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Grilled Squid Sensation: Quick and Healthy Japanese Style Recipe

Grilled squid skewer served on a decorative slate plate with shiso leaf, star-shaped tamagoyaki, and a rose garnish, creating an elegant presentation.

When’s your favorite time of the year to grill? We love grilling year-round because the weather is always nice in Southern California. Our grill is probably one of our best investments because we use it so frequently. Last time we grilled, the kids had a blast with the Sizzling Teriyaki Ribeye Kabobs, so I decided to amp up the fun this time with something a little more exotic. My partner suggested letting the kids try one of his favorite Japanese foods – the Japanese Grilled Squid on a stick. He loved eating them at festivals when he lived in Japan years ago.

The Japanese grilled squid, “Ikayaki”, is a popular street food commonly eaten at Japanese festivals, outdoor events, and food stalls. “Ika” means squid and “yaki” means cooked over direct heat. The squid is grilled in a sweet soy sauce glaze. It is often served on a stick or skewer making it convenient to eat on the go. The difference between Japanese grilled squid, “Ikayaki” vs calamari, is that the Ikayaki tastes a bit sweeter with a more natural seafood flavor, compared to the calamari which is usually deep-fried and heavily battered.

Discover the delightful flavors of Japan with our Grilled Squid Sensation: Quick and Healthy Japanese Style Recipe. This dish is a perfect blend of simplicity and elegance, making it an ideal choice for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The squid is marinated in a savory mix of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and fresh ginger, then grilled to perfection, resulting in a tender and flavorful seafood treat. The grilling process enhances the natural sweetness of the squid while adding a smoky, charred note that is simply irresistible. Garnished with a touch of pickled ginger and a decorative slice of tamagoyaki, this dish is both delicious and visually stunning.

In addition to its delectable taste, this grilled squid recipe is packed with nutritional benefits. Squid is a low-fat, high-protein seafood that provides essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, potassium, iron, and phosphorus, which are all vital for maintaining good health. The ginger in the marinade adds an anti-inflammatory boost, aiding in digestion and promoting overall well-being. By choosing this healthy and flavorful recipe, you will satisfy your appetite and nourish your body with wholesome ingredients that support a balanced diet.

It's always so much fun and playful to eat food on sticks. I absolutely love the clean-up process too – simply toss the sticks in the trash can and forget all about washing utensils.

I hope you will enjoy this exotic Japanese grilled squid on a stick recipe and have fun with the super easy clean-up afterwards!

Cooking Method
Cuisine
Courses ,
Difficulty Beginner
Time
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 12 mins Total Time: 17 mins
Cooking Temp 400  °C
Servings 2
Calories 123
Description

Enjoy the exquisite taste of Japan with this quick and healthy grilled squid recipe. Marinated in a blend of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and ginger, this dish is rich in protein and essential nutrients, making it a perfect choice for a nutritious and delicious meal.

Ingredients
  • 2 Whole Squid
  • 2 Tablespoons Sake
  • 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Mirin
  • 1 Tablespoon Grated Fresh Ginger
  • 2 Tablespoons Pickled Ginger, for garnish
  • 2 Whole Fresh Shiso Leaves, for garnish
  • 2 Teaspoons Kewpie Mayo, for garnish and dip
Instructions
    Gather the Ingredients:
  1. Prepare the Workspace:Ingredients for Japanese Style Grilled Squid recipe, including squid, soy sauce, mirin, sake, grated ginger, and optional garnishes like shiso leaves and pickled ginger.Prepare your workspace by clearing a clean area on your counter. Gather 2 whole squids (about 8 ounces each), ensuring they are cleaned with the innards removed. For the marinade, you will need 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for umami flavor, 2 tablespoons of mirin for sweetness, 2 tablespoons of sake for tenderizing, and 2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger for a spicy kick. Optional garnishes include pickled ginger, shiso leaves, and small star-shaped slices of tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet). Have a sharp knife, a grater, measuring spoons, and skewers ready for preparation and grilling.
    2. Prepare the Squid:
  2. Cleaning the Squid:Cleaned and prepared whole squids, ready for scoring and marinating, placed on a white cutting board with the tentacles and body separated.

