How to make stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid is not too complicated, but to keep the glass noodles from getting mushy, the squid from becoming too chewy, and the spices evenly absorbed, careful attention is needed at each stage. With just a few easy-to-find ingredients and about 30–40 minutes of preparation, you can complete a delicious plate of dried squid stir-fried with glass noodles right at home. Let’s explore together with Ola Squid!

Ingredients for stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid

To ensure the stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid have a balanced flavor, you should prepare all the main ingredients, including glass noodles, dried squid, vegetables, and basic spices. The measurements below are suitable for about 3–4 people and can be adjusted to suit your family’s taste.

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 100–120g
Dong glass noodles 250g
Carrot 1 small
Bok choy or choy sum 200g
Onion 1/2 bulb
Fresh or dried shiitake mushrooms 100g
Green onions 3–4 stalks
Garlic 3 cloves
Shallots 2 bulbs
Cooking oil 2–3 tbsp
Soy sauce 1–1.5 tbsp
Oyster sauce 1 tbsp
Sugar 1/2 tsp
Ground black pepper 1/2 tsp
Salt 1/3 tsp

Dried squid is the ingredient that determines the quality of the dish. You should prioritize whole dried squid with an intact body, moderate thickness, and clear origin. When grilled and shredded, high-quality squid will have a characteristic aroma, natural sweetness, and a moderate chewy-crispy texture. Ola Squid currently offers a range of whole dried squid in various sizes, of which the unseasoned whole squid is perfect for stir-frying, simmering, or processing according to your family’s taste.

Squid, glass noodles, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and vegetables are the main ingredients making up stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid
Squid, glass noodles, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and vegetables are the main ingredients making up stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid

How to choose delicious dried squid for stir-frying with glass noodles

Not every type of dried squid is suitable for stir-frying. If the squid is too dry, too thin, or has lost its natural aroma, it can easily become tough and hard when cooked on the pan for a long time. Therefore, before starting the recipe for stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid, you should take the time to choose quality ingredients.

Criteria for choosing delicious dried squid

To ensure the stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid are delicious and not tough, you should choose high-quality dried squid. When buying dried squid, you can rely on the following criteria:

  • Natural color: Delicious dried squid has a light pink or natural pink color, with a characteristic white powdery layer on its back. The color should not be too dark, patchy, or show abnormal signs.
  • Intact body: Prioritize squid with a straight, moderately thick body, and relatively intact head and tentacles. Whole squid is also convenient for grilling and shredding to make stir-fried dishes.
  • Moderate dryness: The squid should be dry and firm to the touch but not too hard. When pressed gently, the squid body should have a certain elasticity and not feel damp or sticky.
  • Characteristic aroma: Delicious squid has the natural aroma of dried seafood, without any foul, fishy, ammoniacal, or strange odors.
  • Thick, moderately chewy flesh: When grilled, the squid should be tender, easy to shred into fibers, and retain its natural chewy-crispy texture.
  • Clear origin: You should choose carefully packaged dried squid that includes information about origin, manufacturing date, expiration date, and storage instructions to easily control product quality.
Delicious dried squid has a natural light yellow-pink color, covered with a thin layer of white powder on the outside
Delicious dried squid has a natural light yellow-pink color, covered with a thin layer of white powder on the outside


Signs to avoid

You should avoid products that show abnormal signs such as:

  • The squid has a foul, ammoniacal, or unusually strong odor instead of the characteristic aroma of dried squid.
  • The squid body is damp, slimy, or shows signs of leaking moisture.
  • The color is too white, too red, or unusually uneven.
  • The squid body is broken, torn, or the head and tentacles easily fall off.
  • The product has no information regarding origin, ingredients, manufacture date, or expiry date.

Especially with pre-packaged dried squid, you should carefully check the packaging before purchasing. Products with clear information will help users easily trace the origin and be more proactive in storage and usage.

