The Bangkok Queen of Papaya Salad

In this episode of Street Food Icons we visit Jay So in Bangkok, Thailand. Here, the star of the menu is the incredible, authentic papaya salad.
Jay So, the chef and owner, is dedicated to using the freshest and finest ingredients to create her famous papaya salad. She takes pride in the effort she puts into ensuring each dish is consistent in both flavor and quality.
Join us as we go behind the scenes at Jay So's restaurant and see the process of making her signature papaya salad. From selecting the perfect ingredients to mixing the perfect blend of tangy sauces and spices.
If you're a fan of bold flavors and spicy food, Jay So's papaya salad is an absolute must.
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[@KittiChan1]

Papaya salad is hands down the best kind of salad. None of western type of salads comes even close in term of taste and complexity. I would be happy just eating this for the rest of my life

[@when_life_gives_you_limes]

It's delicious but very spicy tho.

[@KittiChan1]

@@when_life_gives_you_limes You can always tell them to make it less spicy. My Stepdad can barely handle the bare minimum but he still loves it nonetheless.

[@when_life_gives_you_limes]

@@KittiChan1 Thai people's bare minimum is still rather spicy. 😆

[@CKNaamping]

And it’s actually lots of Thais having this dish almost everyday specially my friends ☺️

[@Kneemuh]

You don’t like lettuce and tomato slathered in ranch?

[@cloudyskye06]

There's something about the making of papaya salad that I just love. Each person has their own twist and they make it look so effortless.

[@pinkclouddust7983]

I love anyone who knows how to cut a papaya julienne with a cleaver

[@PieMK6R]

My mother adds carrots julienne for extra crunch

[@andio310]

I went here in Dec 2023, it was the best papaya salad ive ever had. Chicken wings were really yummy as well. They have a sauce that is reminiscent of a mexican salsa that i ate with the chicken wings and on plain sticky rice. The restaurant was indeed all DIY and very busy. Youre expected to get your own sticky rice, drinks, and condiments. There is a english menu but you have to ask for it. Jay So was constantly making salads and her husband was manning the grill. The smoke of the grill filled the restaurant. It was definitely an experience!

[@clevsy]

The sauce was dark red in color and is smoky with the taste of pepper and fresh herbs, right? I loveeeee my grilled chicken with it.

[@kayejaye9841]

How did you find it? The restaurant? How did you find your way there?

[@andio310]

@@kayejaye9841 Google maps

[@familyplan2677]

I went last year with my gf with very little Thai. Ordered the papaya salad and corn dish with the chicken wings. Easily the best dishes I’ve had during my trip! The staff was nice too despite no English on the menu. I have been thinking about the papaya salad since I left 😂. Can’t wait to go back

[@oleung330]

What a pleasant surprise to see Jay So featured on Munchies! I've tried to make it a habit of eating there everytime I visit Bangkok. The folks here are always so welcoming of tourists; even during the hectic office lunch hours! On my way out, Jay So always seems happy to ask about my meal/answer questions I have about how they prepare certain dishes 😁. My larb and moo yang are far off the mark... but I'll get the flavour nailed down... one day... hopefully 😂😂

[@tookitogo]

Does she speak enough English to communicate with tourists?

[@oleung330]

@@tookitogo Yeah, but if its during peak hours she might be a bit busy preparing food to bother. There is also a younger employee that handles customers that speaks English too. Worst case, have some photos of their dishes that you want to try, or just point to the things you see haha. They're well aware that tourists know of them, since Mark Wiens has mentioned them a lot, so don't be deterred! If you want to avoid the more chaotic times, plan to go either before or just after office lunch hours.

[@tookitogo]

@@oleung330 Thanks! I’ll try to make a note for whenever I manage to make it back to Thailand! (Which can’t come soon enough, I loved my first visit!)

[@hemanthkumar6951]

"Like a woman who hasn't put any make up on, but then she puts on lipstick and looks beautiful "... Some of us really know how to describe food!! She loves what she does

[@TheOnlimeeh]

Can’t wait to go to Thailand 🇹🇭 and try her papaya salad 🤤

[@tDucIaL]

I can feel the passion of Jay So. I must definitely go there!

