Bigfin Reef Squid vs. European Squid: Which One Tastes Better?

Broad squid and squid are familiar seafood choices in daily meals, famous for their natural sweetness and high nutritional value. However, not everyone knows how to distinguish broad squid and squid, and choose the right type suitable for each cooking method. Confusing squid and broad squid not only affects the flavor of your dish but also makes it easy to purchase at the wrong price. The following article by Ola Squid will help you master the secrets to identify and buy the right type. Stay tuned!

How to distinguish broad squid and squid

To avoid confusion when going to the market or buying seafood, you can rely on characteristic criteria regarding shape, meat quality, and price of each type. Below is a detailed comparison table to help you identify broad squid and squid: 

Note: The current price is an average reference price and may change depending on the time.

See more: Popular types of squid in Vietnam – How to distinguish and buy 

Is squid or broad squid tastier? Delicious dishes from broad squid and squid

It is very difficult to assert whether squid or broad squid is tastier because each type possesses its own unique advantages in cuisine. Evaluation of which type is tastier depends on your taste preferences and cooking methods. 

Squid: Suitable for stir-frying, steaming, and stuffing with meat 

With its soft, mildly sweet meat and hollow tube-like structure, squid is the perfect choice for stir-fried vegetables, steamed squid with ginger and lemongrass, or meat-stuffed squid fried with fish sauce. Thanks to its slender shape, squid when cut into round rings also brings high aesthetic value when decorating the serving plate. 

Some delicious dishes from squid you can refer to include:

• Crispy deep-fried squid: Golden crispy batter layer on the outside, soft and sweet squid meat on the inside.
• Squid fried with fish sauce: Squid fried golden and then coated with fish sauce, sugar, and seasonings, creating a rich flavor.
• Crispy deep-fried meat-stuffed squid: Squid is stuffed with minced meat, fried golden, perfect to enjoy with hot rice.
• Squid steamed with beer: Steaming squid with beer and lemongrass helps make the squid meat fragrant and naturally sweet.
• Squid stir-fried with sate sauce: The spicy and aromatic flavor of sate combined with crispy sweet squid.
• Squid steamed with ginger: A simple preparation method that preserves the natural sweetness of the squid.
• Squid stir-fried with bell peppers: Crispy squid combined with sweet and crunchy bell peppers, creating eye-catching colors.
• Squid fried with butter and garlic: Squid fried golden, tossed with butter and garlic to create an appealing aroma.
• Squid stir-fried with celery: Celery helps make the squid dish more fragrant and balances the flavor.
• Sour squid soup: The mild sour taste of tamarind or pineapple combined with squid creates an easy-to-eat soup.

Broad squid: suitable for grilling, hotpot, making dried squid/semi-dried squid

Broad squid has thick meat and a deep sweet flavor, suitable for grilling with sate, grilling with chili salt, or dipping in hotpot. Especially, broad squid is ideal for making semi-dried squid (one-sun-dried squid) because it retains its natural chewiness and sweetness. 

Some delicious dishes from broad squid you can refer to include:

• Steamed broad squid with ginger/scallion and ginger: Fully preserves the sweetness of squid, combined with aromatic ginger and a mild spicy kick.
• Broad squid grilled with sate: Squid grilled with sate for a beautiful golden color and a rich, spicy, aromatic flavor.
• Broad squid grilled with chili salt: Salty and spicy flavors evenly coating the squid body, suitable as a snack or drinking food.
• Sweet and sour stir-fried broad squid: Combines harmonious sour and sweet flavors with chewy, crispy squid meat.
• Broad squid stir-fried with onions: Sweet and crunchy onions help make the squid dish more aromatic and easy to eat.
• Broad squid fried with fish sauce: Squid fried golden and then simmered with fish sauce, creating a rich layer of seasoning on the outside.
• Crispy broad squid with burnt garlic: Fragrant crispy squid combined with golden fried garlic, suitable to eat with rice or as a snack.
• Dried broad squid: Squid is processed, sun-dried, or dehydrated to make dried squid, which has a deep sweet taste and characteristic chewiness.
• Broad squid made into semi-dried squid: Squid is only dried for one sun, so the meat remains soft, juicy, and retains its natural sweetness.

How to choose fresh and delicious broad squid and squid

To choose fresh and delicious broad squid and squid, you should observe the color, the elasticity of the squid’s body, the eyes, and the smell. In addition, you also need to correctly distinguish each type of squid to avoid buying the wrong species or paying a higher price than its actual quality. 