    Start by thoroughly cleaning the squid. Remove the innards, beak, and cartilage from the body. Rinse the squid under cold running water to ensure it's clean.

  3. Scoring the Squid:Scored whole squids, ready for marinating, placed on a white cutting board with a sharp knife beside them, showing the preparation step.Place the cleaned squid on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, make horizontal slits along the upper surface of the squid's body. This will help the marinade penetrate better and ensure even cooking. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
  4. Marinating the Squid:Scored squid marinating in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and ginger, placed in a glass baking dish, ready to be grilled for a flavorful dish.
    • In a glass baking dish, combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of mirin, 2 tablespoons of sake, and 2 teaspoons of grated ginger. Mix well to create the marinade.
    • Place the scored squid in the marinade, making sure it is fully submerged and coated. Let the squid marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For better flavor, you can marinate it for up to 2 hours.
  5. Skewering the Squid:Skewered squid marinating in a soy sauce, mirin, sake, and ginger mixture, placed in a glass baking dish, ready for grilling to enhance flavor.

    Skewer the squid with bamboo or metal skewers. This will help keep the squid flat and make it easier to handle on the grill.

    6. Grilling Instructions:
  6. Preheat the Grill:Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 375-450°F (190-230°C).
  7. Grill the Squid:Squid skewers grilling on medium-high heat, developing nice grill marks, and starting to turn opaque, indicating the beginning of the cooking process.Place the skewered squid on the preheated grill. Arrange them so they are flat and evenly spaced. Grill the squid for about 5-7 minutes on one side. You should see nice grill marks and the squid will start to turn opaque.
  8. Flip the Squid:Squid skewers grilling, turning opaque and developing a charred, caramelized appearance, indicating they are nearly cooked through.Flip the squid and grill for an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side, ensuring they are evenly cooked and have a slightly charred, caramelized appearance. The squid is done when it is firm to the touch and opaque throughout. Avoid overcooking, as this can make the squid tough.
  9. Remove from the Grill:Grilled squid skewers with charred grill marks, placed in a glass baking dish, freshly removed from the grill, ready to be served.Carefully remove the squid from the grill and place them in a clean glass baking dish or serving platter.
    10. Plating:
  10. Plating the Squid:Grilled squid skewer served on a decorative slate plate with shiso leaf, star-shaped tamagoyaki, and a rose garnish, creating an elegant presentation.
    • Choose a decorative plate, such as a slate plate, to enhance the presentation of the grilled squid. 
    • Place the grilled squid skewer diagonally on the plate, allowing the charred grill marks to be prominently displayed. 
    • Place a shiso leaf on one side of the plate. 
    • Add a small, star-shaped dollop of Kewpie mayonnaise or a star-shaped slice of tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) on top of the shiso leaf for a pop of color and an elegant touch. 
    • Optionally, you can include a rose garnish made from pickled ginger or another edible flower for an extra decorative element. 
    • Ensure all elements are neatly arranged and the plate looks balanced.
    • Serve immediately while the squid is still warm to enjoy its best flavor and texture.
Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

Amount Per Serving
Calories 415kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5.6g9%
Saturated Fat 1.6g8%
Cholesterol 932mg311%
Sodium 1808mg76%
Potassium 586mg17%
Total Carbohydrate 10.8g4%
Sugars 4.7g
Protein 62.4g125%
Vitamin A 15 IU
Vitamin C 6.2 mg
Calcium 39 mg
Iron 0.9 mg
Vitamin D 1 IU
Vitamin E 1.2 IU
Vitamin K 0.2 mcg
Thiamin 0.02 mg
Riboflavin 0.5 mg
Niacin 2.2 mg
Vitamin B6 0.2 mg
Folate 5 mcg
Vitamin B12 1.3 mcg
Biotin 2.6 mcg
Pantothenic Acid 0.5 mg
Phosphorus 221 mg
Iodine 27 mcg
Magnesium 34 mg
Zinc 1.5 mg
Copper 0.1 mg
Manganese 0.1 mg
Chromium 1.1 mcg
Molybdenum 1.2 mcg
Chloride 22.5 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Read it online: https://doctordeliciousdishes.com/recipe/grilled-squid/
Dr. Diana