Choose packaged dried squid with clear origin to ensure safety

Dried squid is a food that has undergone processing and drying, so storage conditions directly affect its quality. Therefore, instead of choosing products of unknown origin based solely on low prices, you should prioritize carefully packaged squid with clear product information and storage instructions.

The whole dried squid products from Ola Squid are 100% dried squid, unseasoned, of Vietnamese origin, with expiration date and storage details printed on the packaging.

See also: Discover the production process of delicious, standard dried squid

Step-by-step guide on how to make stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid

After preparing all the ingredients, you can start making the dish with the steps below:

Step 1: Grilling and shredding dried squid

Grill the whole dried squid over a charcoal stove, gas stove, or air fryer at medium heat until it becomes fragrant and curls slightly. Avoid grilling for too long, as the squid will become dry and tough, making it hard to soften during the subsequent stir-frying step.

After grilling, let the squid cool slightly, then use your hands or a rolling tool to gently flatten it to make the meat softer and more tender. Shred the squid into bite-sized fibers; do not shred too finely as it can easily dry out and get lost among the glass noodles when stir-fried.

Grill whole dried squid on a charcoal stove and shred it
Grill whole dried squid on a charcoal stove and shred it

See also: 5 ways to grill delicious dried squid with authentic flavor right at home

Step 2: Preparing the ingredients

Rinse the dong glass noodles quickly under water, then soak them in warm water for about 5–7 minutes, depending on the type of noodles. Once the glass noodles are soft, take them out, rinse with cool water, and drain completely. You can toss the glass noodles with a little cooking oil to prevent them from sticking together.

Peel and julienne the carrot. Thinly slice the onion into wedges. Wash the bok choy, drain, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Wash the shiitake mushrooms; if using dried ones, soak them to expand, then squeeze out excess water before slicing.

Minced the garlic and shallots; cut the green onions into segments. You can prepare the sauce beforehand by mixing soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and a pinch of pepper so that the seasoning is distributed more evenly during stir-frying.

Prepare glass noodles and accompanying vegetables
Prepare glass noodles and accompanying vegetables

Step 3: Frying and stir-frying dried squid

Place a pan on the stove, add a little cooking oil, and sauté the shallots and garlic until fragrant. Once they release their aroma, add the shredded dried squid and stir-fry quickly over medium heat. Toss the squid for about 1–2 minutes to allow it to absorb the oil and become more fragrant, then season with a small amount of soy sauce and pepper. Do not add too much seasoning at this step because the remaining sauce will be used when stir-frying the glass noodles.

Once the squid is slightly firm and fragrant, transfer it to a separate plate. This method prevents the squid from being exposed to heat for too long, thereby reducing toughness.

Stir-fry the squid to create a chewy-crispy texture before stir-frying with glass noodles
Stir-fry the squid to create a chewy-crispy texture before stir-frying with glass noodles

Step 4: Stir-frying vegetables

Using the remaining oil in the pan, add carrots, mushrooms, and onions to stir-fry first. When the vegetables start to become tender, add the greens (bok choy) and toss quickly.

Vegetables should only be stir-fried until just cooked to retain their crispness and natural color. If the pan is too dry, you can add 1–2 tablespoons of water instead of adding more oil. Once the vegetables are just tender, add all the glass noodles to the pan.

Use chopsticks or tongs to gently lift and toss the glass noodles from the bottom up to prevent the strands from breaking. Drizzle the prepared sauce and toss evenly so the seasoning coats the glass noodles.

Stir-fry vegetables separately until just cooked
Stir-fry vegetables separately until just cooked

Step 5: Incorporate the stir-fried squid and serve

When the glass noodles are firm, well-seasoned, and the vegetables are cooked through, return the stir-fried dried squid to the pan. Toss quickly over medium heat for about 1 minute to allow the ingredients to blend together. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Finally, add the green onions and a pinch of ground pepper, toss well, and turn off the heat.

