India, Sept. 15 -- When the sourness makes you squint and the spice makes you cry, you've met som tam. A beloved street food dish that hails from the northeast of the country, som tam is a must-eat whether you're a visitor or a local. Best paired with a selection of other Isan dishes and some good company, here's our pick of the best som tam spots in Bangkok.

What is som tam? While many describe this beloved dish as a papaya salad, it is far-flung from your regular fruit salad. While its origins remain unclear, in Laos and in Thailand's northeastern region of Isan, the words 'tam som' refer to "pounding or crushing something sour as a main ingredient," according to the Michelin Guide.

In Thailand today, som tam is prepared using shredde...