Dried squid
Flattened dried squid
Seasoned Shredded Squid
Dried squid snack
Tiếng Việt
ไทยSquid is a familiar seafood, an ingredient for many dishes from family meals to luxurious menus. Knowing how to choose squid that is fresh, sweet, firm, and without a fishy odor to ensure the quality of your dishes is not something everyone knows. In the article below, Ola Squid will share simple, easy-to-apply secrets on how to choose fresh squid, helping you confidently select delicious squid and ensure quality for every meal.
5 little-known ways to choose fresh and delicious squid
To select delicious squid, you should not only rely on the external color but also need to check the eyes, tentacles, elasticity, and characteristic smell. With just a few simple steps below, you can easily identify whether the squid is still fresh or has started to degrade in quality.
Observe the color of the squid body
Fresh squid usually has shiny skin, a deep and relatively uniform color, and still looks natural.
Depending on the type, cuttlefish or bigfin reef squid usually have a dark brown color, while squid tubes have a milky white body. If the squid body is pale, patchy, or turns an unusual grey or yellow hue, you should reconsider as this may be a sign that the squid has been kept for a long time.
Check the elasticity when pressing the squid body
The elasticity of the squid body is one of the simplest ways to check for freshness. When buying, use your finger to gently press the body; fresh squid will have firm flesh, quickly returning to its original shape and leaving almost no indentation. Conversely, less fresh squid is often soft and mushy, with low elasticity, and the indentation remains for a long time after being pressed.
Observe the squid’s eyes
Fresh squid eyes are usually clear, bright, and the pupils can be clearly seen, with a firm surface and no cloudiness. This is a fairly easy sign to recognize when buying squid at markets or seafood stores. If the eyes are cloudy, dry, sunken, or have fluid leaking, you should avoid choosing them as the squid may be stale.
Check the tentacles and arms
Fresh squid usually has tentacles firmly attached to the head, with intact and firm suckers, and does not feel soft or slimy when held. You can observe the connection between the head and body to check the squid’s firmness. If the squid tentacles are soft, easily fall off, or the suckers are mushy, it may be a sign that the squid has been stored for a long time and no longer retains its freshness.
Smell the squid
Fresh squid has a characteristic mild fishy smell of marine seafood, but it is not unpleasant when smelled closely. Conversely, degraded squid usually has a strong, foul, sour, or unusual smell. Therefore, if the squid smells different from natural seafood, it is best not to buy it, even if its external appearance still looks quite good.
See also: How to clean squid quickly and simply for perfectly flavored dishes
Tips for choosing fresh squid by type
Each type of squid has different shape characteristics and textures, so how to recognize freshness is also slightly different. Besides general signs like clear eyes, firm flesh, and a natural smell, you can rely on some specific features below to choose better squid.
Squid tubes
Fresh squid tubes usually have a naturally bright pink or milky white body, tight, shiny skin, and not many scratches. The head is still tightly attached to the body, tentacles are firm, and especially the ink sac is intact and unbroken, which is a sign that the squid is still fresh. When held, the body has good elasticity, and is not soft, mushy, or slimy.
Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish usually has a thick body, firm flesh, and relatively hard skin, with the surface still retaining its natural shine. The outer membrane is intact, not peeled or crushed. When lightly pressed on the body, the cuttlefish has clear elasticity and quickly returns to its original shape.
Bigfin reef squid
Bigfin reef squid has a round, thick body and firm flesh, with the skin still shiny, not wrinkled or dull. When buying, you should prioritize those with intact bodies, not crushed, and the head still firmly attached to the body. At the same time, the squid has good elasticity, is not slimy, and does not have an abnormal foul or fishy odor.
Secrets to keeping squid fresh for a long time
Properly storing fresh squid helps the squid retain its firmness, natural sweetness, and limits the fishy odor after purchase. Depending on storage conditions, you can apply the following methods:
- Without a refrigerator: Put the squid in a sealed bag or styrofoam box, pack cold ice around it, and punch holes to drain melted ice water. The squid should be kept constantly cold and processed as soon as possible.
- With a refrigerator: Clean, drain, and place the squid in a tightly sealed container or zip bag. Store in the refrigerator compartment and use within 1-2 days.
- Freezing: Divide the squid into suitable portions, vacuum seal if possible, then store in the freezer compartment below -18°C. Under stable packaging and temperature conditions, it can be used for about 4-5 months.
See also: Popular types of squid in Vietnam and how to identify them
Important notes when buying fresh squid
Not every large or eye-catching squid is guaranteed to be fresh and delicious. When buying, you should check everything from appearance and firmness to smell and the condition of the head and tentacles to avoid purchasing poor quality products.
- Only looking at size and ignoring firmness: Large squid is not necessarily fresh. Gently press the body to check elasticity, prioritizing those with firm flesh that quickly returns to its original shape.
- Not checking the eyes and tentacles: Only observing the body color can cause you to miss many important signs. The eyes should be clear and bright; the tentacles and arms must be firm, adhering relatively tightly to the head.
- Buying pre-processed or pre-shredded squid: Cut or shredded squid makes it difficult to accurately assess freshness through the eyes, tentacles, and body. If possible, choose whole squid for easier quality checks.
- Confusing natural fresh squid with treated squid: Squid that is too bright, unnaturally shiny, or holds color unnaturally needs to be carefully inspected. Priority should be given to products of clear origin without strange odors.
See also: What is fake squid? Simple ways to identify fake dried squid
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs to identify chemical-soaked squid?
It is impossible to determine for sure if squid has been soaked in chemicals just with the naked eye. However, you should be cautious with squid that has an unusually white color or unnatural shine, strange odor, slimy surface, or retains its color for too long compared to natural fresh squid. For peace of mind, you should choose whole squid with a clear origin and buy from a reputable establishment.
Why is the purchased squid mushy and not chewy and crispy when cooked?
Mushy squid can stem from the fact that the squid is no longer fresh enough, has been frozen and thawed multiple times, or was stored improperly. In addition to the quality of the ingredients, cooking time also affects the texture of the meat; cooking too long can make the squid lose its firmness or become tough. Therefore, you should choose fresh squid and cook it until just done to preserve its natural sweetness and crispiness.
How much squid is enough to eat, and is it good for your health?
Squid provides protein, vitamin B12, selenium, copper, and some unsaturated fats, so it can be part of a balanced diet. However, there is no fixed serving size suitable for everyone; the amount consumed should be adjusted according to nutritional needs and the total daily portion. People with seafood allergies should avoid squid, while those with medical conditions or special diets should consult a nutritionist.
See also:
- Update on the latest fresh squid price list of all types
- Update on the latest Quang Ninh fresh squid price list
- How much is the price of fresh squid in Hanoi? Latest update 2026
Hopefully, through the above sharing, you have learned how to choose fresh squid and gained more experience in identifying delicious, firm, and safe squid before purchasing. If you want to enjoy quality dried squid products, you can contact Ola Squid for advice on the right product. With a variety of whole dried squid in many sizes, Ola Squid makes it easy for you to choose your favorite squid to prepare and enjoy at home.
