Lime juice
Pantry
- 20 g Roasted peanuts
- 20 ml Fish sauce (or vegan fish sauce)
- 10 g Palm sugar
Meat
- 5 g Dried shrimp (optional)
THE METHOD.
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FAQ · Things people ask
About this recipe.
What if I can't find green papaya?
Use julienned green mango, kohlrabi, or even underripe cantaloupe. You want firm, neutral flesh that stays crunchy and doesn't turn sweet when pounded.
How do I make this vegan?
Swap fish sauce for a vegan version (soy sauce mixed with a pinch of seaweed or mushroom powder works) and skip the dried shrimp. The rest of the recipe stays the same.
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