Dried squid can be prepared in various ways, ranging from fragrant grilling and rich stir-frying to braising or tossing in sweet and sour salads. Each method creates a unique flavor, making dried squid a familiar ingredient in family meals. If you are wondering what delicious dishes to make with dried squid, let’s join Ola Squid explore these easy-to-make recipes that suit various palates right in the article below!

Grilled and stir-fried dried squid dishes

Grilled and stir-fried dried squid are both easy to make, delicious, and flavorful. Here are 4 preparation methods you can try right at home.

Traditional grilled dried squid

Traditional grilled dried squid is a simple preparation method that best highlights the natural sweetness and distinct aroma of the squid.

Prepared ingredients:

  • 1 dried squid
  • Grill rack, gas stove (or charcoal stove)

The quick and simple steps are as follows:

Step 1 – Heat the stove: Turn on the stove to medium heat, avoiding excessively high flames as this will easily burn the outside of the squid while the inside is not yet evenly heated.

Grilling squid over medium heat, turning hands continuously
Grilling squid over medium heat, turning hands continuously

Step 2 – Grill the squid: Place the squid on the rack and grill it directly over the fire. During grilling, remember to turn it evenly and continuously so that the squid turns uniformly golden on both sides and emits an appealing aroma.

Shredding or cutting into bite-sized pieces
Shredding or cutting into bite-sized pieces

Step 3 – Shred or cut the squid: Depending on the thickness of the squid, the grilling time usually ranges from 3-5 minutes. When you see the squid turn a nice golden color and release an aroma, let it cool, then use a pestle to pound it gently to make the squid softer before shredding it into strips or cutting it into bite-sized pieces.

>>> See details: How to grill delicious dried squid right at home

Dried squid stir-fried with salt and chili

Dried squid stir-fried with salt and chili is appealing due to the savory and spicy seasoning coating the outside, combined with the distinctive chewy and crunchy texture of the squid. The mild spicy flavor of the chili makes the dish richer, more addictive with every bite, and very suitable for gatherings.

Ingredients to prepare: 

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 1 piece
Crispy frying flour 70g
Chicken egg 1 piece
Minced garlic 10g
Fresh chili 1-2 pieces
Cooking oil 100ml
Sugar 1 teaspoon
Seasoning powder 1/2 teaspoon
MSG 1/3 teaspoon
Ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon
Salt 1/4 teaspoon
Chili sauce 10g

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the squid in warm water until soft, then wash it clean, let it drain, and shred it into bite-sized pieces.

Properly preparing dried squid helps it become softer and absorb spices more easily during cooking
Properly preparing dried squid helps it become softer and absorb spices more easily during cooking

Step 2 – Coat with flour and fry the squid: Beat the chicken egg, dip the squid into the egg, and then coat it with a layer of crispy frying flour. Afterward, fry the squid in hot oil until lightly golden and crispy on the outside, then take it out to drain.

The squid is coated with flour and lightly fried to create an attractive crispy and fragrant outer layer
The squid is coated with flour and lightly fried to create an attractive crispy and fragrant outer layer

Step 3 – Make the salt and chili mixture: Sauté garlic with a little cooking oil until fragrant, then add salt, sugar, seasoning powder, pepper, chili sauce, and fresh chili, stirring well over low heat.

The salt and chili mixture is cooked just enough to release aroma and create a rich flavor for the dish
The salt and chili mixture is cooked just enough to release aroma and create a rich flavor for the dish

Step 4 – Stir-fry the squid: Put the fried squid into the pan, stir well for about 2-3 minutes so the seasoning mixture clings to each piece of squid. When the squid absorbs the flavors, releases a fragrant aroma, and has a nice color, turn off the stove and enjoy.

Completed stir-fried dried squid with salt and chili with a beautiful golden color, rich spicy-salty taste, and appealing crunchiness
Completed stir-fried dried squid with salt and chili with a beautiful golden color, rich spicy-salty taste, and appealing crunchiness

Dried squid stir-fried with garlic butter

Dried squid stir-fried with garlic butter is one of the delicious dishes made from dried squid, featuring the rich and buttery taste blended with golden fried garlic, creating a dish that is both flavorful and appealing. The chewy and fragrant squid strips are evenly coated with a sweet-salty garlic butter sauce, making it very suitable for snacking or serving with hot rice.

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 2 pieces
Unsalted butter 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic 1 tablespoon
Sugar 1 tablespoon
Chili fish sauce 1 tablespoon
Cooking oil 2 tablespoons

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the dried squid in warm water for about 10-15 minutes until soft, then wash it clean, let it drain, and lightly grill it to bring out the aroma. While the squid is still warm, pound it gently and shred it into bite-sized strips.

Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and shredded into bite-sized strips
Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and shredded into bite-sized strips

Step 2 – Sauté the garlic: Heat cooking oil in a pan, add minced garlic and sauté over low heat until the garlic turns lightly golden and fragrant.

