Dessert

Tam Sua: Thai Papaya Salad with Noodles Recipe

Name: Tam Sua: Thai Papaya Salad with Noodles Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 3 cloves garlic; 2 chilies (adjust to taste); 1 small lime; ¼ cup small tomatoes (sliced); ⅔ cup green papaya (shredded); 5 culantro leaves (chopped); 1 handful bean sprouts; 3 tablespoons fermented fish sauce; 2 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 tablespoons tamarind paste; 1 tablespoon palm sugar; 1½ cups fresh rice vermicelli noodles

ByLila Prescott April 20, 2026April 20, 2026

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Introduction

Tam Sua is a refreshing Thai papaya salad combined with delicate rice vermicelli noodles. This vibrant dish balances tangy, spicy, and savory flavors in just 15 minutes, making it a perfect light meal or side.

This image shows a fresh plate of papaya salad served on green banana leaves placed inside a white round basket tray. The salad is colorful with many layers: thin white rice noodles are mixed with light green shredded papaya, small red chili pieces, and scattered dark green herb leaves. There are bits of light yellow and translucent crushed nuts and some darker brown dried shrimp scattered throughout. The textures look crisp and fresh with a mix of soft noodles and crunchy vegetables. The photo is close up, showing the details of each ingredient with a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic
2 chilies (adjust to taste)

3 tablespoons fermented fish sauce
2 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons tamarind paste
1 tablespoon palm sugar

1 small lime
¼ cup small tomatoes (sliced)
⅔ cup green papaya (shredded)

1½ cups fresh rice vermicelli
5 culantro leaves (chopped)
1 handful bean sprouts

Instructions

Step 1: Peel and shred the green papaya into thin strips.
Step 2: In a mortar, pound the garlic and chilies until roughly crushed.
Step 3: Add fermented fish sauce, fish sauce, tamarind paste, palm sugar, and lime juice to the mortar. Mix and press until the sugar dissolves.

Step 4: Add the sliced tomatoes and gently bruise them to release their juices.
Step 5: Add the shredded papaya to the dressing and mix until well coated.
Step 6: Add the fresh rice vermicelli and gently combine everything.

Step 7: Toss in the chopped culantro leaves and bean sprouts lightly, then serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Adjust the chilies according to your heat preference to make the salad milder or spicier.
If fresh rice vermicelli isn’t available, soak dried vermicelli in warm water until soft.

Replace culantro with fresh cilantro if unavailable, although the flavor will be slightly different.

Storage

Tam Sua is best enjoyed fresh to maintain its crunch and vibrant flavors. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. Stir gently before serving cold or at room temperature, but avoid reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up of a fresh papaya salad with thin white bean sprouts mixed with light green shredded papaya and small pieces of green leaves, bright red chili flakes and dried red chili, and bits of tomato scattered on top. The salad is layered on a green banana leaf, which lies inside a round woven basket that is visible at the edge. The texture of the salad looks crunchy and fresh, with a mix of soft and crisp ingredients. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Tam Sua vegetarian?

Yes. Substitute the fermented fish sauce and fish sauce with soy sauce or a vegetarian fish sauce alternative to keep the umami flavor without animal products.

What is the best way to shred green papaya?

Use a sharp knife or a mandoline with a julienne setting to slice the papaya into thin strips. You can also use a box grater if a mandoline is not available.