Dried beo squid is one of the familiar specialties of Vietnam’s coastal waters, loved by many for its natural sweetness, characteristic aroma, and moderate chewiness. Not only an attractive drinking snack, dried beo squid is also an ingredient for many dishes. Let’s join Ola Squid to learn in detail about dried beo squid, its price, how to prepare, and how to preserve this type of squid in the article below!

1. What is dried beo squid?

Dried beo squid is a type of squid processed from fresh beo squid (also known as porcelain squid, squid, black squid, or beo calamari). After being caught, fresh beo squid is cleaned, the ink sac is removed, and it is dried under natural sunlight for many consecutive hours until the squid body firms up and develops a characteristic light yellow color.

Dried beo squid has a flat body and small size
Dried beo squid has a flat body and small size

Compared to other types of dried squid such as dried calamari or dried bigfin reef squid, dried beo squid has a shorter, slightly flatter, and softer body. When grilled, the squid radiates a passionate aroma and a characteristic sweet aftertaste that makes everyone who has tasted it praise its deliciousness. Therefore, dried beo squid is often used directly as a drinking snack or an ingredient in many delicious dishes for the family such as stir-fried dried squid with tamarind, shredded dried squid, etc.

2. Nutritional content of dried beo squid

Not only attractive due to its characteristic salty taste of the sea, dried beo squid is also a nutrient-rich dish, bringing many health benefits. In 100g of dried beo squid, there is about 315 kcal of energy, along with 60.7g of protein, 8.2g of carbohydrates, 1.1g of fat, and many essential minerals such as calcium (56mg), iron (7.3mg), potassium (610mg), magnesium (150mg), and zinc (3.1mg).

Dried beo squid has a protein content twice as high as fresh beo squid, while also providing more abundant important minerals that help strengthen cardiovascular health, the skeletal system, and muscles. However, because it is sun-dried, fresh beo squid will shrink and have more calories and carbohydrates. Therefore, when using it, you need to adjust the intake reasonably to balance nutrition.

Is dried beo squid good for dieters?

For those who are on a diet or losing weight, dried beo squid is still a good food if used correctly. High protein content and low fat help the body stay full longer, supporting muscle mass maintenance without causing fat accumulation. However, since dried squid often has high salinity due to being salted during drying, dieters or people with high blood pressure and heart disease should limit portions, avoid using it too frequently or eating too much in one meal.

Notes when using dried beo squid

Below are some things you need to keep in mind when using dried beo squid:

  • You should lightly grill or quick-fry before processing to help the squid become softer and more fragrant.
  • Do not soak dried beo squid for too long in water, as this will lose its natural sweetness and reduce nutritional content.
  • Do not eat too much squid at once; an average of 40-50g of dried squid/day is enough for an adult.
  • Children, the elderly, or people with digestive problems should use squid that has been thoroughly cooked and cut into small pieces for easy chewing and absorption.
  • When preserving, you should keep the squid in a dry, cool place or vacuum pack it and store it in the refrigerator to maintain its delicious flavor for a long time.
Do not soak dried beo squid for too long as it will lose its sweetness
Do not soak dried beo squid for too long as it will lose its sweetness

3. How much does dried beo squid cost per kg?

The price of dried beo squid currently on the Vietnamese market fluctuates depending on origin, quality, season, and place of sale. On average, 1kg of dried beo squid ranges in price from about 700,000 to 1,500,000 VND.

This price level shows that the quality of the squid is carefully selected, sun-dried naturally, fully preserving its sweetness and characteristic chewiness. Premium dried squid products, dried for a long time, having uniform color and a natural aroma, usually have higher selling prices.

In addition, the price also depends on whether you buy retail or wholesale, as well as the reputation of the store. When buying dried beo squid, you should consider both quality and origin to ensure a delicious taste, while avoiding poor quality products.

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4. How to choose and preserve quality dried beo squid

Criteria for choosing delicious dried beo squid

To enjoy the characteristic flavor and ensure nutritional quality, when choosing to buy dried beo squid, you should note the following criteria:

  • Natural color: Delicious dried squid usually has a light yellow to slightly brownish color, uniform, not too dark or dull. Avoid buying squid that is too white or shows signs of chemical bleaching.
  • Characteristic aroma: Quality dried squid will have a light fragrance and the natural salty taste of the sea. If you smell something strange or too pungent, it may be that the squid has been poorly preserved or contains preservatives.
  • Firm body, not crushed: When touching the squid, it feels chewy and firm, not crumbly or soft. This is a sign that the squid has been dried correctly and retains its natural flavor.
  • Reasonable moisture: Delicious dried squid is usually slightly dry but still retains a slight softness when soaked in water, not too hard or too mushy.