[@domingopartida5812]

I started eating it after trying Vietnamese style but really, you can make it any way, and as a diabetic, I love that I can eat a huge portion and won’t raise my blood sugar like when I eat pasta and will feel full for a long time.

[@hedykarim3614]

What is the dark liquid before cutting the tomatoes ?

[@guitarrerist698]

​@@hedykarim3614 Fish sauce but aged older do the flavor is more intense

[@Ninjacupid]

@@hedykarim3614 It's a liquid formed from aged and fermented raw fish that is kept in containers for months. My grandmother always made her own and I remember being a kid and seeing fish parts floating around in large jars full of dark juice. The Greeks used to make this as well back in the old days and they would bury theirs in a clay pot underground and leave it there for months as well. It's a very interesting cooking technique from both cultures.

[@antonc81]

This place is amazing. Try to visit Jay So every time I’m in Bangkok.

[@lewisc9959]

We have many Hmong and Southeast Asians in central California, I’ve eaten papaya salad many times! Good stuff! Love most of their food.

[@ajisenramen888]

Fermented fish sauce has a very high level of amino acids not wonder it tastes “meaty” as she says. One of the healthiest salads and most delicious too!❤

[@amornphukhan9254]

I very appreciate this EP., this is the real local street food of Thai food, I wanna you guys to try a good taste food Thailand experience.

[@jonahgoldstein5811]

Damn, I’ve been going to this place for years. I hope it’s not ridiculously busy now that you’ve featured them. Love this place though! Super delicious food

[@Garpot]

I feel ya! Very office worker dining at lunch from the Banks..etc. :(

[@coyharlingen]

ขอบคุณที่สอนนะคะ น้ำลายไหลล น่ากินมากๆ ส้มตำเจ๊โส

[@prissyarah]

miss bangkok :( hope i can visit again and try her papaya salad

[@ginatslasvegasfoodandtrave4187]

you are a lovely, charming couple. I’ve been following you for a while now and I enjoy all your videos. the filipinos love you just as much as you love them 💕

[@blablabla2616]

What a inspireing lady the fact she has kept her passion of good food searved simply with love and integrity for her community over expansion and more money . She knows what real wealth is .

[@peterdfarr]

I like her attitude, outlook on life, and genuine care of/for her customers. We would be friends :)

[@Porscheman1]

An amazing woman that makes a life out of what she is given, without complaining! Her outlook is heart-warming.

[@NaeneWarinthornT]

Definitely going there this summer for sure❤

[@bonamy25]

The padek, fermented fish, is the key to great papaya. I like mine with more tamarind and no crab paste. Sweet, sour and spicy. (Not too spicy). Best ❤

[@guytiips3906]

So many many "Queen of Papaya Salad" in Thailand because yummy food is unique skill.

[@koda2387]

Such a nice woman. Her words at the end really struck me.

[@joeee60]

the best salad!!!!

[@jacqueshebert6445]

she seems so much cooler than like 90% of michelin starred chefs

[@saket.speaks]

Som Tam one of the most favourite dish ...

[@user-cw8zy1pv3l]

เก่งที่สุดเลยครับ โกอินเตอร์

[@Yai1950]

Thank you 😋👍👍

[@jeffrey-f]

everyone had difference preference on papaya salad so it’s hard to pick one with so many variations

[@Lucysmom26]

Hell, even the som tam I make in my Canadian kitchen (with, let's put this nicely, not the greatest or highest quality ingredients) is mind blowingly delicious. I would probably faint from happiness if I ever tasted this woman's version.

[@Kakkorotto27]

My family and I eat this dish once a week. I like it extra spicy 😂🤣

[@BLVCKSEA]

Thom mak hung! My fav. Or som tum.been eating it since I was a little kid.

[@kev4850]

When you see interviews with thai people/chefs and they're asked "what separates Lao and Thai papaya salad?" they ALWAYS ALWAYS say we don't use padaek (unfiltered fish sauce) but here you see that Lao style papaya is POPPIN in Thailand! For a long time thai people looked down on Lao people for eating padaek

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

Central Thai’s to be exact Isan (Northeast Thailand / Lanna (Northern Thailand) Uses Fermented fish sauce in their Papaya Salad. Basically those two area has a lot of ethnic Lao people.