Garlic is fried until golden and fragrant to create the signature flavor for the squid dish
Garlic is fried until golden and fragrant to create the signature flavor for the squid dish

Step 3 – Stir-fry the squid with butter: Put the shredded squid into the pan, stir well over medium heat until the squid firms up. Next, add unsalted butter, sugar, and chili fish sauce, stirring quickly so the seasoning evenly coats each squid strip.

The squid is stir-fried with garlic butter and spices to absorb evenly
The squid is stir-fried with garlic butter and spices to absorb evenly

Step 4 – Completion: Continue stirring for about 2-3 minutes until the squid turns a nice golden color, the garlic butter sauce coats evenly and releases an aroma, then turn off the stove. The dish should be enjoyed while warm to fully experience its chewy texture and appealing buttery richness.

Golden, fragrant, chewy, crunchy, and flavorful garlic butter stir-fried dried squid
Golden, fragrant, chewy, crunchy, and flavorful garlic butter stir-fried dried squid

Dried squid stir-fried with tamarind

Dried squid stir-fried with tamarind stands out with its harmonious sweet and sour taste, a hint of mild chili spice, and the signature chewy aroma of dried squid. The thick tamarind sauce coats every single squid strip, creating a dish that stimulates the appetite and is very easy to eat.

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 2 pieces
Ripe tamarind 50g
Sugar 2 tablespoons
Fish sauce 1 tablespoon
Minced chili 1 teaspoon
Minced garlic 1 teaspoon
Cooking oil 1 tablespoon

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the dried squid in warm water for about 10-15 minutes to soften, then wash and let it drain. You can lightly grill the squid before shredding to enhance the aroma and make it easier to separate into strips.

Dried squid softened and lightly grilled to enhance aroma
Dried squid softened and lightly grilled to enhance aroma

Step 2 – Make tamarind extract: Put the ripe tamarind into a little warm water, mash thoroughly, and then strain through a sieve to get the extract. Afterward, add sugar and fish sauce, stirring well to create a balanced sweet and sour flavor.

Tamarind extract is carefully strained to create a rich sweet and sour sauce
Tamarind extract is carefully strained to create a rich sweet and sour sauce

Step 3 – Cook the tamarind sauce: Sauté garlic and chili with cooking oil until fragrant, then pour the tamarind extract into the pan. Simmer the mixture over low heat until the sauce thickens slightly and releases a rich aroma.

Tamarind sauce simmered over low heat until slightly thick and richly fragrant
Tamarind sauce simmered over low heat until slightly thick and richly fragrant

Step 4 – Stir-fry squid with the sauce: Put the shredded squid into the pan, stir well for about 3-5 minutes so the tamarind sauce coats every squid strip. When the squid absorbs the flavors, the sauce coats evenly and looks appealing, turn off the stove and enjoy while hot.

Completed tamarind stir-fried dried squid with a sweet and sour sauce evenly coating each strip
Completed tamarind stir-fried dried squid with a sweet and sour sauce evenly coating each strip

>>> Similar delicious dish: How to make irresistible sweet and sour tamarind squid

Stir-fried dried squid dishes

Dried squid when combined with vegetables and familiar ingredients creates flavorful and delicious stir-fried dishes. You can flexibly change ingredients so that the dish retains the chewy aroma of the squid while gaining the natural sweetness from vegetables.

Dried squid stir-fried with kohlrabi

Dried squid stir-fried with kohlrabi brings a harmonious combination of the chewy, aromatic squid and the crunchy, sweet kohlrabi. The dish is not too greasy yet flavorful, very suitable to serve with hot rice in family meals.

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 2 pieces
Kohlrabi 1 bulb
Carrot 1/2 bulb
Shallot 1 bulb
Minced garlic 1 teaspoon
Scallion A little
Cooking oil 1 tablespoon
Fish sauce 1 teaspoon
Seasoning powder 1/2 teaspoon
Ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the dried squid in warm water for about 15-20 minutes until soft, then wash, let drain, and lightly grill it. Gently pound the squid and shred it into bite-sized strips.

Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and shredded into strips to prepare for stir-frying
Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and shredded into strips to prepare for stir-frying

Step 2 – Prepare the vegetables: Peel the kohlrabi and carrot, wash and cut them into bite-sized strips. Wash scallions, cut into sections and set aside.

Kohlrabi and carrots cut into bite-sized strips, retaining crunchiness and sweetness when stir-fried
Kohlrabi and carrots cut into bite-sized strips, retaining crunchiness and sweetness when stir-fried

Step 3 – Stir-fry the squid: Sauté shallot and garlic with cooking oil until fragrant, add the squid and stir quickly over medium heat until the squid firms up. Then, season with a little fish sauce and seasoning powder, and transfer the squid to a plate.

Dried squid stir-fried quickly to retain its chewy aroma without becoming tough
Dried squid stir-fried quickly to retain its chewy aroma without becoming tough

Step 4 – Stir-fry kohlrabi and complete: Put kohlrabi and carrots into the pan, stir quickly until the vegetables are just cooked. Afterward, return the squid to the pan, stir well for another 1-2 minutes, adjust seasoning, and sprinkle scallions and ground pepper before turning off the stove.

