What Soup is Squid Good With? Top 11 Easy Soups for Daily Cooling

When mentioning squid soup, many people immediately think of the natural sweet taste, the characteristic crunchiness, and the very unique refreshing feeling of this seafood. The question of “what is delicious squid soup” is not only a concern for kitchen lovers but also reflects the diversity in Vietnamese culinary culture, where fresh squid can blend with countless types of vegetables, with each dish offering a different layer of flavor.

In this article, Ola Squid will go deep with you to explore the nutritional value, how to choose squid, standard preparation techniques, and a series of attractive squid soup dishes, from traditional to modern variations.

Nutritional value of squid

If you are wondering what is delicious squid soup, start by clearly understanding the nutritional value of this protein-rich seafood. Tube squid, bigfin reef squid, or egg squid all contain high protein content, low saturated fat, and are rich in essential minerals such as selenium, copper, zinc, along with B-group vitamins.

Thanks to this, squid not only helps the body maintain abundant energy but also supports the immune system, enhances nervous function, and promotes the metabolism process to take place more smoothly.

In particular, squid also contains taurine, a natural amino acid that plays an important role in stabilizing blood pressure, enhancing eye activity and the nervous system.

Not only that, the omega-3 component in squid (although not as high as in fatty fish) is still enough to improve cardiovascular health. Squid can be likened to a “tiny mineral factory,” providing essential nutrients that we sometimes accidentally forget in our daily meals!

Types of squid often used for cooking soup

To know what is delicious squid soup, it is necessary to distinguish common types of squid on the market. Not every type creates the sweet, crunchy texture you desire.

• Tube squid: This is the top choice for cooking soup. Tube squid meat is soft, crunchy, and naturally sweet. When cooked for a short time, tube squid maintains its characteristic light chewiness and shrinks very little.
• Bigfin reef squid: Has a thick body and bold flavor, suitable for soup dishes that need a prominent sweet broth. Bigfin reef squid creates a “well-rounded flavor” for the dish.
• Egg squid: Usually not used much for soup because the egg belly is easy to break during cooking, but if prepared skillfully, egg squid soup brings a very unique rich and nutty flavor.
• Squid tentacles: Squid tentacles are chewy and flavorful, very suitable for kimchi soup or dishes that need a prominent crunch.

Each type of squid possesses a unique characteristic, bringing different flavors. Therefore, choosing the right squid will help the soup achieve the most sophisticated natural sweetness.

How to choose and buy fresh squid

One of the important secrets to answering the question what is delicious squid soup is how to choose fresh squid. Fresh squid determines 70% of the deliciousness of the dish, especially for soup dishes that need a natural sweet taste.

Please apply the following criteria:

• Color: Fresh squid usually has a dark brown skin or a light purple glow, with the inner meat being clear white and not turning yellow.
• Elasticity: When gently pressing on the squid body, the meat must be firm and bounce back immediately, proving that the squid is still fresh.
• Squid eyes: Observe carefully; the squid’s eyes should be crystal clear, not cloudy, and without strange fluids.
• Smell: Fresh squid has a light sea smell. If there is a strange, sour, or ammonia smell, skip it.
• Hard spikes/thin skin: For tube squid, the more intact the skin layer is, the more it proves the squid has undergone little frozen storage.

In professional cuisine, chefs also observe the “luminescent line” on the squid. The clearer the line and the firmer the body, the more it proves the squid is still alive or has just been caught.

Summary of delicious, easy-to-make squid soup dishes

And now, the most important part: what is delicious squid soup? Below are the squid soup dishes that are popular from family meals to seafood restaurants.

Squid soup with pineapple (sweet and sour)

Squid soup cooked with pineapple is a dish with a clear, sour, and sweet flavor, very suitable for meals on hot days.

Ingredients:

• Fresh squid: 300-400g (tube squid or bigfin reef squid)
• Medium ripe pineapple: ½ fruit
• Tomato: 1-2 fruits
• Shallots, spring onions, celery, dill
• Seasoning: Salt, fish sauce, seasoning powder, pepper

Cooking method:

• Prepare the squid: Wash with diluted salt water + ginger to deodorize, cut into rings or leave whole as desired.
• Sauté fragrant shallots, add tomatoes and stir-fry to create color.
• Add pineapple and stir quickly for 1 minute to release the aroma without it becoming mushy.
• Pour in water, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat.
• When the water boils again for the second time, add the squid and cook for 2–3 minutes (do not cook long to avoid toughness).
• Season to taste, add spring onions – dill and turn off the heat.

