Kru Vee . October 3, 2025, 2:51 PM
If there’s one dish that represents the heart and soul of Thailand, it’s somtum—the famous spicy papaya salad. Fresh, crunchy, tangy, and a little fiery, it’s a dish that brings people together around the table. And that’s exactly the spirit we wanted to capture in our latest Somtum Workshop, held with special thanks to our venue sponsor, Tao Kae Nong✨
Instead of just sitting in class and memorizing vocabulary, our students had the chance to learn Thai through food, culture, and hands-on fun. Guided by an experienced Thai chef, everyone rolled up their sleeves and learned how to prepare authentic somtum step by step: from shredding the papaya to balancing that perfect mix of lime, chili, and fish sauce.
To make the experience even richer, we explored three different versions of somtum:
Along the way, students picked up practical Thai new vocabularies they can use when preparing somtum or chatting with Thai friends:
| มะละกอ (má-lá-gor) | papaya |
| garlic | |
| tomato | |
| long beans | |
| พริก (prík) | chili |
| มะนาว (má-naao) | lime |
| น้ำตาลปี๊บ (náam-dtaan bpêep) | palm sugar |
| ถั่วลิสง (tùua-lí-sŏng) | peanut |
| กุ้งแห้ง (gûng hàeng) | dried shrimp |
| น้ำปลา (náam-bplaa) | fish sauce |
| แครอท (khae-ròt) | carrot |
| ข้าวโพดหวาน (khâao-phôht wăan) | sweet corn |
It wasn’t just about recipes, it was about feeling Thai language come alive through taste, sound, and experience.
Of course, the highlight didn’t stop at papaya salad. After the workshop, we gathered around the table to enjoy mookata. This was more than just a meal but it was a chance for students to connect face-to-face. Many of us had only seen each other online before, but now we could finally share food, laughter, and conversations in person.
The sizzling mookata, the spicy somtum, and the warm chatter made the evening feel like a little piece of Thailand right here.
Learning a language should be more than words in a textbook, it should feel alive. By combining cooking, Thai phrases, and shared meals, this workshop reminded us that Thai is not just something to study, it’s something to live.
Every phrase has a story, every dish has a memory, and every gathering builds a stronger community.
We’re already looking forward to our next cultural workshop. Who knows? Maybe another iconic Thai dish will be on the menu.
👉 Want to relive the fun moments from this workshop? Check out our IG Reels here.
🥢 Want to have mookata yourself?
Check out Tao Kae Nong, where our workshop was held!
📍 666, Jalan Pendamar, Pandamaran Pelabuhan klang, 42000 Klang, Selangor
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qnFrsXqeUXDqoFKE6
Trust us — it’s the perfect spot for tasty mookata, friendly vibes, and that authentic Thai feeling!