Completed dried squid stir-fried with kohlrabi featuring crunchy, sweet vegetables and eye-catching colors
Completed dried squid stir-fried with kohlrabi featuring crunchy, sweet vegetables and eye-catching colors

Dried squid stir-fried with onion

Dried squid stir-fried with onion features the signature chewy aroma of squid blended with the mild sweetness and crisp-tender texture of onions. When stir-fried just right, the onions still retain their crunch, the squid absorbs the spices without becoming dry and tough, creating a simple yet very appetizing dish.

Ingredients to prepare:

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 2 pieces
Onion 2 bulbs
Celery 100-150g
Minced garlic 1 tablespoon
Fresh ginger 1 small branch
White wine 1-2 tablespoons
Oyster sauce 1 tablespoon
Fish sauce 1 teaspoon
Sugar 1 teaspoon
Ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon
Cooking oil 2 tablespoons
Scallions, coriander A little

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the dried squid in warm water for about 15-20 minutes until soft, then wash and let drain. Next, lightly grill the squid, pound gently to soften the meat, and shred into bite-sized strips. You can rub the squid with a little white wine and ginger to reduce any fishy odor.

Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and shredded into strips before stir-frying
Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and shredded into strips before stir-frying

Step 2 – Prepare onions and vegetables: Peel the onions, wash and cut into wedge shapes or bite-sized slices. Celery, scallions, and coriander are also washed, cut into sections, and set aside.

Onions and celery prepared in advance
Onions and celery prepared in advance

Step 3 – Stir-fry the squid: Heat a pan with cooking oil, sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add the squid and stir-fry quickly over medium heat. Add oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar, stir well for about 2-3 minutes until the squid firms up and absorbs the spices, then transfer to a plate.

Dried squid stir-fried quickly with garlic and ginger to release aroma
Dried squid stir-fried quickly with garlic and ginger to release aroma

Step 4 – Stir-fry the onions: Put onions into the pan, stir quickly over high heat for about 1-2 minutes so the onions are just cooked while still maintaining their crunchy sweetness. Afterward, add celery and continue stirring evenly.

Onions stir-fried just right to keep their natural crunchy sweetness
Onions stir-fried just right to keep their natural crunchy sweetness

Step 5 – Completion: Return the stir-fried squid to the pan, toss together with onions and celery for about 1 minute. Finally, adjust seasoning to taste, sprinkle pepper, scallions, and coriander, then turn off the stove.

Completed dried squid stir-fried with onion with eye-catching colors, aromatic chewy squid, and crunchy sweet onions
Completed dried squid stir-fried with onion with eye-catching colors, aromatic chewy squid, and crunchy sweet onions

Dried squid stir-fried with cabbage

Dried squid stir-fried with cabbage combines the chewy aroma of squid with crunchy and sweet cabbage, creating a simple yet very rice-friendly dish. When stir-fried quickly over high heat, the cabbage is just cooked, keeping its crunchiness, while the squid absorbs spices without becoming tough.

Ingredients to prepare:

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 2 pieces
Cabbage 300g
Carrot 1/2 bulb
Shallot 1 bulb
Minced garlic 1 teaspoon
Scallion A little
Oyster sauce 1 tablespoon
Fish sauce 1 teaspoon
Seasoning powder 1/2 teaspoon
Ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon
Cooking oil 1-2 tablespoons

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the dried squid in warm water for about 15-20 minutes until soft, then wash and let drain. Next, lightly grill the squid, gently pound to soften the meat, and shred into bite-sized strips.

Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and shredded into strips before stir-frying
Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and shredded into strips before stir-frying

Step 2 – Prepare the cabbage: Separate the cabbage leaves, wash and cut into bite-sized strips. Peel the carrot, wash and slice into thin strips so it cooks quickly.

Cabbage and carrots cut into strips
Cabbage and carrots cut into strips

Step 3 – Stir-fry the squid: Heat a pan with cooking oil, sauté shallot and garlic until fragrant, then add the squid and stir-fry quickly over medium heat. Add a little oyster sauce and fish sauce, stir well until the squid firms up, then transfer to a plate.

Dried squid stir-fried until firm to retain chewy aroma and absorb spices
Dried squid stir-fried until firm to retain chewy aroma and absorb spices

Step 4 – Stir-fry cabbage and carrots: Put carrots and cabbage into the pan, turn up the heat and stir quickly for about 2-3 minutes. Season with seasoning powder and oyster sauce to taste, avoiding over-cooking which makes the cabbage mushy and releases too much water.

Cabbage stir-fried quickly over high heat to keep its crunchy sweetness
Cabbage stir-fried quickly over high heat to keep its crunchy sweetness

Step 5 – Completion: Return the stir-fried squid to the pan, toss well with cabbage for about 1 minute. Finally, sprinkle scallions and ground pepper, adjust seasoning, and turn off the stove.

Crunchy, sweet, flavorful, and delicious dried squid stir-fried with cabbage
Crunchy, sweet, flavorful, and delicious dried squid stir-fried with cabbage

Dried squid stir-fried with dried radish

Dried squid stir-fried with dried radish is a harmonious combination of the chewy, aromatic, and rich flavor of squid with the mild crunch and natural sweetness of dried radish. Adding a bit of dried carrot along with well-balanced spices, the dish features eye-catching colors and rich flavor, perfectly suited to serve with hot rice.

