Tiếng Việt
ไทยCua Lo is one of the famous coastal tourist destinations of Nghe An, not only attracting tourists with its cool blue beaches but also with its fresh seafood dishes, especially Cua Lo jumping squid. With sweet, naturally chewy and crunchy meat and a characteristic ocean flavor, jumping squid is increasingly favored for preparing various dishes. Let’s explore with Ola Squid the secrets of processing and enjoying Cua Lo jumping squid in the article below!
1. What is Cua Lo jumping squid?
Cua Lo jumping squid is a famous specialty of Nghe An, referring to live squid caught directly from the sea. When first caught, the squid’s body flashes and glitters under the light, and the squid still wriggles and beats strongly, so locals call it “jumping squid” or “blinking squid“. These squids retain their natural sweetness and crunchy texture, completely different from frozen squid or long-term preserved squid, carrying the rich ocean flavor of Cua Lo and becoming a must-try dish when visiting this land.
2. When should you enjoy jumping squid?
The ideal time for you to enjoy Cua Lo jumping squid is from March to July of the lunar calendar, when the squid season is at its most abundant of the year. During this period, fishermen go out to sea from evening until late at night to fish for squid, then release them into cages right at sea to ensure the squid are always fresh and alive. Tourists can easily buy fresh jumping squid at coastal seafood markets, especially the area near Lan Chau Island, to fully enjoy the characteristic sweet and crunchy flavor.
3. Delicious dishes made from Cua Lo jumping squid
Cua Lo jumping squid is an ingredient that can be processed into many attractive dishes such as steaming, grilling, stir-frying, etc. Here are some delicious dishes from Cua Lo jumping squid that you can choose to change the flavor for your family meal:
3.1. Grilled Cua Lo jumping squid
Cua Lo jumping squid is best enjoyed right on the spot when just caught from the sea. After quick cleaning, the squid is lightly marinated with salt, pepper, and a bit of olive oil, then grilled over red charcoal until the body is golden brown, releasing a characteristic aroma. The squid meat is crunchy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside, retaining the full fresh taste of the ocean. When eaten with fish sauce mixed with mustard, pepper, fresh lime, and Vietnamese coriander, the grilled dish becomes attractive and unforgettable, making diners crave it just by looking.
3.2. Cua Lo dried squid
Jumping squid after being caught is naturally sun-dried in Cua Lo, preserving its natural sweetness and characteristic ocean aroma. Dried squid has a moderate chewiness, is soft, and can be enjoyed all year round. When grilled or lightly fried, the fragrance spreads, the squid meat is flavorful, making it very suitable for sipping with a few cans of beer or processing into stir-fries and salads. If you cannot enjoy it fresh on the spot, you can explore premium products like whole dried squid to bring the Cua Lo flavor home.
3.3. Steamed jumping squid
Steamed jumping squid is a simple processing method that still retains the full freshness and natural sweetness of the squid. Before steaming, the squid is washed and marinated with ginger; the steaming liquid can include a bit of beer or coconut water to remove any fishy odor. When the water boils and the squid is just cooked, the meat is soft, sweet, and lightly fragrant; eating it right on the spot will clearly reveal the characteristic ocean flavor. This is a dish that is both refreshing and preserves the original fresh taste of Cua Lo squid.
See more: Summary of 5 ways to steam delicious, soft, sweet, and non-fishy squid
3.4. Stir-fried squid with bell peppers
Stir-fried jumping squid with bell peppers is a perfect combination between the sweetness of the squid and the fresh aroma of vegetables. The squid is stir-fried quickly over high heat with bell peppers, onions, garlic, and basic seasonings. The squid pieces are crunchy, evenly seasoned, with eye-catching red and green colors from the vegetables, creating a dish that is both visually appealing and delicious.
See more: Instructions for making simple yet irresistibly delicious mixed stir-fried squid
3.5. Stir-fried squid with curry
Stir-fried jumping squid with curry brings a rich, slightly spicy, and creamy flavor. Jumping squid is stir-fried with a well-blended curry sauce, combined with potatoes, carrots, and onions. The chewy and crunchy squid meat is evenly infused with spices; eating it with hot rice will be a delicious, nutrient-rich meal suitable for the whole family.
3.6. Squid stuffed with fried rice
Another creative and attractive dish you should not miss is jumping squid stuffed with fried rice. The squid is cleaned and stuffed with a portion of fried rice mixed with onions, shrimp, meat, and seasonings, then fried or grilled until just cooked. The outside of the squid is crunchy, while the inside rice is evenly infused with flavor, fragrant and full of nutrition, becoming a dish that is both delicious and unique.
See more:
4. How much does Cua Lo jumping squid cost?
This is perhaps the question most tourists are interested in when coming to Cua Lo and wanting to enjoy this specialty. Cua Lo jumping squid has a significantly higher price compared to regular squid or broad squid that are frozen or iced.
The price of Cua Lo jumping squid is not fixed, fluctuating depending on the time in the harvesting season, freshness, size, selling method (by bunch or by weight), and place of sale. If you go to Cua Lo night market (near the road to Lan Chau Island), squid is sold in bunches of about 5‑10, with prices ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 VND/bunch depending on size. At seafood stores selling jumping squid that has been bagged and frozen, the price is about 350,000 – 450,000 VND/kg.
Cua Lo jumping squid is both a delicious, crunchy fresh specialty and an ingredient for preparing grilled, stir-fried, and steamed dishes, bringing an unforgettable culinary experience. If you want to learn more about other types of squid as well as the secrets to preparing delicious dishes made from squid, please visit the Ola Squid website now!
