Kerabu Mangga (Malaysian Green Mango Salad)

About This Recipe

Kerabu mangga makes use of unripe, sour green mango, its tartness playing perfectly against a dressing of lime, palm sugar and fish sauce, creating the balanced sweet-sour-salty-spicy profile Malaysian kerabu salads are known for. Toasted dried shrimp and crispy fried shallots scattered throughout add savory depth and crunch, while fresh chile provides real heat that's balanced rather than overwhelmed by the mango's tang. A refreshing side dish found across Malaysian tables, kerabu mangga's bright, punchy flavors make it an excellent counterpoint to richer, heavier dishes like rendang or curries served in the same meal.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 2green (unripe) mangoes(peeled and julienned)
• 3 tbspdried shrimp(toasted and ground)
• 2red chiles(thinly sliced)
• 2 tbsplime juice
• 1 tbsppalm sugar or brown sugar
• 1 tbspfish sauce
• 2 tbspfried shallots
• 2 tbspchopped cilantro
• 2 tbsproasted peanuts(crushed)

Instructions

1. 1

   Julienne the mango

   Peel and julienne the green mango into thin, even strips.

2. 2

   Make the dressing

   Whisk lime juice, palm sugar and fish sauce together until the sugar dissolves.

3. 3

   Combine

   Toss the julienned mango with the ground dried shrimp and sliced chiles.

   Use genuinely unripe, firm green mango, not just underripe — its distinct tartness is essential to this salad's balance.

4. 4

   Dress

   Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.

5. 5

   Garnish

   Scatter fried shallots, cilantro and crushed peanuts over the top.

6. 6

   Serve

   Serve immediately as a refreshing side.

Variations

• •

  A version with green papaya instead of mango is equally common and similarly tart.

• •

  Adding toasted coconut flakes gives extra texture and richness.

• •

  A vegetarian version omits the dried shrimp and fish sauce, using soy sauce instead.

Storage

Best eaten fresh; refrigerate leftovers up to 1 day, though the texture softens and the salad becomes more watery over time.

Frequently Asked Questions