
Tender Baby Squid Stir-Fry Recipe
Tender Baby Squid Stir-Fry Recipe
Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Baby Squid Using Fresh, Seasonal Squid
Discover the deliciousness of stir-fried baby squid, a dish made with tender, young squid readily available in markets. This recipe offers a perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors, complemented by the delightful crunch of fresh vegetables. It’s an ideal side dish for any meal or a savory snack.
Main Ingredients- 4 Baby Squids (cleaned)
- 2 Leaves of Cabbage
- 1/4 Bell Pepper (use a mix of colors for visual appeal)
- 1/4 Carrot
- 1/2 Onion
- 2 Green Chili Peppers
- 1 Stalk of Scallion (Green Onion)
Seasoning- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Ginger Syrup (or a pinch of minced ginger)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Perilla Oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Ginger Syrup (or a pinch of minced ginger)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Perilla Oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the vegetables for the squid stir-fry. First, thinly slice the carrot and onion. Slice the green chili peppers diagonally after removing the seeds. Cut the scallion diagonally as well. Slice the bell pepper into similar sizes to add color to the dish.
Step 2
Rinse the cleaned baby squid thoroughly under running water. Cut the squid bodies and tentacles into bite-sized pieces using scissors. Avoid cutting them too small to maintain a pleasant texture.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine the prepared squid with some of the seasoning ingredients. Add 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1/2 Tbsp ginger syrup. Gently mix the ingredients to coat the squid, allowing it to marinate. Marinating beforehand helps the squid absorb flavors better.
Step 4
Add the remaining seasoning ingredients to the marinated squid: 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp mirin, a pinch of black pepper, 2 Tbsp perilla oil, and 1 Tbsp cooking oil. Mix well again to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed and let it marinate for a few more minutes.
Step 5
Heat a pan over high heat. Add the marinated squid to the hot pan and stir-fry quickly. If you prefer a spicier dish, add an extra tablespoon of gochugaru at this stage. The squid will start to turn opaque and white as it cooks.
Step 6
Once the squid is partially cooked, add the harder vegetables first, such as the carrots, and stir-fry. After the carrots have softened slightly, add the sliced onions and continue to stir-fry. Cooking over high heat helps keep the vegetables crisp.
Step 7
Now, add the remaining vegetables: cabbage, green chilies, scallions, and bell peppers. Stir-fry everything quickly over high heat. Overcooking can release water and make the vegetables mushy, so it’s key to stir-fry just until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp. This quick stir-fry method is the secret to delicious squid stir-fry.
Step 8
Finally, add the diagonally sliced scallions and give it a quick toss. This will add a fresh aroma to the entire dish. Gently mix to distribute the scallion flavor throughout the stir-fry.
Step 9
Once all ingredients are well combined, your delicious baby squid stir-fry is ready! Serve it over warm rice or enjoy it as is for a delightful meal.

