Squid

Squid / calamar / イカ ika

Flavor and role

Chewy, mild seafood. It is tender only if cooked briefly for 1-2 minutes or for 30 minutes or more.

Typical dishes and uses

Paella, fried calamari, ojingeo bokkeum (spicy stir-fried squid), jjamppong.

Substitutes

Cuttlefish, small squid or shrimp 1:1. Scoring it keeps it from curling and helps seasoning penetrate.

Storage

Once cleaned, refrigerate 1-2 days, freeze 3-6 months.

Main countries

Korea · Spain · Japan

Used in this book

Seafood PaellaHaemul Pajeon (Korean Seafood Scallion Pancake)Jjamppong (Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup)Korean Haemul-tang Bouillabaisse with Gochujang RouilleDongnae-Style Seafood Pajeon with Rice-Flour BatterSeafood Pajeon OkonomiyakiSmoky Seafood Jjamppong with Homemade Chili OilRosé Jjamppong with BaconFiery Jjamppong Seafood Fried RiceSeafood Mix Okonomiyaki with Homemade SaucePrawn-Head Stock Paella with AllioliTom Yum Seafood Paella

Updated 2026-10-10