Although this is not my first time having papaya salad in Laos, this is the first time I get an education on how it is made.

At the night market in Luang Prabang, I chose peppers from a trusting local that tells me they are not too hot. From my earlier sampling of papaya salad, I know it is traditionally made spicy hot. While I like my food with a kick, I don't want to set off a 5 Alarm fire on top of my head.

Using some shrimp sauce, eggplant, tomatoes, lime juice and other "secret" ingredients that are ground up in a ceramic bowl, I watch as this wonderful salad comes together.

For about US$1.50, it is a nice and delicious treat.

Video:http://youtu.be/JEwDUYQiagE

Looks yummy....

nice video.

kmkrnn,

Yes, it was

Have to be careful of the peppers and I am told you might not want to know what's in the secret ingredients. I believe some type of fish parts.

Lincasanova,

Thanks

The "secret" ingredients would have been padaek. This is fermented fish sauce. You can get cooked sauce or raw. It is best to avoid the latter because of the parasites.

Vientianeboy,

Thanks for filling in the missing pieces from my wonderful experience in Laos.

Is there a significant taste difference in the salad from using the cooked sauce compared to raw? I thought the flavor and texture of the salad was great especially the one I had that was topped with peanuts.