Ingredients to prepare:

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 200g
Dried radish 100g
Dried carrot 50g
Shallot 2 bulbs
Scallion A little
Fresh ginger 1 small branch
White wine 1-2 tablespoons
Fish sauce 1 tablespoon
Seasoning powder 1/2 teaspoon
Sugar 1 teaspoon
Ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon
Cooking oil 2 tablespoons

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the dried squid in warm water until soft, then gently rub it with ginger and a little white wine to reduce fishiness. Afterward, wash clean, let drain, and slice the squid into small, bite-sized strips.

Dried squid soaked until soft, deodorized, and cut into strips before cooking
Dried squid soaked until soft, deodorized, and cut into strips before cooking

Step 2 – Prepare dried radish and carrots: Soak dried radish and dried carrots in warm water for about 20-30 minutes until plump and soft. Then, rinse with clean water and squeeze thoroughly dry so the vegetables retain their crunchiness and prevent the stir-fried dish from becoming too watery.

Dried radish and dried carrots soaked until soft and squeezed dry before stir-frying
Dried radish and dried carrots soaked until soft and squeezed dry before stir-frying

Step 3 – Marinate the squid: Put the squid into a bowl, add a little minced ginger, white wine, fish sauce, seasoning powder, and ground pepper. Mix well and marinate for about 20-30 minutes so the squid absorbs the spices evenly.

Dried squid marinated with spices to absorb evenly and taste richer when stir-fried
Dried squid marinated with spices to absorb evenly and taste richer when stir-fried

Step 4 – Stir-fry the squid: Sauté dried shallots with cooking oil until fragrant, add the squid and stir-fry quickly over medium heat until it firms up and releases an aroma. Then, transfer the squid to a plate to avoid overcooking which makes it tough.

The squid is stir-fried quickly until firm and fragrant, then set aside
The squid is stir-fried quickly until firm and fragrant, then set aside

Step 5 – Stir-fry radish and finish: Put the dried radish and dried carrots into the pan, stir well and season with sugar, fish sauce, and seasoning powder to taste. When the vegetables have absorbed the spices while still maintaining their crunch, return the squid to the pan, toss together for about 1-2 minutes, then add scallions, pepper, and turn off the stove.

Completed dried squid stir-fried with dried radish featuring rich flavor, aromatic chewy squid, and slightly crunchy radish
Completed dried squid stir-fried with dried radish featuring rich flavor, aromatic chewy squid, and slightly crunchy radish

Stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid

Stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid is a wonderful suggestion for those who love rustic flavors that are equally appealing. Each glass noodle strand evenly absorbs the spices, the squid is chewy and sweet, blended in the natural sweetness of vegetables, with a touch of spicy pepper and rich fish sauce making the dish even more captivating.

Ingredients to prepare:

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 400g
Glass noodles 200g
Carrot 2 bulbs
Pak choi 500g
Celery 200g
Garlic 4 cloves
Bird’s eye chili 3 fruits
Oyster sauce 2 tablespoons
Cooking oil 10 tablespoons
Salt 1/2 teaspoon
MSG 1 teaspoon
Sugar 1 teaspoon
Seasoning powder 1 teaspoon
Ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions:

Step 1 – Grill and process dried squid: Grill the dried squid over charcoal or a stove until fragrant and evenly cooked on both sides. Then use a pestle to pound it lightly to make the meat softer, remove any burnt parts, and shred into bite-sized strips. This step helps the squid retain its chewy texture and easily absorb spices when stir-fried.

Lightly grilling and shredding dried squid into bite-sized strips
Lightly grilling and shredding dried squid into bite-sized strips

Step 2 – Prepare ingredients: Peel carrots, wash and shred them. Discard damaged parts of pak choi, wash and cut into bite-sized lengths. Cut celery into small pieces, and finely chop garlic and chili.

Preparing carrots, pak choi, celery, and spices
Preparing carrots, pak choi, celery, and spices

Step 3 – Stir-fry dried squid: Heat a pan with 10 tablespoons of cooking oil, add the shredded squid and stir over low heat for 5 minutes until firm and aromatic. Then sauté garlic and chili with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, add the squid and stir well for another 5-10 minutes until the squid absorbs the flavors and becomes crispy, then turn off the stove.

Stir-frying dried squid with garlic and chili
Stir-frying dried squid with garlic and chili

Step 4 – Stir-fry vegetables: Using the same pan with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, sauté the remaining garlic until golden and fragrant, add carrots and stir-fry first to maintain crunchiness. Then add pak choi, season with oyster sauce and spices to taste. Finally, add celery and stir quickly to retain the vibrant green color and signature aroma.

Stir-frying vegetables until just cooked to retain crunchiness
Stir-frying vegetables until just cooked to retain crunchiness

Step 5 – Mix the glass noodles: Boil water, blanch the glass noodles for about 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent, then remove and drain. Put the glass noodles into a large bowl, add the stir-fried squid and vegetables, and mix thoroughly by hand to complete.

