Tum Mak Hoong (Keto-Modified)
Lao Green Papaya Salad (Keto-Friendly)
Yes, with a tweak: eSSENTIAL: Request NO added sugar. About 13g net carbs per serving, on the higher side for Lao food, so watch the portion.
What it is
A classic Lao pounded salad. This keto-modified version uses less green papaya and emphasizes other low-carb vegetables like long beans and cabbage, tossed with tomatoes, chilies, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and fermented fish paste (padek). Crucially, it is made without sugar.
Key ingredients
Green papaya (reduced amount), long beans, tomatoes, garlic, chilies, lime juice, fish sauce, fermented fish paste (padek), optional: shrimp, crab, pork rinds, cooking oil.
How to make it keto
ESSENTIAL: Request NO added sugar. Ask for less green papaya and more long beans or shredded cabbage. Omit carrots (if present). Be mindful of tomato quantity. Can ask for extra protein like grilled shrimp.
Say this to the waiter (Lao)
ຕຳຫມາກຫຸ່ງ ຂໍບໍ່ໃສ່ນໍ້າຕານເດັດຂາດ. ຂໍຫມາກຫຸ່ງຫນ້ອຍລົງ, ໃສ່ຫມາກຖົ່ວ ຫຼືກະຫຼໍ່າປີຫຼາຍຂຶ້ນ. ບໍ່ໃສ່ຫມາກແຄຣອດ. ຂໍເພີ່ມກຸ້ງປີ້ງໄດ້ບໍ່?
For Tum Mak Hoong, ABSOLUTELY no added sugar. Less papaya, more long beans or cabbage. Omit carrots. Can I add grilled shrimp?
Watch out for
Significant amount of green papaya (though unripe, still contains carbs), high risk of added sugar, excess tomatoes/carrots. Traditionally served with sticky rice.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
More on the Lao menuAll 161 Lao dishes ›
