What is Squid? How to Distinguish and Expert Tips for Selection

Squid is a frequent presence in Vietnamese family meals thanks to its natural sweetness and ease of preparation into many attractive dishes. However, not everyone knows clearly what squid is, how to distinguish it from other types of squid, or how to choose fresh squid. In the article below, Ola Squid will help you learn more about squid, from identifying characteristics and nutritional value to how to choose, prepare, and suggestions for delicious dishes that are easy to make at home.

What is squid?

Squid is a group of marine cephalopods belonging to the phylum Mollusca, class Cephalopoda. In English, it is commonly called Squid, featuring a characteristic elongated body, white flesh, and a natural crunch. This is a popular type of squid, used in many dishes such as steaming, grilling, frying, stir-frying, or stuffing with meat.

Identifying characteristics of squid

Squid has a quite characteristic shape, so you can easily identify it with the naked eye. When choosing fresh squid, pay attention to the following characteristics:

• Tube-shaped body: The squid’s body is elongated, round, and has thinner flesh than broad squid. Fresh squid usually has a plump, firm body with good elasticity.
• Tail fin: The fin is located at the end of the body, starting from around the middle of the body and extending towards the tail, creating a shape close to a diamond.
• Arms and tentacles: Squid has 8 short arms and 2 long tentacles, of which the two tentacles are usually more prominent in length.
• Eyes: Fresh squid’s eyes are usually large, clear, bright, and shiny. Cloudy or sunken eyes can be a sign that the squid has been kept for a long time.
• Tiny spots on the skin: The skin surface has many small pink or brown spots, which can shimmer when the squid is fresh. These spots are usually clearer when observed on the outer skin of the squid.
• Color: Fresh squid has a shiny skin layer, a milky white body interspersed with natural dark brown areas. The color should not be too pale or show abnormal signs.

Distinguishing squid from other types of squid

Squid is easy to recognize thanks to its long, round body and the fin located towards the end of the body. However, when placed next to cuttlefish, broad squid, or egg squid, the differences will be clearer in shape, meat thickness, and culinary preparation.

Squid type	Shape characteristics	Meat characteristics	Popular uses
Squid	Elongated, round, tube-like body; fin located towards the end of the body.	White flesh, tender-crispy, relatively thin.	Steaming, grilling, stir-frying, frying, stuffing with meat.
Cuttlefish	Oval body, broad and thick; with a hard internal cuttlebone.	Thick, firm, crispy meat.	Making squid paste, steaming, stir-frying, frying.
Broad squid	Short, wide body like a leaf; fins running along both sides of the body.	Thick, crispy, sweet meat.	Grilling, steaming, stir-frying, hotpot dipping.
Egg squid	Small body, filled with many eggs inside during spawning season.	Soft meat, rich and buttery eggs.	Steaming, frying, grilling, simmering.

See more: How to distinguish broad squid and squid? Which one to choose? 

Classification of squid and current prices

Squid is usually classified by size or number of pieces/kg, where fewer pieces/kg mean larger individual sizes and usually higher prices. The price also changes depending on freshness, season, harvesting region, and preservation method. Below is a reference price list for easy visualization: 

Classification	Number of pieces/kg	Reference price	Characteristics/Suitable needs
Small size squid	Over 20 pieces/kg	150,000 – 250,000 VND/kg	Small body, suitable for stir-frying, deep-frying, simmering, or daily cooking.
Medium size squid	10 – 20 pieces/kg	260,000 – 350,000 VND/kg	Moderate size, suitable for steaming, grilling, stir-frying, or stuffing with meat.
Large size squid	5 – 10 pieces/kg	350,000 – 450,000 VND/kg	Large body, thicker meat, suitable for grilling, steaming, or making stuffed dishes.
Special size squid	2 – 4 pieces/kg	Around 400,000 VND/kg or more	Large size, attractive appearance, thick meat, often chosen for grilling, steaming, or restaurants.

Regarding origin, squid is commonly harvested in many sea areas of Vietnam such as Phu Quoc, Khanh Hoa, Phan Thiet, and Central coastal regions.

Popular sea areas	Squid source characteristics	Reference price range
Phu Quoc	Line-caught squid, many sizes, crispy and naturally sweet flesh.	Around 280,000 – 450,000 VND/kg.
Phan Thiet	Diverse sizes, from small squid to large squid.	Around 250,000 – 370,000 VND/kg.
Khanh Hoa	Squid source serving both domestic consumption and processing.	Around 290,000 – 370,000 VND/kg
Central coastal regions	Abundant squid sources, prices depend on season and harvest output.	Prices vary by source. Wide price range from 200,000 – 450,000 VND/kg

See also: 

• Update the latest fresh squid price list of all types
• Detailed price update of each type of dried squid

Nutritional composition of squid

Squid provides many essential nutrients for the body, especially protein and certain vitamins and minerals. Specifically:

• Protein: A high-quality protein source that helps supplement energy and supports muscle maintenance and development.
• Copper: Participates in red blood cell production, energy metabolism, and nervous system function maintenance.
• Phosphorus: Contributes to maintaining strong bones and teeth, and is involved in energy metabolism.
• Vitamin B12: Essential for red blood cell formation and maintaining normal nervous system function.

