Tum mak hoong, in a way. To anyone not from SEA, it can be quite off putting. Being formerly married to a Laotian woman, I got used to the smells pretty quick. Now all of that fermented stuff smells good to me.

Some of the ingredients, on their own, have very powerful aromas. Fish sauce is the one people would know off hand. Also used is shrimp paste and crab paste, which are very pungent.

However, when combined with the rest of the ingredients, it creates this awesome papaya salad. Depending upon how many peppers you put in, the heat level can be insane.

My then-MIL originally taught me to make it with fish sauce, crab paste, and shrimp paste. Another family member taught me to make it with Padaek, which is an ingredient that you store in a bag, in a bag. It is some gnarly stuff, with chunks of fermented fish mixed in it, so you know it’s good. Kidding aside, it provides some truly amazing flavors. But dear lord, it is pretty rank.

Highly recommend trying Tum Mak Hoong! Laotian food is so good. When you order the papaya salad, make sure you order Laap to go with it.