Home cooking attempt — Som Tum from scratch

I spent an afternoon making Som Tum from scratch following a traditional recipe. Getting fish sauce right was the main challenge — it's not as straightforward as it looks. The fragrant and herbaceous result was rewarding once I got it right.

fresh herbs and aromatics are added at the last moment to preserve fragrance. I served it with fresh coconut water as the recipe suggested and the pairing made sense. It took longer than I expected but the outcome was genuinely satisfying. Making Som Tum yourself gives you a new appreciation for what goes into it at a restaurant.