Vietnamese papaya salad: Top 4 BEST recipes to please your palate

Papayas hold a special place in Vietnam, especially in the form of papaya salads, known as “goi du du” or “nom du du”. The Vietnamese papaya salad is cherished by locals and is a must-try for tourists on their Vietnam travel journey. With accessible ingredients and simple steps, you can opt to prepare your own green papaya salad at home. 

1. What is Vietnamese papaya salad made of? How does it taste?

Like many plant-based Vietnamese foods, the main ingredient of Vietnamese papaya salad is papayas, usually green or unripe. This fruit is shredded into smaller slices, then combined with other vegetables like carrots and cucumbers and fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, and basil. 

Peanuts or roasted cashews are also added to bring a little crunch to the salad, while the dressing, usually made with lime juice or vinegar, contributes a zesty and tangy kick. To enhance both flavor and protein content, some recipes also add some shrimp or meat.

Using green papayas not only creates a crisp base but also brings a very neutral flavor to the dish, which harmonizes the different flavors of the papaya itself and other ingredients. Sweet, sour, and spicy are all expertly balanced in the dish of Vietnamese papaya salad.

2. Vietnamese papaya salad vs Thai: What’s the difference?

Papaya salads are popular throughout Southeast Asia, with many versions varying from country to country. Thai papaya salad, or Som Tum, is one of its famous renditions. While both Thai and Vietnamese papaya salads share similarities in ingredients, their tastes are distinctly shaped by their special dressings. 

Vietnamese papaya salad has a sweet and sour taste to it. On the other hand, the Thai version impresses your taste buds with the bold and spicy flavors of tamarind paste and chili peppers.

>>> Explore: Vietnamese salad dressing: The 5+ best recipes to elevate your dish

3. The 4 best Vietnamese green papaya salad recipes

3.1. Vietnamese papaya salad with beef jerky

Papaya salad with beef jerky is a great combination of flavors created in one of the most popular Vietnamese street foods, Vietnamese papaya salad with beef jerky. The inclusion of beef jerky infuses the salad with a protein-rich component, enhancing its overall satisfaction and nutritional value.

To craft a bowl of Vietnamese papaya salad with beef jerky, you need to gather the following ingredients: green papaya, beef jerky, carrot, peanuts, onions, chili peppers, lemons, lettuce, basil, fish sauce, and sugar.

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Peel and wash papaya and carrots. Then use a julienne peeler to create fine slices. Let the shredded papaya and carrots sit in ice water for about 10 minutes.
  • Peel and slice the shallots and purple onions.
  • Select clean, undamaged herb leaves, wash, and chop them finely.
  • Slice the lime into rounds and extract its juice. Remove the stems and seeds from the chili peppers, then julienne them.
• Step 2: Make the fish sauce dressing
  • In a bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of fish sauce. Adjust the taste to your liking.
• Step 3: Roast the peanuts and shallots
  • Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the peanuts and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir constantly on the stovetop for about 3-5 minutes until the peanuts turn golden and fragrant. Remove them from the heat, let them cool, and then remove the skin.
  • Heat the pan over medium heat again, and add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to sauté the sliced shallots.
• Step 4: Assemble the green papaya salad
  • Combine the prepared papaya, shredded beef jerky, carrots, herbs, shallots, peanuts, and chili peppers in a large mixing bowl.
  • Pour the fish sauce dressing over these ingredients and gently toss everything together until thoroughly incorporated.

Now you can relish your own green papaya salad with beef jerky and indulge in its fusion of textures and flavors!

3.2. Vietnamese prawn and papaya salad

Vietnamese papaya salad is also commonly eaten with prawns and pork. The magic of the dish is formed by the refreshing shredded papaya combined with succulent shrimp and tender meat. 

Aside from the common main ingredients such as carrots, peanuts, onion, chili peppers, lime, lettuce, and basil, the papaya salad with prawn and pork also calls for an addition of prawn, meat, and cilantro.

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Add the juice of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and a few ice cubes to a water basin. Peel the green papaya and shred it directly into the prepared cold water.
  • Julienne the carrots and toss them with 1/2 tablespoon of sugar. Thinly slice the onion and soak it in a mixture of vinegar and 1/2 tablespoon of sugar.
  • Rinse and chop the cilantro and basil.
  • Wash the pork and boil it in water. Add a splash of vinegar and 1/2 tablespoon of sugar to the pot. Once cooked, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool before thinly slicing.
  • In the same boiling water, bring it back to a boil, add the prawns, cook until done, then remove, soak in ice water, peel, and halve.
• Step 2: Assemble the salad
  • Create a dipping sauce by combining 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, the juice of 1 lime, and minced garlic.
  • Pour the dipping sauce over the cooked pork and prawns. Then add the green papaya, carrots, and onions.
  • Finally, garnish with crushed roasted peanuts, chopped cilantro, and fried shallots. Your green papaya salad with pork and prawns is now ready to be savored.

>>> Check out: Vietnamese beef salad: 6 easy recipes for a bowl full of goodness

3.3. Vietnamese papaya salad with pork ear

Vietnamese papaya salad with pork ears may be quite unfamiliar to foreign tourists, but it is a delightful combination worth trying. 