Delicious stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid will feature soft yet chewy, loose glass noodles that do not clump; fragrant, moderately chewy squid, and vegetables that retain their crispness. When eating, you will taste the natural sweetness of the dried squid combined with the rich flavor of the sauce and the lightness of the vegetables.

Stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid - a rich, unique dish with chewy, soft noodles blending with the sweetness of dried squid.
Stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid – a rich, unique dish with chewy, soft noodles blending with the sweetness of dried squid.

See more delicious stir-fried dried squid recipes:

Secrets to making stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid as delicious as in restaurants

A delicious plate of stir-fried glass noodles depends not only on the ingredients but also on how each ingredient is processed. Below are some tips you should apply to make the dried squid stir-fried with glass noodles even more delicious.

Tips to keep glass noodles from sticking or becoming too mushy

Do not soak the glass noodles in water for too long. Only soak until the strands are just soft, then remove them immediately. After that, rinse with cool water and drain well before putting them into the pan. When stir-frying, use chopsticks to toss gently instead of continuously stirring vigorously. If the glass noodles tend to stick, you can add a little cooking oil or 1–2 tablespoons of water during the stir-frying process to keep the strands loose.

Boil glass noodles until just cooked to keep them from falling apart
Boil glass noodles until just cooked to keep them from falling apart

How to prevent squid from becoming tough and hard?

Dried squid should be grilled just enough to release its aroma, then shredded before stir-frying. When adding it to the pan, stir-fry quickly and then transfer it out. Only return the squid to the pan with the glass noodles at the very end. If you stir-fry the squid from the very beginning and leave it on the pan for too long, the squid meat can easily become dry and much tougher.

Frying shredded squid before stir-frying and tossing with glass noodles helps keep the dish from breaking apart and adds a crispy texture
Frying shredded squid before stir-frying and tossing with glass noodles helps keep the dish from breaking apart and adds a crispy texture

How to season so that the glass noodles are flavorful and the squid is not bland?

You should not add all the seasonings directly to the glass noodles from the start; instead, divide the seasonings into two parts: a small portion to flavor and season the squid, and the remaining portion to make a sauce that evenly coats the glass noodles and vegetables.

When adding the glass noodles to the pan, you should drizzle the sauce slowly while tossing. This helps the seasoning cling to the noodles better without making some parts overly salty. Finally, taste again before turning off the stove to adjust to your family’s preference.

See also: Suggestions for 7 delicious stir-fried dried squid dishes that everyone will love 

FAQ – Frequently asked questions when making stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid

What kind of glass noodles should be used for stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid?

Dong glass noodles are the suitable choice for stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid because the strands are chewy, translucent, and hold their texture well when stir-fried. You should choose medium-sized glass noodles that are not too thin to minimize the risk of them breaking during cooking.

How to stir-fry glass noodles without them drying out?

You should let the glass noodles drain but not allow the strands to dry out completely, and prepare enough sauce to evenly coat the noodles. During the stir-frying process, if you notice the noodles starting to dry, you can add a little filtered water or broth. However, only add a tiny amount at a time to avoid making the dish soggy.

How long can cooked stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid keep, and how should they be stored?

Stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid are best enjoyed immediately after cooking. If there are leftovers, let the dish cool slightly, then place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When reheating, make sure to heat it thoroughly and only take out the portion you intend to eat.

Do not leave stir-fried glass noodles at room temperature for an extended period, especially in hot weather. For cooked dishes, prioritize consuming them early to ensure quality and taste.

Can fresh squid be used instead of dried squid?

Yes. You can use fresh squid to make stir-fried glass noodles; however, you need to be careful during processing because the liquid released from fresh squid can soften the glass noodles..

With simple ingredients and uncomplicated cooking steps, the above recipe for stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid will help you create a delicious, flavorful dish that is easy to make right at home.

If you are looking for ingredients to make dried squid stir-fried with glass noodles, you can refer to the whole dried squid product lines from Ola Squid. The brand currently offers various sizes of whole dried squid, from small to large, catering to many different culinary needs.

Rate this post
This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.