Mixing glass noodles with dried squid and stir-fried vegetables
Mixing glass noodles with dried squid and stir-fried vegetables

Braised and fried dried squid dishes

Braised and fried dishes help dried squid absorb rich spices, creating a glossy, beautiful sauce and an appealing aroma. Below are 4 simple cooking methods suitable for both serving with hot rice and enjoying as a snack.

Dried squid braised with tomato

Dried squid braised with tomato features the chewy, aromatic squid blended with the mild sourness and gentle sweetness of tomatoes in a rich sauce. The thick tomato sauce coats each piece of squid evenly, creating a dish that is both eye-catching and appetizing.

Ingredients to prepare:

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 2 pieces
Tomato 2 fruits
Minced garlic 1 teaspoon
Shallot 1 bulb
Fresh chili 1 fruit
Fish sauce 1 tablespoon
Sugar 1 teaspoon
Chili sauce 1 tablespoon
Cooking oil 1 tablespoon
Ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon
Scallion A little

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the dried squid in warm water for about 15-20 minutes until soft, then wash and let drain. Next, lightly grill the squid, gently pound to soften, and shred or cut into bite-sized pieces.

Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and cut into bite-sized pieces
Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and cut into bite-sized pieces

Step 2 – Make the tomato sauce: Wash the tomatoes and dice them. Sauté shallots and garlic with cooking oil until fragrant, add the tomatoes and stir-fry until soft, then add fish sauce, sugar, and chili sauce.

Tomatoes stir-fried until soft with spices to create a rich sauce
Tomatoes stir-fried until soft with spices to create a rich sauce

Step 3 – Braise the squid: Put the squid into the pan with the tomato sauce, stir well over low heat so the squid absorbs the spices. Continue braising for about 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats evenly around the squid pieces.

Dried squid braised in tomato sauce until evenly absorbed
Dried squid braised in tomato sauce until evenly absorbed

Step 4 – Completion: Add chili and ground pepper, stir quickly, then adjust seasoning to taste. Finally, sprinkle scallions on top, turn off the stove, and enjoy while hot.

Completed dried squid braised with tomato featuring a rich, thick, and delicious sauce
Completed dried squid braised with tomato featuring a rich, thick, and delicious sauce

Fried dried squid with fish sauce

Fried dried squid with fish sauce has a golden, fragrant exterior, remains slightly chewy on the inside, and is soaked in the salty-sweet taste of fish sauce and sugar. Combined with fried garlic and a touch of spicy chili, the dish has an appealing aroma, very suitable for serving with hot rice or as a snacking treat.

Ingredients to prepare: 

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 2 pieces
Fish sauce 1 1/2 tablespoons
Sugar 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic 1 tablespoon
Minced chili 1 teaspoon
Chili sauce 1 tablespoon
Cooking oil 2 tablespoons
Ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the dried squid in warm water for about 15-20 minutes until soft, then wash and let drain. Next, lightly grill the squid, gently pound and shred into strips or cut into bite-sized pieces.

Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and cut into bite-sized pieces
Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and cut into bite-sized pieces

Step 2 – Fry the squid: Heat cooking oil, add the squid and fry quickly over medium heat until lightly golden and firm. Then, take the squid out to drain the oil.

Dried squid fried to a light golden, firm, aromatic state while retaining chewiness
Dried squid fried to a light golden, firm, aromatic state while retaining chewiness

Step 3 – Make fish sauce glaze: Sauté garlic and chili until fragrant, then add fish sauce, sugar, and chili sauce into the pan. Stir well over low heat until the mixture boils gently and thickens slightly.

Garlic chili fish sauce cooked into a thick glaze
Garlic chili fish sauce cooked into a thick glaze

Step 4 – Braise squid with the sauce: Put the fried squid into the pan, stir quickly so the sauce coats every piece of squid evenly. Continue stirring for about 2-3 minutes until the squid absorbs the flavor, the sauce coats evenly, then sprinkle pepper and turn off the stove.

Fried dried squid with fish sauce soaked in rich, spicy, and appealing sauce
Fried dried squid with fish sauce soaked in rich, spicy, and appealing sauce

Fried dried squid with garlic butter

Fried dried squid with garlic butter is appealing with the rich, buttery aroma blending with golden fried garlic and chewy, sweet pieces of squid. The butter-garlic layer coats the outside evenly, making the dish flavorful and fragrant, perfect as a snack or eaten with hot rice.

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 2 pieces
Unsalted butter 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic 1 tablespoon
Sugar 1 teaspoon
Fish sauce 1 teaspoon
Chili sauce 1 tablespoon
Cooking oil 2 tablespoons
Ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Soak the dried squid in warm water for about 15-20 minutes until soft, then wash and let drain. Next, lightly grill the squid, gently pound and shred into strips or cut into bite-sized pieces.

Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and cut into bite-sized pieces
Dried squid soaked until soft, lightly grilled, and cut into bite-sized pieces

Step 2 – Fry the squid: Heat cooking oil, add the squid and fry quickly over medium heat until firm and lightly golden. Then, remove the squid and drain the oil.

