Tiếng Việt
ไทยSquid is one of the most popular and beloved seafood in Vietnamese cuisine. Among them, squid and tube squid are two familiar types, frequently appearing in family meals, restaurants, or parties. However, not everyone can clearly distinguish between these two types of squid, nor know which one is suitable for each cooking method. The article below will help you recognize the differences between squid and tube squid, and suggest some delicious dishes made from these two types of squid.
How are squid and tube squid different?
Color and Shape
Tube squid has a long, slender, cylindrical body, resembling a tube, just like its name suggests. The fins are diamond-shaped, thin, and extend from about the middle to the end of the body. The squid’s skin often has tiny pink spots, giving it a shimmering appearance. Tube squid has 8 short tentacles and 2 prominent long ones, along with large, clear eyes.
Meanwhile, squid has a shorter, thicker body, and a slightly flattened shape. A distinctive feature is its thick, wide fins that extend almost the entire length of the body. When swimming, it spreads out like a leaf gliding on the water. The skin of squid is usually translucent white, with tiny blackish-brown spots evenly distributed across the body.
Squid Meat
Squid meat is thicker, firmer, and crunchier than tube squid. When eaten, you will clearly feel the natural sweetness and the characteristic chewy texture, making it very suitable for grilling, steaming, or deep-frying in luxurious restaurants and banquets.
Conversely, tube squid meat is thinner and softer, melting gently in the mouth when cooked. Although not as richly sweet as squid, its tenderness is very suitable for stir-fries, hot pots, or everyday family meals due to its quick cooking time and ability to absorb flavors easily.
Structure
In terms of structure, tube squid has a hard, transparent, fibrous backbone running along its body, commonly called the cuttlebone. When preparing, gently pulling this out cleans most of the inside of the squid.
Squid, however, does not have a cuttlebone or plastic-like strip running down its back like tube squid. This type of squid has a simpler structure; when cleaning, you only need to remove the internal organs to be ready for cooking.
Preparation
Squid stands out with its natural sweetness and firm, crisp texture, making it ideal for steaming, stir-frying, or making dried squid. Dishes like beer-steamed squid, squid stir-fried with young corn, or salt and pepper grilled squid maximize the rich, fresh flavor of this type of squid.
Conversely, tube squid has thinner, lightly crisp meat that easily absorbs seasonings, making it suitable for deep-fried dishes, squid hot pots, or squid stuffed with meat. Furthermore, due to its elongated shape, when sliced into rings, tube squid can also be used to decorate dishes, making them look more visually appealing and attractive.
Which is tastier, tube squid or squid?
Both tube squid and squid are excellent ingredients in cuisine, offering high nutritional value, rich in protein and essential minerals such as vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium. However, each type has its own advantages and is suitable for different cooking methods.
Tube squid has thin, tender meat that absorbs seasonings easily and is often chosen for stir-fries, steamed dishes, or stuffed dishes due to its slender shape and high aesthetic appeal when presented. Meanwhile, squid possesses thick, richly sweet, firm, and crisp meat, making it ideal for grilling, hot pots, or dishes requiring natural sweetness from seafood.
In terms of quality and economic value, squid is rated higher than tube squid. The price of squid is usually higher due to its delicious meat, firm texture, and thicker flesh. Therefore, squid is often prepared in menus for restaurants and elegant parties, while tube squid is more common in everyday family meals.
Delicious dishes made from squid and tube squid
Grilled Squid
Grilled squid is one of the simplest yet incredibly appealing preparation methods, loved by many. After cleaning, marinate the squid with spices for about 30 minutes, then grill it over charcoal or an electric grill to achieve its unique flavor.
Grilling squid over charcoal provides a distinctive, irresistible aroma. However, you need to turn it frequently to ensure it’s cooked evenly on both sides without becoming dry and tough. For squid, due to its thicker flesh than tube squid, the grilling time may be slightly longer to ensure it’s cooked through while retaining its sweetness and crispness.
Grilling in an oven or air fryer is more convenient as it has timer and stable temperature settings, ensuring the squid cooks evenly without constant turning. However, this method does not produce the characteristic smoky flavor of charcoal grilling.
Squid Stir-fried with Young Corn
Squid stir-fried with young corn is a simple, easy-to-prepare dish that offers a fresh and light flavor. The ingredients are easy to find, such as fresh squid and young corn from the market or supermarket.
After cleaning the squid and young corn, sauté garlic in a pan with oil, then add the squid and stir-fry until it firms up and releases its juices. Next, add the young corn and stir to coat evenly with seasonings. If you want to add more color and flavor, you can also add bell peppers, peas, or a little fresh herb. This dish is suitable for family meals due to the harmonious combination of the crispness of the corn and the tender sweetness of the squid.
Steamed Squid with Ginger and Scallions
Steamed squid with ginger and scallions is a light, easy-to-prepare dish that preserves the natural flavor of the squid. Whether using squid or tube squid, simply clean them, add a few slices of fresh ginger and cut scallions, then steam for about 10-15 minutes to have a fragrant, naturally sweet dish.
Other delicious dishes from squid and tube squid
Besides familiar dishes like grilled squid, steamed squid, or stir-fried squid, both squid and tube squid can be transformed into many attractive dishes with diverse flavors and preparation methods.
- Stuffed Squid: Tube squid, with its long, hollow body, is suitable for stuffing with meat. A blend of the squid’s sweetness and the tender, fragrant mixture of minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms, this dish is usually steamed or fried, served with a rich fish sauce with garlic and chili.
- Crispy Fried Squid: Both squid and tube squid can be sliced into rings and coated in batter for deep-frying. When fried, the golden crispy coating combined with the crunchy, flavorful squid inside creates a beloved dish, especially appealing to children.
- Braised Squid with Pepper, Braised Squid with Pineapple: Braised squid is a savory dish that complements rice, suitable for all family meals. Squid, with its thick, firm flesh, absorbs flavors well when braised with pepper, pineapple, pork belly, or dried shrimp, all offering an irresistible unique flavor.
- Squid Hot Pot: Fresh squid sliced into bite-sized pieces, dipped into a hot and sour broth, is a great suggestion for cooler days. Tube squid is often preferred for hot pot due to its light crispness and ability to absorb the broth’s flavor.
- Squid Rimmed with Tamarind: This attractive sweet and sour tamarind-rimmed squid dish often uses dried tube squid or dried squid. When simmered with tamarind paste, sugar, garlic, and chili, the squid becomes chewy, slightly spicy, and rich in sweet and sour flavors, making it perfect as a snack or an accompaniment to drinks.
Hopefully, through this article, you have learned to distinguish between squid and tube squid as well as choose the right squid. To discover more useful information related to selecting, cooking fresh squid, and finding quality dried squid suppliers, don’t hesitate to visit the website olasquid.com!
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