Reputable address to buy dried beo squid

Buying dried beo squid at reputable addresses will help you feel secure about origin, quality, and food safety. You can refer to some places to buy dried beo squid below:

  • Stores specializing in dried seafood and coastal specialties in coastal provinces such as Quang Ninh, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, etc.
  • Large supermarkets or reputable clean food store chains, where there are clear preservation modes and quality inspections.
  • Reputable online specialty websites that provide origin information, actual product images, transparent return policies, and home delivery.
  • When buying online, you should choose places with good reviews from previous customers and commitments to pure dried squid, no bleaching or impurities.
You should buy dried squid at reputable seafood stores or large supermarkets
You should buy dried squid at reputable seafood stores or large supermarkets

Instructions for long-term preservation of dried beo squid

Dried beo squid is a type of food that easily spoils if not preserved correctly. Some notes to keep the squid for a long time while remaining delicious:

  • Tight packaging: After purchasing, you should put the squid in a plastic bag or an airtight box, avoiding direct contact with air and moisture.
  • Store in a dry, cool place: Squid should be kept at room temperature in a well-ventilated environment. Avoid direct sunlight and damp places.
  • Store in the refrigerator or freezer: If you want to keep it longer, dried squid can be placed in the refrigerator compartment or freezer. Before using, you should soak the squid in clean water to soften it again.
  • Avoid soaking in water for too long before processing: Soaking dried beo squid for too long will cause the squid to lose its natural sweetness and reduce its chewiness.

5. Suggestions for delicious dishes made from dried beo squid

Dried beo squid is not only delicious but also used as an ingredient to create many attractive dishes. Here are some suggestions you should not miss:

  • Crispy fried dried beo squid: After being soaked soft, dried beo squid is coated with a layer of crispy frying flour, then seasoned and fried over medium heat. The finished squid is crunchy, fragrant, and chosen by many as a snack or drinking dish.
Crispy fried dried beo squid
Fragrant crispy fried dried beo squid
  • Stir-fried dried beo squid with lemongrass and chili: Squid is quickly stir-fried with lemongrass, garlic, chili, and basic spices. This dish stands out with the pungent aroma of lemongrass and a light spicy taste, while also retaining the chewy sweetness of the dried squid, suitable for family meals.
Prepare flavorful stir-fried dried beo squid with lemongrass and chili, addictive to eat
Prepare flavorful stir-fried dried beo squid with lemongrass and chili, addictive to eat
  • Grilled dried beo squid with chili salt: Dried squid is grilled over red-hot charcoal, then mixed well with salt, minced garlic, chili powder, and cilantro. The dish has a spicy, fragrant taste and still retains the characteristic sweetness of the squid, very suitable for drinking sessions with friends.
Grilled dried beo squid with chili salt
Spicy and delicious grilled dried beo squid with chili salt
  • Steamed dried beo squid: The steaming dish uses fresh coconut water, lemongrass, chili, and various spices to help the squid become soft, fragrant, and retain its natural sweetness. This is a light, nutritious dish suitable for both adults and children.
Steamed dried beo squid
Steamed dried beo squid
  • Dried beo squid with tamarind sauce: The combination of dried squid and sweet and sour tamarind sauce along with coconut water, garlic, chili powder, and herbs creates an attractive dish with a gentle sour, sweet taste and a rich aroma.

Dried beo squid with tamarind sauce

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Above are detailed pieces of information about dried beo squid, nutritional value as well as how to choose, preserve, and process this type of squid. Hope the article has helped you understand more about dried beo squid, and don’t forget to visit Ola Squid’s Shop to explore a variety of quality dried squid products along with many attractive offers waiting for you!

At Ola Squid, whole dried squid and flattened dried squid are two choices favored by many for retaining the natural sweetness and characteristic chewiness of the squid. Small whole dried squid is suitable for quick grilling and immediate shredding, while whole seasoned flattened squid is perfectly spiced, convenient for use as a snack or a gift.

Ola Squid introduces a range of high-quality whole dried squid, properly sun-dried and safely preserved, for every delicious meal.

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