THAI POMELO SALAD RECIPE (YAM SOM-O)

Yam-Som O or Thai pomelo salad is one of the most famous and popular Thai dishes. This salad dish uses pomelo, a tropical fruit within the citrus family native to the area of South and South-East Asia. Pomelo, pronounced as pum-mel-oh, has a taste which can be described as a blend of flavours between the sourness of grapefruit and the sweetness of oranges and is loved by many. This fruit, however, doesn’t stop at having a great taste, it also hosts a range of health benefits. Much like many other citrus fruits, pomelo provides a high source of vitamin C and also contains nutrients and antioxidants which support digestion and help reduce cholesterol levels. Which overall, makes it a great fruit to add to a range of diets.

In a traditional Yam-Som O recipe, the pomelo is combined with a variety of traditional Thai ingredients such as Thai birds eye chilli, shrimp, fish sauce, tamarind juice or puree and coconut milk to make a deliciously refreshing and light salad. While in western culture Yam-Som O is served as an appetiser in restaurants and food settings, people in Thailand typically enjoy the salad as a hearty snack and often consume it using betel leaves (bai cha plu) as an eating spoon.

This Thai pomelo salad recipe is very easy to make and doesn’t require any specialty tools such as spice grinders or a pestle and mortar. With the ingredients consisting mainly of the pomelo fruit, meat, fish, herbs, spices and the use of coconut milk, this recipe is also gluten free and dairy free without losing any of the authentic Thai flavours so many people love.