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Papaya Salad – A Fresh and Flavorful Vietnamese Classic on Hoi An cooking class!

Alright, let me tell you about the time I tried making Hoi An cooking class style papaya salad (Gỏi đu đủ). It was one of beautiful morning in Hoi An, and I was wandering through the local market when I saw this lady skillfully shredding green papaya with a speed that made my head spin. I knew I had to learn how to make it!

What Makes Hoi An Papaya Salad Special?

Unlike Thai papaya salad (which is super spicy and tangy), Hoi An’s version is a little milder, with a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and umami. The key ingredient? Dried beef (or sometimes shrimp), crushed peanuts, and loads of fresh herbs. And of course, that killer Vietnamese fish sauce dressing.

Ingredients You’ll Need
(Serves 2-3 people)

For the Salad

• 1 medium green papaya (peeled and shredded)
• 100g dried beef (or shrimp, if you prefer)
• 1 small carrot, shredded (optional, for color)
• 1 handful of fresh herbs (Thai basil, cilantro, mint)
• 2 tablespoons crushed peanuts
• 1 tablespoons fried shallots (adds an amazing crunch)

For the Dressing

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice or rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoons sugar
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small chili, finely chopped (optional, if you like some heat)

How to Make It

Prep the Papaya

• If you have a special papaya shredder, use that. If not, just cut the papaya into thin slices, then julienne them into matchstick-sized strips.
• Soak the shredded papaya in ice water for 10 minutes—this makes it extra crunchy! Drain and pat dry.

Make the Dressing

• Mix fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
• Taste and adjust—more lime for sourness, more sugar for sweetness, more fish sauce for umami.

Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, toss the papaya, carrot, dried beef, and herbs.
• Drizzle the dressing over everything and mix well.
• Sprinkle peanuts and fried shallots on top.

Serve and Enjoy!

• Traditionally, this salad is eaten with crispy rice crackers or just on its own.
• Grab a fork (or chopsticks), dig in, and enjoy that perfect crunch!

Why You’ll Love It

• Super fresh & healthy
• No cooking required!
• A perfect balance of flavors – sweet, sour, salty, umami
• Tastes just like the street food in Hoi An!