Spicy & Sweet Braised Dried Squid (Side Dish & Snack)
Delicious Side Dish with Chewy Dried Squid: Dried Squid Stir-fry & Braise
Dried squid, processed from giant squid, has a similar taste and appearance to octopus, hence its name ‘gamun-eo’ (fake octopus)! Introducing an easy and delicious recipe for braised dried squid you can enjoy at home. Make this spicy and sweet stir-fried and braised dried squid, perfect as a side dish or a fantastic snack.
Dried Squid Stir-fry/Braise
- 150g prepared dried squid
- 1 dried chili or dried Cheongyang chili (seeds removed, thinly sliced)
- 1/2 red chili (seeds removed, thinly sliced)
- 1/2 Tbsp chili powder (optional)
- 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide or corn syrup
- 2.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine or mirin
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- A little sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Hello everyone! Today, I’ve prepared a delicious braised recipe using dried squid, loved for its chewy texture. This recipe was inspired by a blog post, and I’ve slightly modified it to my own style. If you prefer the original recipe, please refer to the source!
Step 2
If your dried squid looks too dry, soak it in cold water for about 10-15 minutes before cooking to soften it. If the dried squid you purchased is already soft, simply rinse it clean and use it immediately.
Step 3
After soaking or rinsing, drain the dried squid in a colander and squeeze out as much water as possible. Excess water can dilute the braising sauce.
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium-low heat, then add the drained dried squid and stir-fry lightly. This step helps to remove any remaining moisture, making the squid chewier. If you did not soak the dried squid, you can skip this step and proceed directly to the next.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the delicious braising sauce. Add soy sauce (2.5 Tbsp), oligosaccharide (2 Tbsp), water (3 Tbsp), cooking wine (1 Tbsp), and minced garlic (1/2 Tbsp) to the pan. (Tip: I omitted the chili powder, but feel free to add 1/2 Tbsp for a spicy kick.) You can mix the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl beforehand or conveniently mix them directly in the pan like I do.
Step 6
Initially, without chili powder, the soy sauce-based sauce might taste a bit plain. I accidentally forgot the garlic and added it later, and it significantly improved the flavor! If you add chili peppers as per the original recipe, it will be even more savory and spicy.
Step 7
I chose to omit the spicy chili peppers this time and made it with a sweet and savory sauce. The dried squid itself has a subtle umami flavor, and with this delicious sauce, the stir-fried result is truly wonderful.
Step 8
The thin yet chewy texture of the dried squid is a delight with every bite. It’s great as a side dish for rice, but it also makes an excellent snack when you’re feeling peckish or a perfect accompaniment to a cold beer.
Step 9
If you enjoy squid or seafood dishes, you will surely love this dried squid stir-fry/braise! Enjoy a delightful meal with this chewy and flavorful dried squid dish. Cook and eat deliciously!
