Polydish city guide

Best Som Tum Isan in New York

“Green papaya pounded with fermented fish sauce. The Isan version doesn't ask permission.”

Som Tum Isan

What the real thing tastes like

The northeastern original uses pla ra — fermented fish sauce with actual body to it — where the Bangkok version politely substitutes clear fish sauce. Pounded in a clay mortar with green papaya, tomatoes, snake beans, palm sugar, lime, and a frankly confrontational number of bird's eye chillies. Eaten with sticky rice as insulation.

887 voices, one story

Reviews read like endurance reports with affection — the pla ra funk and chilli count separate tourists from converts in one bite. Those who cross over describe every other papaya salad as decaf afterwards.

Order it here when it has

  • crunch and fire
  • funk that rewards
  • sticky rice pairing
  • unapologetic

Walk away when you see

  • ferocious spice
  • pla ra divides opinion

Restaurant-level rankings for New York land as the Polydish review engine processes this city's reviews. Explore the dish itself while you wait —

Som Tum Isan on Polydish →