[@aa-ij5gm]

@@HOTPLATEGAMING cause that part of thailand once was Laos. Laos land, lao people, lao food.

[@souk4507]

One of my favorite dish , especially with chicken.

[@zardozmyrh7789]

I love Thai food

[@lieblee3063]

I really miss street food in Thailand. All you need is money….. food stands everywhere 👍😍💯

[@eddvanzanten1255]

Great woman with great food !

[@bigbird2451]

I miss papaya salad. it's so expensive at our local Thai place. But so good.

[@semzip8558]

Please don’t take Som Tum on the plane people 😂

[@armuk]

bcuz of the chillies?

[@semzip8558]

@@armuk it’s basically fermented crab/fish flavored and smells super strong (but tastes amazing)

[@AurmazlZudeh]

@@semzip8558 and raw garlic

[@armuk]

sweet lady and food looks delicious. would defo visit if i'm ever in the area

[@xinderellalee]

I want papaya salad now

[@Mybananaslug]

น่ารักมากคิดถึงเมืองไทย

[@SenyoreLovel]

guess need to go back again to bkk to check this stall!

[@byronmillanicia3384]

We eat green papaya in El Salvador, we. Pickle them before eating!!! Very tasty!!!

[@Muay-MMA]

Som tum is so good. Its a Thai diah that many Laos people also love it. Thanks to Laos people, they always come buy Thai ingredients to cook their Laos dishes. Pro tip, 99% of Laos dishes are some poorer versions of Thai dishes 😅😂

[@leelthelful]

When I lived in Stockton thee used to he this park and so many vendors were there selling tasty asain food

[@_.-._.-._.-_.-._.-._.-_.-._.-]

💚💛one of my favourite dish is the salted egg papaya salad 🥗 I love Thai food ☝️💙💕

[@boomlowjun5113]

As a Thai student studying abroad this really makes me miss home

[@natmonkey03]

what's up boom

[@ekkekk-sk6xq]

homesick

[@joyous8248]

I can eat that everyday !!! Lao .. or Thai papaya salad .. lol as long as there is sticky rice & it’s Spicy 🌶️ 😊

[@fz09time78]

My favorite thing to eat in this world

[@ButtaButta90]

I’m literally 🤤🤤🤤

[@philipthao8527]

i wonder how she got the name because i was there in Thailand this past winter. and there are plenty of food stalls that sell papaya salad and grill/fried chicien. I went to Polo chicken and it taste just like something you can get a different street vendor. I will have to go back and give this place a try. Papaya salad is a hit or miss in Thailand.

[@KeepCalmAndTravelOn]

Tastes best with grilled chicken, sticky rice and a Leo beer. Preferably somewhere with a seaview...damn, I miss Thailand 🥲

[@baronknox2309]

บางคนไม่ต้องมาบลัฟอาหารไทยกับต่างชาติก็ได้มั้ง อาหารคือวัฒนธรรมแต่ละประเทศเขามีเอกลักษณ์เป็นของตัวเอง จะมาบลัฟอาหารไทยดีที่สุดเพื่อ

[@DeanMonio]

My fav thai dish 😋

[@lonely8oistory]

Real Thai local street food confirm

[@saxmanphd]

for the american returning home, how do you get liquids for the carry on?

[@iROChakri]

This is one of the best salads in the world, maybe in top 3 easily. Thai food is the only food that arrived in the states and other places around the world before Thai immigrants lol

[@vimalrajkappil]

Where is this in Bangkok..how to get there??

[@user-to4ke3df3v]

It would be great to visit that place. Could you please share location of the restaurant?

[@chazeljoaquin1387]

What's the address of her street food resto?

[@thedeeprot]

🔥🔥🔥

[@nicolesmith1284]

I usually see crab paste…I want to try her version

[@ninaddful]

กรุณาเปลี่ยนการชิมโดยเอาทัพพีตักเทใส่ช้อนค่ะ จิ้มแบบนั้นน้ำลายคุณลงไปทุกครกค่ะ

[@somsaksompong689]

ค่ะ

[@anothertarnishedone5960]

Cool lady

[@gumbyfungyy3799]

this has that a big story vibe to it. I love it!

