Where to Buy Delicious Van Don Dried Squid at a Good Price

Van Don line-caught dried squid is harvested from the pristine waters of Quang Ninh using traditional line-fishing methods, ensuring each squid is thick-fleshed, deeply sweet, and naturally fragrant. Not only a famous specialty, this type of squid is also an excellent choice for drinking sessions, braised dishes, grilling, or simply enjoying with chili sauce. In this article, let’s join Ola Squid to learn more details about the types of Van Don line-caught dried squid, their nutritional value, how to choose and buy them, as well as reputable addresses!

1. Introduction to Van Don line-caught dried squid

Van Don line-caught dried squid is a famous specialty from the coastal region of Quang Ninh, processed by local people using traditional methods. The selected squids are all fresh and firm, then carefully processed to remove the entrails, ink sacs, and other parts, keeping only the body and head.

Afterward, the squid is sun-dried or gently dehydrated to maintain a beautiful color, full natural sweetness, and characteristic aroma. With a thick body, firm meat, and natural ivory-white color, Van Don line-caught dried squid is both an attractive dish and an ideal choice for gifts, thanks to its rich flavor and high quality.

2. Distinguishing common types of Van Don dried squid

Van Don dried squid is divided into two popular types as follows:

Line-caught dried squid

Van Don line-caught squid is caught using traditional line-fishing methods, suitable for squids that live freely and move frequently in the ocean. Immediately after being caught, the squid remains fresh, then is carefully processed by removing the gut and internal organs, and hung on poles to dry instead of on mats. This drying method helps the squid body stay straight and aesthetically pleasing, with thick and chewy meat, bringing a characteristic natural sweet flavor.

Trawl-caught dried squid

In contrast, trawled dried squid is caught using trawling equipment, suitable for squids that swim less and live mainly in one place. The trawling process usually lasts 5-6 hours, which prevents the squid from staying as fresh as line-caught squid. After processing, the squid is dried on mats with large mesh nets, so the body is often curved and shows indentations; the meat is thinner but still ensures the characteristic flavor.

3. Nutritional value of Van Don line-caught dried squid

Line-caught dried squid is not only delicious but also brings many health benefits including:

• Rich in protein: With about 60g of protein in 100g of dried squid, it provides abundant protein, helping muscle development and providing energy for the body.
• Low in fat: Contains only about 4.5g of fat/100g, suitable for dieters or those maintaining a healthy eating regime.
• Provides essential minerals: Dried squid contains many trace minerals such as zinc, manganese, selenium, iron, and magnesium, supporting immune enhancement, improving blood circulation, and bone and joint care.

• Vitamin B12 and natural hormones: Help strengthen nervous health, enhance vitality, and support body functions.
• Supports comprehensive health: In addition to benefits for muscles and bones, the nutrients in dried squid are also good for the skin, increase resistance, and maintain a healthy physical state.
• Convenient and easy to store: Not only delicious, but dried squid is also easy to store, suitable for many processing methods from grilling and frying to stir-frying, bringing a nutritious and convenient dish.

4. Guide to choosing standard Van Don line-caught dried squid

Below are some identification signs to buy quality line-caught dried squid that you should not miss:

• Origin: Squid caught directly from the Van Don sea area – where the seawater is clear blue, moderately salty, and rich in seafood. Only fresh, thick-fleshed squids are selected for processing.
• Appearance: Grade 1 dried squid has a straight body, thick meat, a white belly, and a natural light pink back with faint black dots. The squid body feels firm in hand, not cracked, not dusty, and maintains its shape after drying.
• Aroma and natural powder layer: Dried squid has a characteristic aroma, not smelly or burnt. The layer of white powder on the squid’s body is thick; when grilled, it still retains a light pink color, is chewy and naturally sweet, without being fishy.
• Moisture and preservation: Standard dried squid has a moisture content of about 25-30%, enough to store for a long time without getting moldy or overly dry. When touched, the squid does not wet the hands and maintains flexibility and softness.
• Elasticity: When gently squeezed, the dried squid body returns to its original shape, not broken or cracked, proving that the drying and preservation process was correct.
• Reputable source: Choose to buy from trustworthy brands, check that the expiration date is still far away, and prioritize products highly rated for quality.
• Flavor: When grilled or processed, Van Don dried squid retains its natural sweet, fragrant, and chewy taste.