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Peel the green papaya and let it soak in water for about 15 minutes. Drain and deseed the papaya, then julienne it into fine strips.
  • Rinse the carrots and julienne them.
  • Place the julienned papaya and carrots in a bowl, adding 1 teaspoon of salt. Gently squeeze them to eliminate excess moisture and enhance their crispiness.
  • Mince the garlic and chili peppers.
• Step 2: Prepare the pork ears
  • Wash the pork ears with salt and a few drops of lime juice to eliminate any unwanted odor. Then, boil the pork ears with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder. Add a splash of vinegar to maintain their crisp and white texture. Once cooked, remove them and soak in ice water before slicing them thinly.
• Step 3: Prepare the fish sauce dressing
  • Add 3 teaspoons of fish sauce, 3 teaspoons of sugar, the juice from 2 limes, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1 small cup of water, minced chili peppers, and minced garlic to a bowl and mix well.
• Step 4: Assemble the salad
  • Take a deep bowl and mix all the ingredients together. 
  • Transfer the green papaya salad with shrimp and pork ears onto a serving plate. Garnish it with chili slices, sprigs of cilantro, and a sprinkle of roasted peanuts. And finally, your dish is now ready to be enjoyed!

3.4. Vegetarian recipe for Vietnamese green papaya salad

Opting for a completely plant-based recipe is an excellent choice, particularly for vegans and those following a plant-based diet. This vegetarian green papaya salad offers a harmonious fusion of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors, appealing to a wide range of palates.

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients 
  • Soak the papaya in water for 15 minutes. Afterward, peel and rinse the papaya and remove the seeds. 
  • Julienne the papaya into thin strips. Similarly, peel and wash the carrots before julienning them. 
  • Combine the julienned papaya and carrots in a bowl, adding 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Let them sit for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors, then gently squeeze to remove excess moisture.
• Step 2: Mix the ingredients
  • Boil some water and briefly blanch the papaya and carrots, then drain them. 
  • Place the papaya and carrots in a large bowl, add half a teaspoon of vinegar and salt, and mix well. Let them rest for 15 minutes to allow the papaya and carrots to absorb the seasonings, then squeeze to remove excess moisture.
• Step 3: Prepare the dressing
  • In a small bowl, combine minced chili, 2 teaspoons of lime juice, 2 teaspoons of water, and 2 teaspoons of vegan fish sauce. Stir well.
• Step 4: Assemble the salad
  • Combine the dressing with the papaya and carrots. Use your hands to ensure the salad is evenly coated with the flavors.
  • Get your salad on a serving plate and sprinkle with roasted peanuts for extra crunch and nuttiness. You can also garnish with fresh herbs for an even more appealing presentation, and now your vegan papaya salad is done.

>>> Read more: Vietnamese chicken salad: A delight with a perfect blend of freshness

4. Where to savor green papaya salad in Vietnam?

While the capital city, Hanoi in the North, is renowned for the green papaya salad with dried beef, the Southern city, Ho Chi Minh City, is famous for the Thai-style salad. 

Vietnamese papaya salad, with its various regional variations, exemplifies the diverse culinary delights awaiting you when embarking on a Vietnamese food travel journey. Below is a curated list of notable restaurants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for you to explore.

• In Hanoi:
  • Nom Long Vi Dung: Kiosk 5 Hang Giay Street, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District
  • Nom Hai Sinh: No. 57 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District
  • Nom Co Van: No. 16B Duong Thanh Street, Cua Dong Ward, Hoan Kiem District
  • Nom Hoa Mai: No. 111A5 Thanh Cong Food Court, Thanh Cong Ward, Ba Dinh District
  • Nom Ong Phuc: Lane 1 Nghia Tan Street, Nghia Tan Ward, Cau Giay District
• In Ho Chi Minh City:
  • Goi Ty Thy: No. 546 An Duong Vuong Street, Ward 10, District 6
  • Somtam Lam: No. 353 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 5, District 10
  • Somtam ZAAP: No. 136 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 | No. 70 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ward 6, District 3
  • Goi Thai Lan Hi: No. 242 Pham Van Dong Street, Ward 1, Go Vap District
  • Goi Trang Thi Pe Don: No. 307 Doan Van Bo Street, Ward 13, District 4

Vietnam’s culinary landscape is a tapestry of flavors and specialties that vary from one region to another and even from province to province. To truly immerse yourself in this country’s gastronomic wonders, it is essential to explore each area individually. And four highly alluring tourist destinations that should be on your list are definitely Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc.

As you journey through these locales, don’t miss the chance to experience the enchanting VinWonders recreational complexes, scattered across prime locations including VinWonders Hanoi, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, VinWonders Phu Quoc. VinWonders offers an unforgettable adventure for every traveler, featuring thrilling roller coasters, exhilarating water slides, captivating underwater exhibits, and colorful cultural shows.

>>> Book tickets of VinWonders Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Nam Hoi An, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, and VinWonders Hanoi to elevate your journey in Vietnam!

Despite being a popular street food in Vietnam, crafting Vietnamese papaya salad is far from complicated. Whether you are a vegetarian seeking a refreshing appetizer or a meat lover craving a hearty and satisfying dish, Vietnamese papaya salads offer endless possibilities for culinary experiences. Gather your ingredients, immerse yourself in the flavors of Vietnam, and relish the delightful journey of crafting and savoring these exquisite salads!