Description
The squid (Zhongjuan = spear squid) version of 'Three Cup Chicken'. A superb seafood snack where plump squid is boiled down sweet/savory with sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice wine, scented with massive Taiwan basil.
Restaurants serving Three Cup Squid
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Spear squid(Zhongjuan)
- Jiucengta(Taiwanese Basil)
- Black sesame oil
- Soy sauce
- Rice wine
- Ginger
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- [Prep] Gut fresh 'Zhongjuan' (Taiwanese spear squid, etc.; small and tender), cut into rings (or bite-sized). Briefly blanch in hot water to set the surface (prevents too much moisture when frying).
- Heat plenty of black sesame oil in a clay pot (or wok), sauté sliced ginger and peeled whole garlic cloves until fragrantly golden.
- Toss in squid, sauté rapidly on high (speed is key as squid toughens easily).
- [Three Cup Sauce] Add soy sauce, rice wine, and rock sugar (or sugar) in a 1:1:
- ratio, boil down rapidly on high until the sauce glazes the squid.
- Right before turning off heat, dump a pot-full of raw 'Jiucengta (Taiwanese basil)' and red chili, cover to steam for a few seconds, transferring the basil aroma to the oil to finish.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Taiwanese basil and Black sesame oil aroma
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Japanese spear squid or flying squid, Sweet basil
Pairing
Cold Taiwan Beer or White Wine
Trivia
[For Everyone] 'Three Cup Chicken' is the classic, but this is overwhelmingly popular among seafood lovers. The squid umami and 'Three Cups (sesame oil/soy/wine)' match abnormally well; basil completely erases any fishiness. A masterpiece.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] From the hot clay pot, toss the sauce-coated plump squid, oil-soaked fluffy garlic, and crisp basil simultaneously into your mouth!
Allergen
Squid, Soy, Wheat, Sesame