The Overview





The pungent flavors of Northern Thai cuisine are rolling into the country's capital with the opening of Somtum Der. Owner Thanaruek Laoraowirodge, known to his friends has Eh, is on a mission to share the authentic local cuisine from his homwtown of Sakhon Nakorn in Isaan, with Bangkok'a many city-dwellers. "I want to bring the real taste of som tam from my region," he explains.

Eh argues that the som tam, a traditiional Thai green papaya salad, in Bangkok is too sweet, and is lacking in the key ingredient for success—plaa ra, a fermented fish sauce made by pickling a variety of fish. "The further South you get, the sweeter the som tam tastes," laments Eh.

There are 20 different kinds of som tam on offer at Somtum Der, prepared fresh at the bar in the center of the small restaurant. The bartender pounds the ingredients in a traditional Thai mortar and the bar is lined in jars brimming with aromatic ingredients, from marinated mussels to fresh chilies. So whether you like your som tam fishy, tart, sweet, super spicy or some mix therein, at Somtum Der there's a som tam for everyone.

Address:
5/5 Saladaeng Rd.,
Silom, Bangkok, Thailand

Telephone: +66 2 632 4499