[@seraphimsforge-master5433]

Thailand's on the up ...

[@jetnipatteeravithayapinyo2468]

Up in country debt and corruptions. Our police force ran a fuckin online soccer betting sites!

[@bp83330]

Som tam Jay So, my favourite restaurant in Bkk. Glad I am visiting again in March, yum! Can’t wait!

[@louishoey]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@thecook8964]

Crave som tam, so I bought the Thai mirte & pestle & make my own.

[@shanicestella2226]

Even I Discovered One Song from a Thai DJ called Lady Papaya

[@washingtonstatedon]

❤️❤️

[@penzo1110]

Lol imagine that dude bringing out his som tum with bla ra w/ pickled crabs out on the plane back to the states 😂 😂

[@SreyleakSy]

❤

[@pang-ngiavang1956]

Love the white guy ordering tons of papaya salad to eat on the plane🤣🤣🤣

[@wk3960]

😍😍😍😋😋😋🤤🤤🤤

[@a902l9]

Isaan is 90% lao ppl. Lao ppl created papaya salad. Thai ppl took the concept & dropped the padaek for fish sauce. They added peanuts too.

[@user-kp7oi2ph7z]

คนลาวกินส้มต้มทั่วทุกภาคเหมือนคนไทยไหมครับ

[@iROChakri]

None of Thai people in Issan call themselves Laos or Laotian and no, Papaya salad is a Thai dish and created in Thailand lol

[@huggledemon32]

I love papaya salad- but random question- Dow anyone know how/if you eat the crabs?!- they’re so small, and still have shells on- do you eat them whole, or do you pick them up and pull out the meat?- or are they just a seasoning and not meant to be eaten?

[@angelaphan3346]

You don’t eat it, it’s just there for flavoring the sauce

[@kohlipethaifood357]

Sum Tam with 2 chillies best and delicious for me . 555

[@vilmanavarro9843]

👍👍👍👍🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@samorenpalmer]

Ok

[@yichen4398]

I really like it 🌶 spicy !!!!! U r tooomuchhhh chicken meat that’s alll I can say aftermaths????!!’nnnn

[@timothyzundt2946]

Are those stuffed chicken wings 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@ivetter.2443]

I love this salad, but without the fermented fish sauce 😅

[@main2333]

Is that green seed sunflower?

[@rigobertomosqueraherrera8914]

Delicioso

[@Name.is2]

I would love to try this place, I hear so much about it.

[@u4412987]

Eventually the chicken wings already sold out not long after the restaurant opened.

[@maximilllllien]

What s her address please ?

[@dropelaves]

Papaya's Salad place owner: "It's Special!" Also Papaya's Salad place owner: "It's OK."

[@PauloLetsGo]

Whoa. Where’s the salted fish?!

[@rayr5853]

"Some days our tongues aren't the same". Or "I come here often, 10 or so years" Right off the bat you're translating wrong. Edit: oof so many translation errors. also never heard of this joint, none of my family eats here, how is it the queen?

[@chansoudalengsavath2391]

Come to try lao papaya salad in laos 🇱🇦

[@thebign8886]

I will be going there when im over next month. Tom Sum is my favourite dish

[@rebellion6331]

it's Som Tum

[@yomuthabyotch]

aren't those pumpkin seeds--pepitas?

[@blountout6285]

bring on plane people get mad 😄

[@yuvanutkeobounnam6157]

When I was kids, lunch time my mom told me go buy a papaya salad, I was so tired, I don’t know why I was so tired, I wanna eat papaya salad, I didn’t tell her I was tired, I said yes , I was very tired I can’t walk I have to stop and sit down on the street, my eyes 👀 can’t see anything all was black 5 minutes, I cry out , no one see me , later the black was gone, I keep walking 🚶‍♂️ to the papaya salad store, came home 🏡 no tired, more energy after finishing eating more energy, weird ???

[@killercaos123]

Thai food is the best

[@Duckofstalker]

Schysst sativa bruning skylla jag vilja ha 😂

[@wire3989]

hey close caption team. you dont need to translate every single dish into English terms, all of them has names and and that should be the priority if you want to represent the foods. I never once saw a taco, burrito, kebab and shawarma call meat wrap in flat bread.