Dried squid fried to a light golden color while maintaining chewiness
Dried squid fried to a light golden color while maintaining chewiness

Step 3 – Make garlic butter: Put butter into a pan, melt over low heat, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Afterward, add sugar, fish sauce, and chili sauce, stirring well to form a rich garlic butter mixture.

Garlic butter sautéed until fragrant, creating a rich sauce layer for the squid dish
Garlic butter sautéed until fragrant, creating a rich sauce layer for the squid dish

Step 4 – Fry the squid with garlic butter: Put the fried squid into the pan, stir well for about 2-3 minutes so the garlic butter sauce coats every piece of squid. Finally, sprinkle ground pepper, stir a few more times, then turn off the stove.

Golden, fragrant, rich, and flavorful garlic butter fried dried squid
Golden, fragrant, rich, and flavorful garlic butter fried dried squid

Dried squid glazed with pepper

Dried squid glazed with pepper features the pungent aroma of ground pepper blended with the rich salty-sweet taste of fish sauce and sugar. The squid is pan-seared just right, slightly firm on the outside while maintaining its chewy aroma on the inside, creating a simple yet highly engaging dish.

Instructions:

Step 1 – Soften the squid: Use a damp towel to wipe the surface of the squid, then soak quickly in warm water for about 10-15 minutes so the meat softens while still keeping its chewiness. When the squid is drained, use your hands to shred it into bite-sized pieces, preferably tearing along the grain so the squid does not break into crumbs.

Dried squid softened and shredded along the grain before cooking
Dried squid softened and shredded along the grain before cooking

Step 2 – Pan-sear the squid: Heat a pan with a little cooking oil, add the squid and pan-sear over medium heat until firm and slightly charred at the edges. Then, transfer the squid to a plate to prepare for coating with sauce.

Dried squid pan-seared until firm, aromatic, and slightly charred at the edges
Dried squid pan-seared until firm, aromatic, and slightly charred at the edges

Step 3 – Make pepper glaze sauce: Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add fish sauce, sugar, chili sauce, and fresh chili, stirring well. Next, add ground pepper and simmer over low heat until the mixture thickens slightly and releases an aromatic smell.

Pepper fish sauce glaze cooked into a thick, pungent, and aromatic sauce
Pepper fish sauce glaze cooked into a thick, pungent, and aromatic sauce

Step 4 – Braise the squid: Put the squid into the pan of sauce, stir well for about 2-3 minutes so the spices cling to each piece. When the squid absorbs the flavor, the sauce coats evenly and looks appealing, turn off the stove.

Dried squid glazed with pepper soaked in rich, pungent, and appealing sauce
Dried squid glazed with pepper soaked in rich, pungent, and appealing sauce

Sweet and sour dried squid salad dishes

Dried squid combined with fruits and vegetables having a mild sour taste creates refreshing, crunchy, and flavorful salads. The chewy, aromatic squid blended with the sweet and sour dressing makes the dish stimulate the palate without feeling greasy.

Green mango dried squid salad

Green mango dried squid salad stands out with the sour and crunchy taste of green mango combined with chewy, aromatic dried squid and a rich dressing. Adding a bit of laksa leaves, roasted peanuts, and spicy chili, the salad becomes appealing, very suitable as an appetizer or snack.

Ingredients to prepare:

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 1-2 pieces
Green mango 1 fruit
Laksa leaves 30g
Roasted peanuts 30g
Fresh chili 1-2 fruits
Fish sauce 2 tablespoons
Sugar 2 tablespoons
Lemon juice 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic 1 teaspoon

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Grill the squid over medium heat until fragrant, then pound gently to soften the meat and shred into bite-sized strips.

Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded into bite-sized strips
Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded into bite-sized strips

Step 2 – Prepare the mango: Peel the green mango, wash and shred it. Then, soak the mango in ice water for a few minutes to keep it crunchy, then take out and let drain.

Green mango shredded, maintaining crunchiness for the salad
Green mango shredded, maintaining crunchiness for the salad

Step 3 – Make the dressing: Put fish sauce, sugar, lemon juice, garlic, and chili into a bowl and stir well until the sugar dissolves completely.

Sweet and sour dressing mixed to perfection for the salad
Sweet and sour dressing mixed to perfection for the salad

Step 4 – Toss the salad: Put mango, squid, and laksa leaves into a large bowl, drizzle with the dressing, and toss gently so the ingredients absorb the spices.

Mango, squid, and laksa leaves tossed evenly with sweet and sour sauce
Mango, squid, and laksa leaves tossed evenly with sweet and sour sauce

Pomelo dried squid salad

Pomelo dried squid salad brings a refreshing taste thanks to juicy pomelo segments combined with chewy, aromatic dried squid. The mild sweet and sour taste of the dressing balances the saltiness of the squid, creating a light and easy-to-eat salad.

