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== Som Tam ==

'''Som Tam''' (pronunciation: /sɔ̌m tâm/), also known as '''[[Papaya Salad]]''', is a popular [[Thai cuisine|Thai dish]] that originated from the [[Isan]] region of [[Thailand]]. The name "Som Tam" is derived from two [[Thai language|Thai words]]: "som" meaning "sour" and "tam" meaning "pounded". 

=== Etymology ===

The term "Som Tam" is of [[Thai language|Thai]] origin. "Som" (/sɔ̌m/) translates to "sour" in English, and "Tam" (/tâm/) means "pounded". The name is descriptive of the dish's preparation method, which involves pounding green, unripe [[Papaya|papayas]] and mixing them with a variety of sour and spicy ingredients.

=== Ingredients ===

The primary ingredient of Som Tam is unripe [[Papaya|papaya]], which is shredded and pounded in a mortar. Other ingredients include [[Garlic|garlic]], [[Chili pepper|chilies]], [[Lime (fruit)|lime]], [[Fish sauce|fish sauce]], [[Shrimp paste|shrimp paste]], [[Tomato|tomatoes]], and [[Long bean|long beans]]. Some variations of the dish may also include [[Crab|crab]], [[Peanut|peanuts]], or [[Dried shrimp|dried shrimp]].

=== Variations ===

There are several variations of Som Tam, each with its unique combination of ingredients. Some of the most popular variations include:

* '''Som Tam Thai''': This version includes [[Peanut|peanuts]], [[Dried shrimp|dried shrimp]], and [[Palm sugar|palm sugar]].
* '''Som Tam Pu''' (Crab Som Tam): This version includes raw [[Crab|crab]] and [[Fermented fish|fermented fish]].
* '''Som Tam Khai Kem''' (Salted Egg Som Tam): This version includes [[Salted egg|salted egg]].

=== See Also ===

* [[Thai cuisine]]
* [[Isan]]
* [[Papaya Salad]]
* [[List of Thai dishes]]

[[Category:Thai cuisine]]
[[Category:Salads]]
[[Category:Dictionary of Thai dishes]]

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