Thanks to these nutrients, squid can become part of a diverse and balanced diet. However, the actual benefits also depend on the portion size and culinary preparation; steamed, boiled, or grilled dishes are often more suitable than deep-fried ones.

See more: How many calories are in squid? How to eat without worrying about gaining weight

Who should not eat squid?

• People with seafood allergies: Should avoid eating squid if you have ever had an allergic reaction after using seafood.
• People with sensitive constitutions: If your body easily reacts to seafood, you should eat a moderate amount and monitor the reaction after consumption.
• People undergoing allergy treatment: If you are taking medication or receiving allergy treatment, you should ask your doctor about foods to avoid during this time.

See more: What squid should not be eaten with? Foods to avoid combining with squid

What are some delicious dishes made from squid?

Squid has crispy meat and natural sweetness, making it very easy to combine with many spices and ingredients. From light steamed dishes to rich fried, stir-fried, or grilled dishes, squid can be flexibly transformed to suit your family’s taste.

Tips for quick and odor-free prep of squid

First, gently pull the squid head away from the body, remove the ink sac, viscera, and transparent gladius (backbone), then wash thoroughly. From the head part, remove the eyes and squid beak, then gently rub the entire body with salt or crushed ginger to reduce the fishy odor. Finally, rinse quickly with clean water and pat completely dry with a paper towel before cooking to help the squid maintain its crunch and prevent releasing too much water.

See more: How to clean squid quickly and simply for authentic delicious dishes

Delicious squid dishes you should try

If you don’t know what delicious dishes can be made from squid yet, you can try these familiar culinary preparations below. 

Steamed squid with ginger and lemongrass

Steamed squid with ginger and lemongrass is a simple choice but still preserves the natural sweetness of squid. The steam helps the squid cook quickly, leaving the flesh firm and crispy without being dry. This dish is best enjoyed hot with a sour and spicy dipping sauce.

Crispy fried squid

The squid is coated in a thin layer of batter and then fried until golden and crispy on the outside. The meat inside still retains its softness, sweetness, and does not become dry if fried at the right temperature. This dish is ideal when served with chili sauce or mayonnaise.

Fried squid with garlic fish sauce

The golden fried squid is coated with a rich, aromatic garlic fish sauce. The salty and sweet taste of fish sauce combined with fried garlic makes the dish more appealing without overpowering the natural sweetness of the squid. 

Fried stuffed squid with meat

Squid has a pouch-shaped body, making it highly suitable for stuffing with seasoned minced meat. After frying or pan-searing, the outer squid skin contracts, revealing a soft, fragrant meat filling inside. When sliced into rings, the dish is both visually appealing and easy to eat.

Stir-fried squid with sate sauce

Stir-fried squid with sate sauce features a spicy, aromatic taste and an eye-catching color. The squid only needs a quick stir-fry over high heat to retain its crunchiness, avoiding cooking too long which makes the meat rubbery. You can add onions or bell peppers to balance the dish.

Stir-fried squid with vegetables

Combining squid with carrots, onions, celery, or bell peppers creates a colorful dish. Vegetables help balance the sweetness and crunchiness of the squid, while also making the dish lighter. This is a suitable choice for daily family meals.

Grilled squid with sate sauce

The squid is marinated with sate sauce and some spices, then grilled until the body contracts and releases a fragrant aroma. The light spiciness mixed with natural sweetness creates a flavorful dish, highly suitable for gatherings. You should grill it just until cooked through so that the squid does not become dry and rubbery.

Frequently asked questions about squid

How many calories are in squid?

Fresh squid contains about 90-100 kcal/100g, depending on the source material and calculation method. This is a relatively moderate energy level, while squid also provides protein and many essential micronutrients. However, the calorie content of the dish will increase significantly if the squid is deep-fried, battered, or combined with high-sugar sauces.

Which is better, squid or broad squid?

Each type has its own characteristics, so it is difficult to assert which one is better. Squid has an elongated body, crispy meat, and a mild sweet taste, suitable for steaming, stir-frying, deep-frying, or stuffing with meat; while broad squid has a broad body, thick and crispy-sweet meat, particularly suitable for grilling or steaming. If you prefer thick, firm, and crispy meat, you can choose broad squid; but if you want a type of squid that is easy to prepare into many dishes, squid is the right choice.

How many pieces of squid are in 1kg?

The number of pieces in 1kg of squid depends mainly on the size of each piece. For small size, 1kg can range from over 20 pieces; medium size is about 10-20 pieces/kg, while large size is usually under 10 pieces/kg. Therefore, when buying squid, you should ask clearly about the number of pieces/kg or individual sizes to easily choose according to your needs and budget.

Hopefully, through the article above, you have clearly understood what squid is, how to identify, distinguish, and choose fresh squid to prepare at home. If you want to change your menu with dried squid, you can contact Ola Squid – a supplier of a wide variety of dried squid in many sizes, suitable for both family and business needs.