Thai Green Papaya Salad with Jicama
Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum) with Jicama is a vibrant, refreshing salad originating from Thailand, traditionally made by pounding shredded unripe papaya, jicama, tomatoes, green beans, and peanuts in a mortar with a dressing of lime, fish sauce, chili, and palm sugar. It's a staple of Thai street food, known for its bold balance of sour, salty, spicy, and sweet flavors.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally low in fat and moderate in carbohydrates, primarily from the vegetables and a small amount of sugar in the dressing. It provides good dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium, with a typical serving containing roughly 150-250 calories depending on portion size and dressing intensity.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 130 kcal |
| Protein | 3.5 g |
| Carbs | 22 g |
| Fat | 4.5 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
| Vitamin C | 45 mg |
| Vitamin A | 180 mcg RAE |
| Potassium | 380 mg |
| Manganese | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin K | 25 mcg |
| Iron | 1.2 mg |
| Calcium | 65 mg |
| Magnesium | 35 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Som Tum is a symbol of Thai culinary philosophy, emphasizing the harmony of contrasting flavors and textures. Nutritionally, the use of green papaya and jicama offers a crunchy, low-calorie base rich in digestive enzymes and antioxidants, making it a popular choice for both flavor and health-conscious eating.