Signs of fresh broad squid

Fresh broad squid has a thick, wide, and firm body, with a shiny outer skin that is translucent white or slightly naturally pinkish. When pressing gently on the body with your hand, the squid meat shows good elasticity, quickly returning to its original shape and is not mushy.

Some easy-to-recognize signs of fresh broad squid:

• Squid eyes: Clear, bright, not cloudy or deeply sunken.
• Squid body: Thick, firm, with a moist surface but not abnormally slimy.
• Squid skin: Has a natural shine, fresh color, without abnormal dark or yellow patches.
• Tentacles and arms: Firmly attached to the body, not soft or easily falling off.
• Smell: Has the characteristic smell of fresh seafood, without a strong fishy, sour, or ammoniacal odor.

Signs of fresh squid

Fresh squid has a long, tube-shaped body with translucent white and firm meat. When choosing to buy, you should prioritize those with intact skin, natural colors, and squid bodies that are not limp.

You can check through the following features:

• Squid body: Plump, firm, elastic, not bruised or mushy.
• Color: Translucent white body, skin with natural color and a certain shine.
• Eyes: Clear, bright, not cloudy or showing signs of dryness.
• Head and tentacles: Relatively firmly attached to the body, tentacles are not slimy or heavily fallen off.
• Smell: Characteristic light aroma of fresh squid, without abnormal foul or ammoniacal odors.

If buying cleaned or frozen squid, you should also check the packaging condition, color, and amount of liquid released. If the squid is discolored, has strange fluid, or shows an unusual odor, you should not buy it.

See more: How to choose fresh and delicious squid that not everyone knows

Tips to avoid buying the wrong type/price

Broad squid and squid have quite different shapes, so before buying, you should clearly identify the type of squid you need to use. Broad squid has a wide, thick, and relatively short body, while squid has an elongated, tube-shaped body. The selling price can also vary depending on size, freshness, season, and source of supply.

To avoid buying the wrong type or paying a high price, you should:

• Ask clearly for the squid type and origin before weighing.
• Observe the entire squid, do not just look at the body parts placed on top.
• Compare prices per kg between different stalls or shops if buying in large quantities.
• Ask clearly if it is fresh squid, chilled squid, or frozen squid, as quality and prices can differ.
• Do not choose squid solely based on large size; you should choose fresh, firmer-bodied squid over larger ones that have been kept for too long.
• If buying squid to cook a specific dish, you should ask the seller for the squid type suitable for that cooking method to avoid buying unnecessarily expensive types.

In addition, if you notice the squid is too white, abnormally shiny, or has a strange odor, do not rely solely on appearance to assess its freshness. Check the elasticity, eyes, skin, and smell before making a purchase decision.

Is squid or broad squid more suitable for making dried squid?

Both squid and broad squid can be processed into dried squid, but each type has different meat characteristics and suitability. If you prioritize dried squid with soft meat, natural sweetness, and easy grilling, squid is the more favored option.

Dried squid has relatively soft meat, moderately chewy meat fibers, and retains its natural sweetness after drying. When grilled, the squid easily shreds into strips and has a characteristic aroma. Meanwhile, dried broad squid has thick meat but can become tougher when dried, requiring proper preparation to maintain its deliciousness.

With its thick, soft meat and rich sweetness, broad squid is usually more suitable for making one-sun-dried squid. This drying method helps dry the surface of the squid while still retaining the moisture, softness, and natural sweetness inside.

If you are looking for delicious dried squid to grill, shred to eat directly, or use as a drinking snack, selected line-caught squid is an option worth considering. Dried squid at Ola Squid is made from selected line-caught squid, focusing on raw material quality to preserve the natural sweetness, tender chewiness, and characteristic aroma of the squid after grilling.

Frequently Asked Questions about broad squid and squid

Is broad squid or squid tastier?

Neither type is strictly tastier. Broad squid is better for grilled dishes and hotpots thanks to its thick and crunchy meat, while squid is slightly superior for steamed, stir-fried, stuffed meat dishes, and dried squid due to its soft and sweet meat. 

Is broad squid or squid more expensive?

Broad squid is usually 20% – 40% more expensive than squid due to its thicker meat and lower natural harvest output compared to squid. 

What is the fastest way to distinguish broad squid and squid?

The fastest way is to look at the fins: broad squid has thick fins extending along its entire body, while squid has short fins located only at the tail forming a triangle. 

Each type of squid offers a wonderful culinary experience in its own way. Understanding how to distinguish broad squid and squid helps you easily buy the freshest ingredients for your family menu. Don’t forget to visit the Ola Squid website to purchase the highest quality dried squid products for your home meals!