Som tum
ส้มตำ
How spicy could you go?
som tum Thai, phet nit noi
Thai style papaya salad, a little spicy
Green papaya, long beans, tomatoes, lime, fish sauce, palm sugar and chilli, pounded in a clay mortar right in front of you. You tell them how many chillies. They decide how many chillies.
Som tum Thai is the sweeter one with peanuts, a safe first try. Eat it with sticky rice and grilled chicken like a local. My Mumma's version? Pet mak. Very spicy. I asked for one chilli once.