Cleaning squid and octopus can be a messy and challenging task, but with these simple tips, you can do it quickly and effectively, ensuring your seafood dishes taste delicious and look appealing.

The Fastest Way to Clean a Squid

– Rinse the squid under running water. Then, grasp the tentacles firmly and pull them out of the body. Be decisive with your pull to ensure the intestines and ink sac come out intact. However, be cautious, as rupturing the ink sac will turn the squid black and bitter.

If you accidentally rupture the ink sac, quickly rinse the squid under running water to wash away the ink, and then proceed to the next steps.

– Use a knife to cut off the eyes and carefully squeeze out the hard, round beak located in the center of the head.

– Make a shallow cut at the head end of the body to create a groove between the skin and the meat. Then, hold the meat with one hand and grasp the skin with the other, pulling upwards to remove the skin.


Choose fresh squid to ensure the meat remains tender and firm during cooking. Illustration photo

– After removing the intestines, tentacles, and ink sac, continue to peel away the backbone. The backbone is a large, flat piece of cartilage that is white and translucent, so it’s easy to spot.

– Make a longitudinal cut on the body of the squid, open it up, and scrape away any remaining entrails. Rinse thoroughly with water.

It’s important to choose fresh squid to maintain the tenderness and firmness of the meat, ensuring your dishes are not only tasty but also aesthetically pleasing.

The Fastest Way to Clean an Octopus

– Rinse the octopus with water, thawing it first if it has been refrigerated. Cut right below the eyes to remove the tentacles and set them aside.

– To remove the entrails, hold the body of the octopus with the eyes facing the ground. Insert scissors parallel to the ground, into the back of the neck, and cut. Then, open up the entrails and use a knife to cut them away.

– Wash the octopus with salt to remove any slime. Next, boil water with guava leaves, let it cool slightly, and then rinse the octopus in this water to eliminate any fishy smell.

– Crush some ginger and mix it with the octopus meat to add fragrance. Then, rinse the octopus with water 2-3 times and drain.


Not everyone knows how to clean an octopus quickly and effectively. Illustration photo

– Cut the head separately, and then cut it into rings or leave it whole, depending on the recipe. For the legs, cut them into bite-sized pieces.

With these simple steps, you’ve successfully cleaned the octopus. As with squid, choosing fresh octopus makes the cleaning process easier and results in a dish that’s not only tasty but also nutritious.

According to “Đời sống pháp luật”

Frequently asked questions

First, lay the squid or octopus on a cutting board with the head facing away from you. Pull the tentacles and cut just above the eyes to separate the head from the body. You can then remove the beak by cutting between the eyes and the beak. Rinse the body and tentacles under cold running water to remove any ink and slime. Finally, use a sharp knife to make a small incision in the body and peel the skin away, starting from the incision.

Making a small incision in the body with a sharp knife will help you get a grip on the skin and start peeling it away. It should come off fairly easily, but if you’re having trouble, you can use a small paring knife to help loosen it.

Rinsing the squid or octopus under cold running water will help to remove any ink that may be present. Be gentle and avoid squeezing the ink sack, as this will cause it to burst and release the ink. You can also use a small spoon to carefully lift and remove the ink sack once the head has been separated from the body.

Yes, you can use a small brush to scrub the surface of the squid or octopus if there is any remaining slime after rinsing. You can also soak the squid or octopus in milk for about 30 minutes before cleaning to help tenderize the meat and remove any strong odors.

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