Ingredients: 

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 1-2 pieces
Pomelo 1 fruit
Carrot 1/2 bulb
Laksa leaves 30g
Roasted peanuts 30g
Fish sauce 2 tablespoons
Sugar 2 tablespoons
Lemon juice 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic, chili A little

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Grill the squid until fragrant, pound gently and shred into bite-sized strips.

Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded
Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded

Step 2 – Prepare pomelo and carrots: Peel the pomelo thoroughly, separate into segments, then gently break apart the pomelo pulp. Peel the carrot, wash and shred it.

Pomelo and carrots prepared in advance for mixing the salad
Pomelo and carrots prepared in advance for mixing the salad

Step 3 – Make the dressing: Stir fish sauce, sugar, lemon juice, garlic, and chili together until the ingredients blend completely.

Sweet and sour dressing makes the salad more flavorful
Sweet and sour dressing makes the salad more flavorful

Step 4 – Toss the salad: Put pomelo, carrots, squid, and laksa leaves into a bowl, add the dressing and toss gently so the pomelo segments do not break.

Pomelo, squid, and laksa leaves tossed gently to keep pomelo segments intact
Pomelo, squid, and laksa leaves tossed gently to keep pomelo segments intact

Step 5 – Completion: Plate the salad, sprinkle roasted peanuts on top, and enjoy immediately while fresh and delicious.

Refreshing, sweet and sour, and nutty pomelo dried squid salad
Refreshing, sweet and sour, and nutty pomelo dried squid salad

Ambarella dried squid salad

Ambarella dried squid salad is an ideal choice for those who love a sour, crunchy, and mildly spicy taste. Crispy green ambarella blended with chewy, aromatic dried squid, along with a salty-sweet dressing, makes the dish more addictive the more you chew.

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 1-2 pieces
Green ambarella 3-4 fruits
Laksa leaves 20-30g
Roasted peanuts 30g
Fresh chili 1-2 fruits
Fish sauce 2 tablespoons
Sugar 2 tablespoons
Lemon juice 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic 1 teaspoon

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Grill the squid until fragrant, pound gently, and shred into strips.

Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded into bite-sized strips
Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded into bite-sized strips

Step 2 – Prepare the ambarella: Peel the green ambarella, wash and slice thinly or shred. Pick clean laksa leaves, wash and let drain.

Green ambarella sliced thinly to maintain crunchiness when mixing salad
Green ambarella sliced thinly to maintain crunchiness when mixing salad

Step 3 – Make the dressing: Put fish sauce, sugar, lemon juice, garlic, and chili into a bowl and stir well.

Sweet and sour dressing mixed with garlic and chili
Sweet and sour dressing mixed with garlic and chili

Step 4 – Toss the salad: Put ambarella, squid, and laksa leaves into a bowl, add the dressing and toss well so the ingredients absorb the flavors.

Green ambarella and dried squid tossed evenly with rich sauce
Green ambarella and dried squid tossed evenly with rich sauce

Green papaya dried squid salad

Green papaya dried squid salad combines crunchy, sweet green papaya with chewy, aromatic dried squid, creating a dish that is both refreshing and flavorful. The sweet and sour dressing permeates every strand of papaya and squid, offering a harmonious and very easy-to-eat taste.

Ingredients to prepare:

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 1-2 pieces
Green papaya 1/2 fruit
Carrot 1/2 bulb
Laksa leaves 30g
Roasted peanuts 30g
Fish sauce 2 tablespoons
Sugar 2 tablespoons
Lemon juice 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic, chili A little

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Grill the squid until fragrant, pound gently, and shred into bite-sized strips.

Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded
Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded

Step 2 – Prepare the papaya: Peel the green papaya, wash and shred it. Carrots are also peeled, shredded, and soaked together with papaya in ice water to maintain crunchiness.

Papaya and carrots shredded, retaining natural crunchiness
Papaya and carrots shredded, retaining natural crunchiness

Step 3 – Make the dressing: Stir fish sauce, sugar, lemon juice, garlic, and chili well to create a sweet and sour dressing.

Sweet and sour dressing mixed to taste
Sweet and sour dressing mixed to taste

Step 4 – Toss the salad: Squeeze the papaya and carrots dry, put them in a bowl with the squid and laksa leaves. Then, drizzle the dressing and toss evenly so the ingredients absorb the spices.

Papaya, squid, and laksa leaves tossed evenly with sauce
Papaya, squid, and laksa leaves tossed evenly with sauce

See more:

Soup, noodle, and porridge dishes from dried squid

Dried squid can also be combined with broth and noodle dishes to create a rich, aromatic, and sweet flavor.

Dried squid porridge

Dried squid porridge features a rich, sweet taste from the squid, combined with soft mushy porridge grains, creating a warming and easy-to-eat sensation.

Ingredients to prepare:

Ingredients Quantity
Dried squid 2 pieces
Plain rice 150g
Pork bones 300g
Shallot 2 bulbs
Ginger 1 small branch
Fish sauce 1-2 tablespoons
Seasoning powder 1 teaspoon
Ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon
Scallions, coriander A little

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare the squid: Lightly grill the dried squid until fragrant, use a pestle to pound gently and shred into bite-sized strips. The shredded squid can be cut smaller if you want the porridge to be easier to eat.

Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded into small strips
Dried squid grilled until fragrant and shredded into small strips

Step 2 – Cook the broth: Wash the pork bones, blanch them in boiling water, then put them into a pot to simmer with shallots and ginger. When the broth is clear and has a natural sweetness, remove the bones and strain the liquid.

Pork bones simmered to get naturally sweet broth
Pork bones simmered to get naturally sweet broth

Step 3 – Cook the porridge: Wash the rice, put it into the pot of broth and cook over low heat until the grains soften and expand. During cooking, stir gently so the porridge does not stick to the bottom of the pot.

Rice cooked with broth until soft, expanded, and smooth
Rice cooked with broth until soft, expanded, and smooth

Step 4 – Add squid to the porridge: When the porridge reaches the desired softness, add the dried squid into the pot, season with fish sauce and seasoning powder to taste. Simmer for a few more minutes so the squid releases its sweetness and blends with the porridge, avoiding boiling too long which makes the squid tough.

Hot, fragrant, sweet, and flavorful dried squid porridge
Hot, fragrant, sweet, and flavorful dried squid porridge

Stir-fried instant noodles with dried squid

Stir-fried instant noodles with dried squid is a quick yet flavorful dish featuring chewy, soft noodles and delicious dried squid.

Ingredients to prepare:

Ingredients Quantity
Instant noodles 1 pack
Dried squid 2 pieces
Dried shrimp 5g
Lemon 1/2 fruit
Chili 2 fruits
Scallion 2 stalks
Minced garlic 1 tablespoon
Fish sauce 1 tablespoon
Cooking oil 1 tablespoon
Salt 1/4 teaspoon
MSG 1/4 teaspoon
Sugar 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions:

Step 1 – Soak squid and shrimp: Cut the dried squid into bite-sized pieces, soak them together with dried shrimp in warm water for about 10 minutes until soft. Then take out and let drain before cooking.

Soaking squid and shrimp, cutting into bite-sized pieces
Soaking squid and shrimp, cutting into bite-sized pieces

Step 2 – Blanch noodles: Put noodles into a bowl, pour boiling water to soak for about 1-2 minutes until soft, then remove immediately to avoid mushiness. Toss the noodles with a portion of the seasoning packet and oil included to enhance flavor.

Blanching noodles until soft, then removing to avoid becoming mushy
Blanching noodles until soft, then removing to avoid becoming mushy

Step 3 – Marinate squid and shrimp: Put squid and dried shrimp into a bowl, season with sugar, MSG, fish sauce, and ground pepper. Add chopped chili and squeeze lemon juice, mix well so the ingredients absorb the spices.

Marinating squid and shrimp with spices
Marinating squid and shrimp with spices

Step 4 – Stir-fry noodles: Heat a pan with cooking oil, sauté minced garlic until fragrant. When the garlic releases an aroma, add the marinated squid and shrimp, stir quickly over high heat. Next, add the noodles, stir-fry until the noodles firm up, add scallions, mix well, and turn off the stove.

Noodles, squid, and dried shrimp stir-fried evenly, soaking in rich spices
Noodles, squid, and dried shrimp stir-fried evenly, soaking in rich spices
Finished dish of stir-fried instant noodles with dried squid
Finished dish of stir-fried instant noodles with dried squid

How to choose delicious dried squid with authentic flavor

To ensure dishes made from dried squid maintain their delicious flavor, you should carefully check the quality right from the selection stage. Several criteria below will help you easily recognize delicious dried squid:

  • Natural color: The squid has a light pink or natural pink color, not too dark, without abnormal spots.
  • Dryness: The surface of the squid is dry, not sticky to the touch, with no signs of being mushy or moldy.
  • White powdery coating: A natural white powdery layer covers the surface relatively evenly, not excessively thick or having abnormal colors.
  • Characteristic aroma: The squid has a mild characteristic aroma of dried seafood, without any foul, sour, or strange odors.
Criteria for choosing delicious authentic dried squid
Criteria for choosing delicious authentic dried squid

Tips for preparing dried squid

Proper preparation helps dried squid become moderately soft, aromatic, and easier to absorb spices when cooking. You can apply some of the following tips:

  • Soaking dried squid in beer or rice washing water: These two methods help the squid soften faster while retaining its signature aroma after cooking.
  • Lightly grilling before shredding: Grilling the squid over fire or in an oven for a short time brings out the aroma, then pound gently to loosen the meat and make it easier to shred.
  • Shredding lengthwise: You should identify the meat grain and shred or slice along the body of the squid. This method makes the squid less tough and easier to absorb the dressing when making salad dishes.
  • Adjusting soaking time based on thickness: Squid with thick bodies like bigfin reef squid or large octopus need longer soaking times compared to thin-bodied squid to achieve appropriate softness.

Above are suggestions to help you answer the question of what delicious dishes to make with dried squid and easily prepare them at home. If you are looking for quality dried squid to cook grilled, stir-fried, braised, or salad dishes, contact Ola Squid immediately to explore suitable dried squid products!

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.