Tiếng Việt
ไทยHanoi does not have a coast, but it is one of the largest seafood consumption centers in the country. Do you know the current price of squid? Which type is delicious? And where to buy it to ensure quality as if it just arrived at the port? The following article, Ola Squid, will provide detailed updates on the fresh squid price in Hanoi, along with useful information on how to choose, preserve, and where to buy delicious squid, helping you easily choose fresh squid for your family meals. Don’t miss it!
Nutritional Value of Squid for Health
Before finding out the fresh squid price in Hanoi, let’s take a moment to understand why squid is always on the list of favorite foods in Vietnamese meals.
Squid is a “golden” seafood from the ocean, not only for its fresh and delicious taste but also for its excellent nutritional value. Squid contains a high content of quality protein, while being very low in saturated fat. In addition, fresh squid is particularly rich in important nutrients such as:
- Selenium: A powerful antioxidant, helping the body eliminate harmful free radicals.
- Vitamin B12: Essential for nerve function and red blood cell production.
- Omega-3: Supports cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation, and nourishes the brain.
- Zinc, copper, iodine: Necessary for the development of the immune system and thyroid function.
Fresh Squid Price List in Hanoi
Here is an updated price list for fresh squid in Hanoi in 2025, varying by squid type and time of year:
| Squid Type | Retail Price (VND/kg) | Notes |
| Giant Squid (Mực lá) | 450,000 – 600,000 | Thick, sweet meat, suitable for grilling |
| Tube Squid (Mực ống) | 380,000 – 500,000 | Long body, tender, easy to process |
| Egg Squid (Mực trứng) | 320,000 – 450,000 | Contains roe, rich and fatty |
| Sim Squid (Mực sim) | 270,000 – 350,000 | Small, intense flavor, suitable for frying |
| Cuttlefish (Mực mai) | 300,000 – 400,000 | Crispy meat, suitable for stir-frying, grilling |
Note: Prices may vary slightly depending on the season and place of purchase.
See more: Update on the latest fresh squid prices in Quang Ninh
How to Choose Delicious Squid in Hanoi
Among hundreds of seafood stalls in Hanoi, not every squid retains its freshness as when it was just caught. Especially for those with little experience, it is easy to mistake fresh squid for squid that has been frozen for a long time. To choose delicious, fresh squid with the true taste of the sea, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Clear, bright eyes: Squid eyes are the easiest indicator. Fresh squid will have clear, distinct eyes, not cloudy, with no blood or blurry film. If the eyes are cloudy, bulging, or have a strange color, the squid has likely been stored for a long time.
- Firm, elastic body: When you gently press the squid’s body with your hand, you will feel good elasticity if the squid is fresh. Conversely, squid that has been stored for a long time will have soft, mushy flesh that lacks elasticity.
- Bright color, intact skin: Fresh squid usually has smooth, shiny skin, a white or milky white belly, and a light purple or characteristic speckled back. If the skin is peeling, bruised, or has a yellowish tint, avoid buying it.
- No strong fishy odor: Fresh squid has a characteristic sea smell: mild, not intensely fishy, and no ammonia or rotten odor. A strange smell is a sign that the squid is spoiled or has been stored improperly.
- Tentacles are firmly attached, not detached: A small tip is to observe the tentacles. If the tentacles are still firmly attached to the body and are firm, the squid is fresh. Stale squid often has detached or limp tentacles that have lost their elasticity.
When buying squid in Hanoi, you should choose reputable places with clear origins, and prioritize hand-caught squid (as its meat is chewier, sweeter, and has less water than net-caught squid). At the same time, it’s best to go to the market early in the morning when the seafood stalls have just received their stock from larger suppliers, ensuring freshness and making it easier to choose. With a little attention, you can absolutely choose high-quality squid in the heart of Hanoi – a city that, despite not being coastal, is not short of fresh specialties for family meals.
See now: How to choose fresh squid that not everyone knows!
How to Preserve Fresh Squid When Traveling Long Distances
Fresh squid is a sensitive seafood that easily loses its deliciousness if not preserved properly, especially when traveling long distances or in hot weather like in Hanoi. To preserve the flavor and freshness of squid during transportation, you need to follow some important principles in how to preserve fresh squid below:
- Clean and drain before packaging: Before transporting, you should prepare the squid by washing it, removing the ink sac and internal organs. Then let the squid air dry naturally or use a clean cloth to pat it dry, avoiding waterlogging which can cause spoilage during preservation.
- Package in vacuum-sealed bags or sealed zip-lock bags: After the squid is drained, put it in a vacuum-sealed bag to prevent air from entering – the main factor that reduces freshness. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, you can use a zip-lock bag, press out all the air before sealing the bag.
- Store in a styrofoam box with dry ice or gel ice packs: Prepare a well-insulated styrofoam box, place dry ice or gel ice packs at the bottom and around the squid bags. Do not let the squid come into direct contact with the ice to avoid freezing the outer flesh. If possible, use waterproof liners to keep it dry and clean.
- Limit non-refrigerated transport time to 6-8 hours: In conditions without a portable refrigerator or specialized cooling equipment, you should only transport squid for 6-8 hours from packaging. If the transportation time is longer, increase the amount of dry ice and use a specialized cooler.
- Prioritize early morning or late evening transport: Avoid transporting squid during the hottest hours of the day to minimize the impact of ambient temperature on quality.
Proper preservation not only helps squid retain its original flavor as if it were just caught but also ensures food safety and hygiene. Thanks to this, whether you are far from the sea or transporting squid from Hanoi to other provinces, the seafood gift will always be fresh and attractive as if it just left the fishing boat.