5. Price of Van Don line-caught dried squid

Van Don dried squid comes in many types with different sizes and quantities of pieces/kg, so the price also fluctuates depending on each type. Below is a reference table to help you easily choose a product that suits your needs and budget:

Note that the above prices may change according to the season, supply source, and shipping costs. If you have acquaintances in Van Don, you can ask them to buy directly to both save costs and ensure the quality of fresh, delicious squid.

See more: Where to buy high-quality Grade 1 Quang Ninh dried squid?

6. How to cook Van Don line-caught dried squid properly

Grilled dried squid

Grilling is a simple method but helps maintain the natural sweetness of Van Don line-caught dried squid. You just need to heat up a charcoal stove or an oven, place the dried squid on the grill, and flip it evenly during the grilling process so the squid cooks evenly and avoids burning. When the squid turns a light yellow color and gives off a characteristic aroma, you can enjoy it immediately. To enhance the flavor and fully feel the sweetness of the squid, you can eat it with chili sauce or lemon pepper salt.

Other delicious dishes from line-caught dried squid

In addition to grilling, Van Don line-caught dried squid can also be processed into many other attractive dishes:

• Dried squid stir-fried with sate or garlic and chili: Slice the squid into bite-sized pieces, stir-fry quickly over high heat with minced garlic, chili, and sate to maintain chewiness and deliciousness.
• Dried squid steamed with beer: Steaming with beer helps the squid become softer, more flavorful, and maintains its natural sweetness.
• Dried squid braised with fish sauce: Gently braise the squid with fish sauce, sugar, and a bit of pepper to create a rich dish, served with hot rice which is very appetizing.
• Enjoy directly: With Grade 1 line-caught dried squid, you can completely enjoy it as a snack, just by grilling or heating over charcoal fire to bring out the aroma, maintaining the natural chewiness and sweetness.

See more:

• 7 delicious stir-fried dried squid dishes everyone loves

• How to cook fragrant and delicious stir-fried dried squid with pineapple

• What to cook with dried squid? Top 15 attractive dishes

7. How to store and use line-caught dried squid to keep the full flavor

Store in the refrigerator/freezer

Van Don line-caught dried squid is a dried product, easy to store, but to maintain the full delicious flavor, you should note the correct preservation method. After buying, put the squid in a plastic bag or an airtight container, avoiding direct contact with air so the squid does not get damp. If you plan to use it for a long time, storing the squid in the freezer will help maintain its chewiness, aroma, and prevent mold. When needed, simply defrost naturally in the refrigerator compartment or at room temperature before processing.

Notes when storing and using

Some notes for storing and using Van Don line-caught dried squid are as follows:

• Avoid letting the squid come into contact with water because it can lose its natural flavor and make the squid easily spoiled.
• Do not leave dried squid in damp places or under direct sunlight because this will reduce the quality, making the squid soft or discolored.
• When processing, you only need to grill, steam, or stir-fry directly without soaking for too long, ensuring the squid maintains its chewiness and natural sweet taste.
• Check the squid before processing; quality dried squid still retains a bright color, is flexible, and has no strange smell.

8. Reliable addresses to buy Van Don line-caught dried squid

If you are a seafood enthusiast, Van Don line-caught dried squid is a specialty not to be missed when visiting Quang Ninh. However, to ensure buying a delicious product with standard Van Don quality, you should choose reputable stores, highly rated by locals and tourists.

Some reliable addresses in Van Don and surrounding areas include:

• Hai san Bay: Area 8, Cai Rong Town, opposite Cai Rong market.
• Phuc Gia Food: Nam Hai, Co To Island, Quang Ninh.
• Hai san Van Don: 399 Ly Anh Tong Street, Cai Rong Town.
• Ha Long Port Fish Market: End of Ha Long 1 Market, Van Xuan, Bach Dang.
• Ben Do Fish Market: Kilometer 4, Dat Do Road, Cam Pha City.

See more:

• Updated dried squid price list in the current market
• Where to buy high-quality dried squid as a Tet gift?

When buying dried squid at these addresses, you can rest assured about the product quality, ensuring the squid is fresh, chewy, and retains the characteristic flavor of Van Don. Line-caught dried squid is an ideal choice to buy as a gift for family and friends.

The above article provides detailed information on classification, how to buy, process, as well as selling prices and addresses for Van Don line-caught dried squid. We hope this article is helpful to you, and to explore more delicious and high-quality types of dried squid such as whole dried squid, seasoned flattened dried squid,… don’t forget to visit olasquid.com/en/shop/ today!