Flavor: Sweetness from the squid, light sourness from the pineapple, refreshing, easy to eat, and suitable for all ages.

See more: 3 suggestions for making delicious, rich stir-fried squid with pineapple at home

Squid soup with luffa

This is an extremely refreshing soup dish, suitable for people who want to cool down and supplement fiber.

Ingredients:

• Tube squid: 250–300g
• Luffa: 1–2 fruits
• Spring onions, shallots, sawtooth coriander
• Basic seasonings

Cooking method:

• Clean the squid, score in a dragon scale pattern if you want it to look beautiful.
• Peel the luffa, cut into rounds or sticks.
• Sauté shallots, lightly stir-fry squid with a little fish sauce for aroma.
• Add water and bring to a boil.
• Add luffa and cook for 3–5 minutes, then season again.
• Sprinkle with spring onions and sawtooth coriander.

Flavor: The soup is very sweet thanks to the luffa and squid. The luffa is just soft, not mushy, the broth is clear, with a characteristic fragrance.

See more: How to make refreshing stir-fried squid with luffa to conquer every palate

Squid soup with wild betel leaves

This dish has a unique taste and the warm aroma of wild betel leaves, suitable for rainy days or chilly weather.

Ingredients:

• Bigfin reef squid or squid tentacles: 300g
• Wild betel leaves: 10 leaves
• Shallots, ginger, pepper
• Seasonings

Cooking method:

• Clean the squid, cut into pieces.
• Sauté shallots, add squid and stir-fry until fragrant.
• Add water and 2–3 slices of ginger to increase warmth.
• When the water boils, add shredded wild betel leaves.
• Season a bit more boldly because betel leaves can lighten the flavor.

Flavor: Aromatic, stomach-warming, the broth is sweet from the squid with a stimulating hint of wild betel leaf scent.

See more: How to make delicious steamed squid with wild betel leaves, home-style taste

Vietnamese Sour Squid Soup

This is a soup dish that brings a clear sour taste, is easy to eat, and is extremely suitable for hot weather.

Variations such as:

• Southern-style sour soup (pineapple, tomato, okra, elephant ear stalks)
• Northern-style sour soup (pineapple, dracontomelon, or green tamarind)
• Central-style sour soup (sweet, lightly spicy)

General cooking method:

• Stir-fry tomatoes to create color.
• Add pineapple or souring agents (tamarind, dracontomelon).
• Cook the broth, then finally drop in the squid.
• Add vegetables: bean sprouts, elephant ear stalks, rice paddy herb, thorny coriander.

Flavor: Mildly sour, naturally sweet, not harsh; goes perfectly with rice.

Squid soup with amaranth (or water spinach)

A simple soup dish but rich in vitamins, very suitable for family meals.

Cooking method:

• Prepare squid, stir-fry quickly with a little fish sauce.
• Boil water, drop in amaranth or water spinach.
• After 1–2 minutes, add the squid and season.
• Turn off the heat when the vegetables are just cooked to maintain a beautiful color.

Flavor: Purple amaranth creates a beautiful pink color. The soup is sweet, clear, and not fishy.

Squid soup with pumpkin

A sweet, lightly rich, warming soup, very nutritious for tired people.

Cooking method:

• Cut pumpkin into bite-sized blocks, steam slightly to maintain the nutty texture.
• Clean the squid, cut into rings.
• Boil water, add pumpkin and cook until 80% soft.
• Add squid and season.
• Sprinkle with spring onions and coriander.

Flavor: Rich broth, soft and nutty pumpkin, crunchy and sweet squid.

Squid soup with bamboo shoots

Squid soup with bamboo shoots is perfect for those who like a bold, crunchy, and clear dish.

Cooking method:

• Boil fresh bamboo shoots 1–2 times to remove the pungent smell.
• Stir-fry squid separately for aroma.
• Boil water, add bamboo shoots and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add squid at the very end.

