Sweet and Tangy Green Papaya Salad (Papaiya Saengchae)
A Deliciously Refreshing Green Papaya Salad That’s Even Better Than Radish Salad!
Try making this vibrant Green Papaya Salad instead of the usual Som Tum. It’s wonderfully refreshing and has a delightful sweet and tangy flavor that rivals traditional Korean radish salad (Musaengchae). Perfect as a side dish or a palate cleanser.
Main Ingredients
- 700g Green Papaya
Seasoning
- 4 Tbsp Coarse Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp Salt
- 2.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 6 Tbsp Vinegar
- 2.5 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 4 Tbsp Coarse Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp Salt
- 2.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 6 Tbsp Vinegar
- 2.5 Tbsp Fish Sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, carefully peel the skin off the green papaya. You can use a peeler like you would for potatoes, or a knife to carefully shave off the outer layer.
Step 2
Once peeled, cut the green papaya in half lengthwise. Then, use a spoon to scrape out and discard the soft, black seeds from the center. Removing the seeds ensures a pleasant, crisp texture.
Step 3
Now, julienne the seeded green papaya into thin strips, aiming for a thickness of about 2-3mm. For easier and more uniform cutting, a mandoline slicer or the julienne attachment on a food processor can be very helpful.
Step 4
Place all the julienned green papaya into a large mixing bowl.
Step 5
Add the coarse gochugaru, salt, and sugar to the papaya in the bowl. Gently mix everything with your hands, coating the papaya well. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. This resting period helps to draw out some moisture from the papaya, allowing it to soften slightly and begin absorbing the flavors.
Step 6
After 10 minutes, you can lightly drain off any excess liquid that has accumulated. Then, add the minced garlic, vinegar, and fish sauce. Mix everything thoroughly again until the papaya is evenly coated with all the seasonings. Your delicious Green Papaya Salad is ready! It’s great to eat immediately, but for an even crisper and more refreshing taste, chill it in the refrigerator before serving.
