I imagine papaya salad to be a balance between tart, spicy, and savory. I could not taste the fish sauce that gives it depth. The tartness had a hint of sweetness to it, made it seem like it was being held back. The heat was not there. Basically this dish was just a bunch of shredded green papaya in lime juice with a few crushed peanuts on top. I think a papaya salad should have a more complex dressing.