Tiếng Việt
ไทยLeaf squid is one of the most beloved seafoods thanks to its thick, sweet flesh and characteristic crispness. Not only appealing for its flavor, leaf squid is also a versatile ingredient in cooking, from steaming, grilling, and frying to stir-frying, all bringing a delicious and nutritious experience. In this article, let’s explore with Ola Squid in detail about leaf squid, how to distinguish it from tube squid, delicious dishes made from leaf squid, as well as tips for choosing fresh squid and a reputable place to buy it!
What is Leaf Squid? Identification Features
Leaf squid is a type of sea squid with a short, slightly flattened body, and large fins like leaves that spread out to the sides, almost covering the entire length of the body, hence the name. In terms of color, fresh leaf squid usually has a thin skin of brown or pinkish hue when alive, shiny if freshly caught. When cooked, the squid meat turns pinkish-white, thick, chewy, crispy, and intensely sweet, easily distinguishable from other types of squid.
This type of squid typically lives in tropical and subtropical waters, particularly common off the coasts of Central and Southern Vietnam. Thanks to its freshness and ideal meat texture, leaf squid is always a favorite choice for many attractive dishes such as steamed with ginger, grilled with satay, or deep-fried.
Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Leaf Squid
Leaf squid, in addition to its delicious flavor, is also a nutritious food source.
- Contains a high amount of protein along with B vitamins, minerals like selenium, zinc, lipids, phosphorus, copper, etc., which help support nerve function, cell regeneration, boost immunity, and maintain bone and joint health.
- Low saturated fat content, suitable for people needing to control weight or follow a healthy diet.
- For oceanic leaf squid, the nutritional content is even higher as the meat is thick and rich in omega-3, beneficial for cardiovascular health.
- However, leaf squid also contains cholesterol, so individuals with cardiovascular issues, high blood lipids, or seafood allergies should adjust their intake accordingly.
How to Distinguish Leaf Squid from Tube Squid
To choose the right type of squid, you need to know how to compare leaf squid and tube squid based on the following points:
| Criteria | Leaf Squid | Tube Squid |
| Shape | Short, slightly flattened body, with large oval fins that almost wrap around the body, resembling a leaf. | Long, round body, like a tube; small, rhombus-shaped fins at the end of the body. |
| Color | Thick skin, dark brown or metallic blue when alive. | Thin skin, light pinkish-white, can be slightly translucent. |
| Squid Meat | Thick, crispy, and intensely sweet, with distinct muscle fibers. | Thinner meat, slightly crispy, not as sweet as leaf squid but has a chewy texture. |
| Size | Large size, usually bigger than tube squid. | Small to medium size, commonly 10-20cm. |
| Cooking Method | Suitable for dishes requiring preservation of natural sweetness such as steamed squid, stir-fried squid, dried squid. | Suitable for fried dishes, hot pot, stuffed squid, or for garnishing dishes. |
Leaf Squid vs. Tube Squid: Which One to Choose?
Choosing fresh leaf squid or tube squid is not simply about taste, but also depends on the dish you plan to prepare. Tube squid, with its slender body and moderately thin meat, is suitable for dishes that require attractive presentation, such as stir-fries, steaming, or stuffing. Especially, its slight chewiness and soft texture help tube squid maintain its shape during cooking.
Meanwhile, leaf squid stands out with its thick meat, distinct fibers, and rich sweet flavor, making it an ideal choice for grilling, hot pot, or deep-frying. Thanks to its natural crispness and intense sea flavor, leaf squid offers a more complete and appealing culinary experience for dishes requiring bold flavors.
How to Choose Fresh Leaf Squid and How to Store It Properly
How to choose fresh leaf squid:
- Observe the color: Fresh leaf squid usually has a dark brown or milky white color. The skin surface is shiny, evenly colored, and not faded or scratched.
- Check for elasticity: Gently press the squid’s body with your finger. If the flesh is firm and quickly bounces back after releasing your finger, the squid is fresh. Soft, non-elastic squid is a sign of spoilage.
- Examine the tentacles: Fresh squid has small suckers still firmly attached to the tentacles, feeling firm to the touch. If the suckers are detached or the tentacles are limp, the squid is no longer fresh.
