Salt & pepper squid
Salt & pepper squid from Vietnam.
Cook and rest are read from the method. Prep is estimated when the listing left it out. Optional overnight waits and leftover storage are not counted.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 2 min
- Rest
- None
- Total
- 12 min
- Difficulty
- A bit of work
- Spice
- Mild
- Cost
- Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price

About
Salt & pepper squid is listed as seafood from Vietnam. The steps below follow the imported method, not an editorial rewrite. Times shown were read from those steps.
What you'll need
13 ingredients. Tap each one once it's out on the bench.
Ingredients
- Corn flour85 g
- Wheat flour85 g
- Black pepper9.9 ml
- Szechuan peppercorns9.9 ml
- Sunflower oilto taste
- Squid400 g
- Spring onionto taste
- Fresh chilli, sliced green chilli and 1 chopped red chilli1
- Vinegar100 ml
- Sugar15 ml
- Fish sauce9.9 ml
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
To make the dipping sauce, mix all the ingredients in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved, then set aside. Mix the cornflour and plain flour with both peppers and 2 tsp sea salt in a large bowl, then set aside. Line a tray with kitchen paper and make sure you have more salt to sprinkle with.
Step 2
Heat about 7cm of oil to 180C in a deep fryer, wok or deep pan. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test it with a cube of bread – it should brown in 20 secs. Coat the squid well with the flour mix and fry in batches for about 2 mins each or until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to lift out the squid, then drain on the kitchen paper and sprinkle with a little more salt. Serve the squid scattered with the spring onion and chilli, with the dipping sauce on the side.
2 min
Nutrition
Per serving · estimate
- Calories
- 298 kcal
- Protein
- 19.3 g
- Carbs
- 47.7 g
- Fat
- 2.3 g
- Saturated fat
- 0.6 g
- Fibre
- 2.2 g
- Sugar
- 5.6 g
- Sodium
- 246 mg
Calculated from canonical ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables). Estimates only.
Allergens
Informational only. Not a medical guarantee. Cross-contamination happens in real kitchens.
- Wheat
- Shellfish
- Fish
- Pescatarian
- Dairy-free
- Nut-free
Adapt this recipe
The original recipe stays as it is. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are simple maths.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 10 November.
Substitutions
flour (a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread)) → a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread)
Coatings and roux can swap. Yeast breads need a blend designed for gluten-free baking.
onion → shallot
Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have.
chilli (paprika or chilli flakes) → paprika or chilli flakes
Paprika is milder and sweeter. Add cayenne if you still want heat.
fish-sauce (soy sauce + lime) → soy sauce + lime
Salty and bright, not funky. A mashed anchovy is closer if fish is acceptable.
Tips
- Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
History & culture
Inspired by the original
Provenance: Imported. Not developed or tested in our kitchen, so quantities and timings can be approximate. Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Salt & pepper squid take?
12 min all in — 10 min prep, 2 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Shellfish, Fish. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Pescatarian, Dairy-free, Nut-free.
9 more questionsFewer questions
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Frying pan, Wok, Mixing bowl.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list salt as its own ingredient. Saltiness comes from Fish sauce — 2 tsp. Taste at the end rather than adding a number we did not write.
How much vinegar?
100 ml of Vinegar.
How much sugar?
1 tbsp of Sugar.
How much fish sauce?
2 tsp of Fish sauce.
What can I use instead?
flour (a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread)) → a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread). Coatings and roux can swap. Yeast breads need a blend designed for gluten-free baking. onion → shallot. Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have. chilli (paprika or chilli flakes) → paprika or chilli flakes. Paprika is milder and sweeter. Add cayenne if you still want heat. fish-sauce (soy sauce + lime) → soy sauce + lime. Salty and bright, not funky. A mashed anchovy is closer if fish is acceptable.
Any tips from this recipe?
Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.


