Thailand Guide

Green Papaya Salad in Chiang Mai ส้มตำไทย

Som tum Thai is shredded green papaya pounded with lime, palm sugar, fish sauce, tomato, and peanut. At SP Chicken it is the salad that sits next to the charcoal chicken, and the board sells it for 40 THB.

Chiang Mai40 THBsom tam thai Thai food hub
Green Papaya Salad in Chiang Mai

Photo: Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Thaiส้มตำไทย · som tam thai
Price40 THB
RoomSP Chicken, Sam Lan
Clock10:00 to 17:00

What it tastes like

  • Lime, palm sugar, tomato, and peanut. Ask for less chili before they pound.

How to order it

  • Thai name: som tam thai (ส้มตำไทย).
  • Say: Khor som tam thai, mai sai pu, pet nit noi, khrap/kha.
  • Say pet nit noi before the mortar starts. The salad is 40 THB.

Typical price

  • 2026 cash: 40 THB.

Where to try it

  • SP Chicken, 9/1 Sam Lan Soi 1, Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200. 10:00 to 17:00 daily. 40 THB. Skip this, go here: skip a hotel papaya cup. This mortar is 40 THB beside the grill, and the chicken is the plate it belongs with.

Spice level and diet

  • Heat: Hot if you stay quiet. Say pet nit noi.
  • Diet: Fish sauce and dried shrimp unless you ask them out.

Next plates

Book

Southeast Asia TravelGuide Network

Compare Across Southeast Asia: Thai Food vs. Vietnamese Food

Eating your way across Southeast Asia? Pair Thailand’s wok-fired street stalls and regional curries with Vietnam’s herb-bright broths, banh mi, and specialty coffee.

Common questions

Is the papaya salad included with the chicken?
No. Som tum Thai is its own plate at 40 THB, ordered beside the chicken.
Can the salad be less hot?
Yes. Say pet nit noi before they pound, because the chili goes in first.