- Check the eyes: Fresh squid eyes are clear, bright, and you can see the pupil inside. Cloudy, dull eyes indicate that the squid has been stored for a long time.
How to store leaf squid properly:
- If using within 1-2 days, store the squid in a container with ice or in the refrigerator’s cool compartment, maintaining a stable temperature between 0-4°C.
- If you need to store it for a longer period, wash the squid thoroughly, drain it, seal it in a bag or vacuum-seal it, then freeze it at -18°C or below.
- When thawing, it is best to let the squid thaw naturally in the refrigerator’s cool compartment. Avoid soaking in hot water or using a microwave, as this will make the squid mushy and lose its natural crispness and sweetness.
Delicious Dishes Made from Leaf Squid
Leaf squid is a very versatile ingredient, suitable for cooking in many different ways. Here are some dishes made from leaf squid:
Steamed Leaf Squid with Ginger
One of the simplest yet most flavorful ways to prepare leaf squid is steaming it with ginger. The squid is cleaned and steamed to perfection with a few slices of fresh ginger and a pinch of salt. This way, each piece of squid retains its natural crispness and sweetness, with a mild, slightly spicy ginger aroma that helps eliminate any fishiness and enhance the flavor. This dish is best enjoyed with chili salt or ginger fish sauce.
Grilled Leaf Squid with Satay
Fresh leaf squid is marinated with satay, garlic, chili, and a little seasoning to absorb evenly, then grilled over charcoal or on a grill. The outside is lightly charred and fragrant, while the inside remains moist, sweet, and characteristically chewy. The spicy flavor of satay combined with the sweet and rich taste of the squid creates a dish that is both rich and stimulates the palate.
Crispy Fried Leaf Squid
Leaf squid is cut into bite-sized pieces, lightly marinated, coated in flour, and then quickly fried in hot oil. The result is a golden, crispy exterior that encloses the thick, sweet, and tender squid meat inside. Served with chili sauce, mayonnaise, or ketchup, this crispy fried dish is sure to be loved by both adults and children.
Curry Stir-fried Leaf Squid
If you enjoy flavorful dishes, curry stir-fried leaf squid will be the perfect choice. The squid meat is stir-fried with a curry sauce mixture made from coconut milk, onions, garlic, and spices, creating a rich aroma, mild spiciness, and creamy richness. The sweet and crisp texture of the squid combined with the rich and spicy curry makes the dish incredibly appealing, especially when served with hot rice or bread.
How Much Does Leaf Squid Cost? Where to Buy Leaf Squid Reputably?
Leaf squid is a popular seafood thanks to its thick, naturally sweet flesh and rich flavor when cooked. In the current market, the price of fresh leaf squid varies depending on the size, quality, and freshness of the product.
Small leaf squid (about 3-4 pieces/kg) costs around 320,000 VND/kg, while large squid (from 0.5kg each or more) costs from 380,000 VND/kg. Additionally, some grade 1 fresh squid, sized at 6 pieces/kg, can cost up to 400,000 VND/kg, and large leaf squid ranging from 0.5–3kg per piece are priced between 400,000 VND and 550,000 VND/kg.
However, what is more important is choosing a reputable place to buy leaf squid. Amidst the diverse seafood market today, choosing a reputable and quality supplier for leaf squid is not easy. To ensure your health and have a complete culinary experience, you should buy from stores, large wholesale markets specializing in clean seafood, which are properly stored, have clear origins, and good customer reviews.
And if you are looking for a place that supplies fresh, clean, delicious, and high-quality dried leaf squid, Ola Squid is an unmissable choice. Dried leaf squid at Ola Squid are carefully selected from naturally caught squid and processed according to food safety standards to retain their natural sweetness and characteristic chewiness, with absolutely no preservatives used. The product is suitable for gifts or for enjoying in family meals.
Leaf squid is not only a familiar seafood in Vietnamese family meals but also an ideal ingredient for preparing many delicious and attractive dishes. If you are looking for a place to buy delicious, high-quality, safe, and well-priced dried leaf squid, contact Ola Squid immediately via hotline 0989.616.989.
