Top 33 Squid Dishes
in the World

Kalamar tava is a traditional dish that's usually served as a meze. The dish consists of cleaned squid that's cut into thick rings, soaked in milk, then dipped in a batter of flour, baking soda, and salt before it's fried in hot oil. The squid rings can be flavored with herbs or pepper flakes, if desired. Once fried, the rings are typically served with a Turkish tartar-like sauce on the side for dipping, along with a few lemon wedges.Expand

This classic Greek dish consists of squid rings and tentacles that are seasoned, dredged in flour, and fried until crispy and golden brown. Fried calamari is a restaurant staple, typically enjoyed as an appetizer or a meze dish. It is usually complemented by lemon wedges and garnished with freshly chopped parsley.Expand

Rabas or fried squid is the quintessential seafood tapa of the Cantabrian coast. Made with sliced squid strips or rings that are lightly battered or breaded before they are fried to crispy perfection, this dish is best savored when lightly seasoned with salt and with an optional drizzle of fresh lemon juice. There are numerous variations on the dish depending on the species of squid, the type of flour, or the oil used in the preparation, as well as the preferred version of cutting the squid (strips, rings, or other shapes). The best rabas are, nevertheless, those made with fresh squid, defined by a firm consistency, thin coating, tender bite, and natural seawater flavor. This Spanish appetizer pairs well with a glass of dry white wine or a cold beer and is available in almost any bar and restaurant throughout the region.Expand

Jiao yan you yu or salt-and-pepper squid is a traditional dish originating from Guangzhou. This Cantonese dish is usually made with a combination of squid, potato flour, scallions, Shaoxing wine, garlic, oil, hot peppers, Sichuan pepper or white pepper, and salt. The surface of the squid is cross-hatched and the body is cut into bite-sized pieces. It's mixed with Shaoxing wine, drained, dredged in flour, and deep-fried in hot oil until lightly golden. The squid is removed from the pan. The garlic, scallions, and hot peppers are stir-fried in the same oil, and the squid is placed back into the pan with a mixture of Sichuan pepper and salt. The dish is stir-fried a bit more, tossed, and served hot as an appetizer or a main course.Expand

Salt and pepper calamari is a Chinese cuisine-inspired dish that’s so popular in Australia it might even be called one of Australia’s national dishes. The calamari, or squid in some cases, is covered in salt-and-pepper batter, then deep-fried to crispy perfection. The dish is often prepared and served as a bar or pub snack, and it often comes garnished with garlic, fried chili, and spring onions. Salt and pepper calamari is so widely available in the country that it can be found everywhere from cafés to pubs, restaurants, and bistros. The only thing that’s important is that the seafood should be fresh, and the seafood to batter ratio should be similar in size and coating.Expand

Ika nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of squid. The dish has a rich flavor and a texture that is firm and slimy, slightly chewy but not rubbery. Traditionally, this type of sushi is eaten by hand in a single bite. It's usually accompanied by soy sauce or pickled ginger (gari) on the side, and it's often served with a shiso leaf in order to elevate the flavors. Interestingly, tourists find this type of sushi difficult to eat, especially raw, but in Japan it's one of the most popular types of nigiri sushi.Expand

Jadranske lignje na padelu (lit. Adriatic squid in a pan) is a traditional Dalmatian dish made with fresh squid, olive oil, white wine, fish stock, garlic, parsley, pepper, and potatoes. The squids are first cleaned and seasoned, then fried in olive oil with garlic and parsley. The combination is further enriched with the addition of wine, fish stock, and potatoes. The dish is a staple during summer in Dalmatia, and it is recommended to pair it with a glass of white wine on the side.Expand

One of the favorite Japanese street food varieties is a serving of tender grilled squid known as ikayaki. It can employ different types of squid in varying sizes. Serving styles usually range from chopped squid rings to skewered whole pieces. Squid tentacles can be left out or incorporated into the dish, and occasionally they even make the central part of ikayaki. Usual accompaniment to the dish is soy or teriyaki sauce, or a traditional Japanese marinade which typically includes rice wine, miso paste, ginger, and soy sauce. The squids are prepared quickly, which leaves them tender and plump. The squids should be served immediately once they are off the grill. Although ikayaki is often served as a restaurant dish, it is more commonly sold by street vendors who prepare and offer this delicacy on the markets, around Japanese shrines, and during the local festivals. In restaurants, they can be served as an appetizer, a side dish, or as the main dish alongside rice and salad.Expand

Chipirones en su tinta is a traditional dish originating from the Basque country. The dish is made by searing and poaching whole baby squids until they become tender, served in a purée of sautéed vegetables, garlic, and white wine, all tinted with squid or cuttlefish ink. The ink enhances the natural sea flavor of the squids, which are traditionally stuffed with a mixture of their own side fins and tentacles. It's recommended to prepare the dish a day in advance so that the squid takes on the flavors of the sauce and becomes more tender. Before serving, sprinkle it with freshly chopped parsley.Expand

Ika sōmen is a traditional dish originating from Hakodate, Hokkaido. Although the word ika means squid and the word sōmen refers to the famous wheat flour noodles, this is actually a seafood dish in which raw squid is thinly sliced and cut into the shape of noodles, as a type of sashimi. Once prepared, it's served with grated ginger and soy sauce on the side. There are also variations that replace the soy sauce with a combination of uni and soy sauce or wasabi and soy sauce. When eating ika sōmen, it's recommended to slurp up the sliced squid, just like noodles should be eaten.Expand