How to Distinguish Common Squid Types in Hanoi
In Hanoi, squid is sold in a variety of types, shapes, and prices. Each type of squid has its own characteristics, suitable for different cooking methods. Clearly distinguishing between squid types not only helps you choose the right one you need but also ensures the dish achieves the most complete flavor.
| Squid Type | Identification Features | Meat Characteristics | Suitable Dishes |
| Giant Squid (Mực lá) | Thick body, wide, large size | Thick, sweet, slightly chewy meat | Salt and chili grilled, steamed with beer, charcoal grilled |
| Tube Squid (Mực ống) | Long body, cylindrical shape, smooth skin | Tender meat, absorbs seasoning well | Butter-fried, hot pot, sweet and sour stir-fry |
| Egg Squid (Mực trứng) | Small body, belly full of roe | Fatty, rich meat | Crispy fried, plain grilled |
| Sim Squid (Mực sim) | Smallest size, slender body, dark color | Intense flavor, eaten whole | Crispy fried, braised with sweet and savory sauce |
| Cuttlefish (Mực mai) | Has a hard oval “bone” inside the body | Crispy meat, less watery | Spicy stir-fry, mixed vegetable stir-fry, satay stir-fry |
Top 5+ Places to Buy Fresh Squid in Hanoi
Having mastered how to choose and distinguish squid types, you are likely interested in finding reputable places to buy fresh squid in Hanoi with guaranteed quality and reasonable prices. Here is a list of trusted stores and seafood markets highly rated by customers:
Hai San Hung Truong Sa
Known as a direct importer of fresh live squid from the central coastal regions, Hai San Hung Truong Sa commits to providing fresh, firm squid at very competitive fresh squid prices in Hanoi. This is an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy pure squid, without adulteration.
Huyen Chien Seafood Market
Specializing in a diverse range of seasonal squid and seafood, Huyen Chien Seafood Market is famous for its reasonable prices and stable supply. This is a perfect choice for families and small restaurants in Hanoi needing guaranteed fresh squid.
Hai San Bien Dong
Hai San Bien Dong’s store chain has standard cold storage processes, helping to preserve the flavor and freshness of squid. With many branches spread across Hanoi, you can easily access and choose the type of squid that suits your needs.
Hai san Nguyen Anh
Standing out with fast delivery service within the city, Hai san Nguyen Anh offers a variety of fresh squid types, from giant squid, tube squid to egg squid. Especially, the supply is always carefully inspected, ensuring freshness when it reaches consumers.
Huyen Chien Seafood Market Hanoi
Huyen Chien market is known for its fresh seafood imported from Quang Ninh. This is a destination sought after by many seafood lovers to buy delicious fresh squid, rich in variety and with reasonable prices.
Clever Food
As a reputable clean food chain, Clever Food specializes in safe frozen and fresh seafood, suitable for modern consumers. The squid here is carefully selected, ensuring no harmful preservatives, allowing you to use it with peace of mind.
Hai San 24H
Meeting the need for convenient shopping, Hai San 24H offers a fast online ordering service with competitive prices. The fresh squid here is always guaranteed for its origin and quality, suitable for busy customers who want to enjoy delicious seafood at home.
With these reputable addresses, buying fresh squid in Hanoi becomes easier and more reassuring than ever. Next, let’s take a look at famous fresh seafood markets in the capital to have more options when looking to buy squid and other seafood!
See more: Top 11+ best places to buy egg squid in Hanoi
Top Fresh Seafood Markets in Hanoi
Besides professional stores, many shoppers in Hanoi still prefer to go to large seafood markets to personally select and buy fresh squid at reasonable prices. These markets not only offer a variety of seafood but also have abundant supply, meeting the needs of all customer segments. Here are the most prominent fresh seafood markets in Hanoi that you should know when looking to buy fresh squid in Hanoi:
Long Bien Wholesale Market
This is the largest wholesale market in Hanoi for agricultural products and seafood, where thousands of tons of seafood are traded daily. Squid prices at Long Bien are usually very competitive and diverse in type, suitable for those who want to buy in large quantities or find fresh and delicious seafood at good prices.
Southern Wholesale Market
The Southern Wholesale Market is the gateway for seafood imported from the central and southern coastal regions to Hanoi. With an abundant supply, you can easily find various types of fresh squid in different sizes, meeting the needs of individual consumers as well as restaurants and eateries.
Lang Thuong and Lang Ha Markets
Located in densely populated residential areas, these two markets attract many vendors selling fresh seafood, especially early in the morning. The squid here is usually updated daily, ensuring freshness for retail customers or nearby businesses and eateries.
Thanh Cong Market
Thanh Cong Market is known for its clean seafood stalls with quality supplies that are carefully controlled. This is a reliable destination for those who want to buy delicious fresh squid in the inner city of Hanoi.
Nghia Tan Market
Nghia Tan Market offers a diverse range of fresh supplies at reasonable prices, especially crowded on weekends. You can find many types of squid suitable for different tastes and budgets here.
Phung Khoang Market
With a convenient location near student and office areas, Phung Khoang Market is a popular choice for those who want to buy fresh squid at low prices while ensuring quality. The market has many stalls with competitive prices.
Dinh Cong Green Market
As a newly invested market, Dinh Cong Green Market impresses with its clean space and organized display of goods. This makes it easy for customers to choose fresh squid and seafood daily.
Thanks to the diversity and richness of these seafood markets, you can absolutely find a fresh squid price in Hanoi that suits your budget and needs. If you are planning a seafood meal full of the taste of the sea, the above markets are unmissable destinations.
We hope that with the above sharing, you have gained an overview of the fresh squid price in Hanoi as well as useful tips for choosing and preserving delicious squid. Don’t forget to save these reputable addresses and quality fresh seafood markets if you are planning to cook a delicious meal for your family!
