#128 in Vietnam
Chả Mực: Basic Information
Pronunciation
Alternative Name(s)
Dish Type
Course
Mealtime
Popular Variations
Chả Mực: Origin and Region
Origin
Continent’s Region
Country’s Region
Associated Region
Chả Mực: Ingredients and Preparation
Main Ingredients
Main Cooking Method
Preparation Process
Chả Mực: A Deep Dive
Cultural Significance
Taste
Texture
Aroma
Color
Serving Style
Serving Temperature
Accompaniment
Occasions
Seasons
Special Diets
Calories
Popularity
Popular Similar Dishes
- Chả Cá
- Tod Mun Pla
- Chả Tôm
- Chả Ốc
Popular Dining Area
Chả mực is a Vietnamese delicacy that is like a fish cake but with the main ingredients being squid instead.
In Vietnam, chả mực is often shaped into round patties for frying, making it a beloved pick in Ha Long and Cam Pha cities of Quang Ninh province.
To produce this Vietnamese street-side specialty, people dice or blend the squid meat before mixing it with various spices and condiments. Then, the squid mixture is rolled into balls before being flattened for frying.
Stay tuned to learn about the method of creating this squid cake along with dishes that include chả mực. Also, I’ll also provide you with some accompaniments to have with chả mực.
Then, explore the benefits and drawbacks of eating the squid cake before discovering a few concerns that revolve around chả mực and dishes that are just like it.
Key Points
Chả Mực Images
How to Make Chả Mực?
Chả mực is made almost similar to regular fishcake. However, there are a few features that you should know:
Step 1: Select and Prepare Squid
Clean fresh squid by removing innards, skin, and cartilage, then rinse thoroughly.
Step 2: Dice or Blend Squid
Cut squid into small pieces or use a food processor to achieve a smooth, paste-like consistency.
Step 3: Season
Mix ground squid with spices and seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic, and optionally fish sauce or soy sauce.
Step 4: Form Cakes
Shape the squid mixture into round balls and then flatten them into patties, about the size of small burger patties.
Step 5: Fry
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and fry patties until golden brown on both sides.
Step 6: Drain
Remove chả mực from the pan and let them drain on paper towels. Enjoy chả mực hot, either on its own, with rice, or with nước chấm dipping sauce, accompanied by fresh herbs and vegetables.
Remove chả mực from the pan and let them drain on paper towels. Enjoy chả mực hot, either on its own, with rice, or with nước chấm dipping sauce, accompanied by fresh herbs and vegetables.
What Dishes Include Chả Mực As an Ingredient?
Chả mực is a versatile ingredient used in various dishes. Here are some examples to try out chả mực as a part of a flavorful dish:
Xôi chả mực (sticky rice with chả mực)
A nutritious breakfast dish combining white sticky rice with fried chả mực, fried shallots, and pork floss.
Bún chả mực (noodle soup with chả mực)
A soup featuring pork bone broth, sour bamboo shoots, tomatoes, pineapple, and fried chả mực.
Chả mực sốt cà (chả mực in tomato sauce)
Crispy chả mực in a mild sour tomato sauce, served with rice or noodles.
Bánh cuốn with chả mực
Steamed rice rolls, typically served with pork sausage or boiled meat, uniquely paired with crispy chả mực.
In case you want to enjoy chả mực by itself, make sure to check out some of the accompaniments that people often enjoy with this dish.
What to Serve with Chả Mực?
Chả mực, if eaten alone, requires a few accompaniments to enhance the flavor. For that, here are some options often have with chả mực:
Rice
The subtle fragrance and light texture of rice make it a perfect base to accompany the savory flavors of chả mực.
Rice vermicelli noodles
Light and refreshing, rice vermicelli noodles can be served as a base or side for chả mực, often garnished with herbs and cucumber.
Dipping sauce (nước chấm)
A tangy and slightly sweet fish sauce-based dipping sauce complements the squid’s flavor. Alternatively, a mixture of soy sauce with garlic and chilies is great for having with chả mực.
Aside from these picks of eating with Vietnamese squid cake, discover the features that will dictate your decision of eating chả mực.
Pros and Cons of Eating Chả Mực
Expand your understanding about consuming chả mực so you can decide whether to eat this squid cake dish:
Pros
Cons
Don’t forget, many people also have inquiries relating to this dish. For that, explore some of the questions about chả mực that ponder people’s curiosity.
Chả Mực FAQs
Similar Dishes of Chả Mực
Chả Cá
Chả cá is a Vietnamese fish cake that is often made from various fish.
Chả Tôm
Chả tôm is a Vietnamese dish of ground shrimp mixed and seasoned for frying.
Chả Ốc
Chả ốc is a Vietnamese snail sausage of ground snails with pork, typically steamed or fried.
Truc Tran (Kris)
Senior Food Editor
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Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert
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Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.