One of my favorite things to do when I am home alone is to look back through my photos and reminisce. Most people don't know that I lived in Japan for two years, although I constantly find myself repeating that exact line over and over. Those two years in Japan introduced me to amazing and fresh food. During my off time, I was able to travel throughout other Asian countries- China, S. Korea, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. The first time I traveled to Thailand was with a dear friend, George, and seven other gentlemen/bachelors. It was interesting. One of these fellows, Henry, was a lover of spice. Walking through the streets of Kho Phi Phi, we came across a street vendor selling som tum, or green papaya salad. Watching the preparation was enough to amaze...using a type of mortar and pestle, the vendor began by smashing garlic, chilies, dried shrimp, rock sugar, and limes into a sauce. In went shredded green papaya, more chilies- to Henry's request- and finished off with roasted salted peanuts. So delicious. So spicy. Henry could not stop sweating as he ate the fiery salad. It was addictive. Som tum became the fail proof dish to get when walking around, wanting a quick and refreshing snack. The flavors are so unique- salty, sour, spicy, slightly sweet.
I look forward to going back to Thailand (some day) and eating som tum again!
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