Spicy & Sweet Stir-Fried Squid: Restaurant-Style Recipe
How to Make Delicious Stir-Fried Squid Like a Restaurant, Without Releasing Water
This is a restaurant-quality stir-fried squid dish that’s incredibly delicious! The perfect balance of tender squid and crisp vegetables, coated in a rich and savory sauce, will have your whole family asking for seconds. Follow this recipe to perfectly recreate that authentic restaurant taste at home!
Main Ingredients
- 1 fresh squid
- 1/4 onion
- 1 handful cabbage
- 4 slices zucchini (or 1/4 zucchini)
- 1 stalk green onion
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Spicy & Sweet Sauce
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2/3 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide)
- 4 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for spice level)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp ginger powder (or a little minced ginger)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 4 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2/3 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide)
- 4 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for spice level)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp ginger powder (or a little minced ginger)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 4 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your vegetables. Cut the green onion in half lengthwise and then slice it finely to release its aroma. Slice the onion thickly. Cut the zucchini slices in half, then cut them again into bite-sized pieces. Chop the cabbage into roughly four large pieces.
Step 2
It’s important to clean the squid thoroughly. Use baking soda or flour to scrub away the slimy coating, rinsing it several times. To help the sauce penetrate, make diagonal crisscross scores on the squid’s body, then cut it into appropriate sizes.
Step 3
Bring water to a boil and blanch the prepared squid for about 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can become tough. Rinse the blanched squid under cold water and drain well.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2/3 Tbsp salt, 2 Tbsp corn syrup, 4 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 Tbsp ginger powder, 1 Tbsp plum extract, 4 Tbsp mirin, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well to create the flavorful sauce. Pre-mixing the sauce ingredients will make the cooking process smoother.
Step 5
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the finely chopped green onions and sauté until fragrant, creating a flavorful green onion oil. This step is key to building a good flavor base.
Step 6
Once the green onions are lightly golden and fragrant, pour in half of the prepared sauce. Add the zucchini and cabbage, which take longer to cook, and stir-fry quickly over high heat. Maintaining the crispness of the vegetables is important.
Step 7
When the zucchini starts to turn translucent and is about halfway cooked, add the remaining sauce and cook for a little longer. Then, add the sliced onions and the blanched squid, stir-frying everything together. Since squid cooks very quickly, avoid overcooking.
Step 8
Finally, add the roughly chopped green onions and stir-fry briefly. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 2 Tbsp of sesame oil for added aroma and flavor. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a beautiful finish. Your delicious stir-fried squid is ready!
Step 9
This stir-fried squid, with its perfect spicy and sweet flavor, is so delicious that even picky eaters will gobble up the vegetables! The delightful chewiness of the squid, the satisfying crunch of the vegetables, and the mouthwatering sauce create an unforgettable dish. You’ll find yourself finishing a bowl of rice in no time – it’s pure culinary magic!
