Then it’s time to try tam som, otherwise known as green papaya salad. And not just in Australian restaurants – in Laos or Thailand. Order it “medium spicy”. And prepare to have your world ...

The Thai dish of som tam, or green papaya salad, is wonderfully refreshing. In restaurants, it's served as the cook makes it. But Thailand’s street stalls and specialist som tam shops will ...

Finely shred papaya, then soak in iced water. Drain and refrigerate until needed. Using a large mortar and pestle, pound sugar, garlic and chillies to a rough paste.