Flavor: Crunchy bamboo shoots, sweet squid, clear broth.

See more: How to make delicious stir-fried squid with bamboo shoots that you should not miss

Squid soup with gourd

One of the most effective “heat-rescuing” soup dishes.

Cooking method:

• Peel the gourd, slice into pieces.
• Prepare squid, cut tentacles or rings.
• Sauté onions, lightly stir-fry squid.
• Add gourd and cook until it becomes translucent.

Flavor: Naturally sweet broth, refreshing, and very easy to eat.

Squid soup with garland chrysanthemum (tang oh)

Garland chrysanthemum has a characteristic aroma, which is very suitable when combined with squid.

Cooking method:

• Stir-fry squid lightly to maintain crunchiness.
• Boil water, season lightly.
• Add garland chrysanthemum just as you are ready to eat so it doesn’t become mushy.

Flavor: Lightly aromatic, sweet, and clear.

Kimchi soup with squid tentacles

A variation from Korean cuisine that brings a light spicy and mild sour taste.

How to make:

• Stir-fry kimchi to bring out a beautiful red color.
• Add water and bring to a boil.
• Add squid tentacles and cook quickly.
• Add leeks.

Flavor: Lightly spicy, aromatic, crunchy, extremely stimulating for the taste buds.

See more: What is delicious to cook with dried squid tentacles? 6 attractive dish suggestions

Shrimp and squid noodle soup (Banh canh)

A dish full of flavor and nutrients, suitable for both children and adults.

Ingredients:

• Black tiger shrimp
• Tube squid
• Rice or tapioca noodles (Banh canh)
• Onions, pepper, coriander

Cooking method:

• Simmer broth from bones or shrimp heads.
• Season and add the noodles to cook.
• Add squid and shrimp last to maintain crunchiness and sweetness.

Flavor: Slightly thick, aromatic, clear broth, crunchy and sweet toppings.

See more: How to cook delicious, authentic squid noodle soup

General guide when cooking squid soup

If you want your squid soup to be delicious and standard, master the following principles.

Properly prepare squid to remove fishy smell and maintain crunchiness

• Wash squid with crushed ginger and sea salt.
• Remove the ink sac, eyes, and internal organs.
• Lightly score the squid body to help seasonings absorb and look more attractive.
• Blanch the squid quickly for 10–15 seconds before cooking to maintain crunchiness.

Ginger, white wine, or lemon juice are the “golden trio” for deodorizing the fishy smell of squid.

The secret to cooking squid without it being tough and keeping the water sweet

• Squid is very sensitive to temperature. If cooked for too long, the squid will become tough and lose its sweetness.
• The golden rule: Cook quickly, high heat, add squid at the very end.
• Additionally, seasoning before adding the squid helps the soup broth have a stable flavor and avoids letting the squid be affected by fishy odors.

Notes when combining ingredients with squid

• Do not combine squid with foods that are too rich in fresh Vitamin C (oranges, tangerines) in the same meal to avoid indigestion.
• Aromatic vegetables such as garland chrysanthemum, dill, and wild betel leaves are suitable for squid soup but should be added at the end.
• Avoid seasoning with too much fish sauce while the soup is still boiling, as fish sauce boiled for a long time can make the dish smell strong.

If you still wonder what is delicious squid soup, the answer is: any soup dish that combines the natural sweetness of squid, maintains the crunchiness of the meat, and harmonizes the flavors of vegetables can become a perfect soup.

When answering the question “what is delicious squid soup,” the most important thing lies not only in the recipe but also in how you choose the squid, handle the squid, and sense the flavor of each type of vegetable when combined with seafood. Fresh squid is inherently very rich in nutrition and brings a characteristic clear sweet taste that few ingredients can replace.

Therefore, as long as you master the preparation techniques and choose a soup dish that fits your family’s palate, you can completely transform simple ingredients into a warm, full-flavored, and energetic meal.

If you are looking for a quality source of squid, visit Ola Squid now. We provide quality products such as whole dried squid, seasoned flattened dried squid,… which are carefully selected from clean sea areas, ensuring safety and full flavor preservation.

Explore the collection of delicious squid products from Ola Squid right here: https://olasquid.com/en/shop/