OCTOPUS

Baby Octopuses are cephalopods closely related to squid, calamari and cuttlefish. Baby Octopuses live in marine environments ranging from shallow pools to deep water. Baby Octopuses are found in all Vietnamese waters but are caught commercially predominantly across Mekong Delta and Gulf of Thai. The majority of those caught are as by-catch of trawl, dredge and pot and net fisheries.Baby Octopus is available fresh year-round with harvesting daily by our local fisherman.

Baby Octopus has no internal skeletons, and once cleaned of their eyes, sharp beak, viscera and ink sacks, they can be cooked entirely. Baby Octopus meat cooks up white with a delicate, slightly- sweet, briny flavor and firm texture. Especially low fat content.

If cooked incorrectly Baby Octopus can be very chewy. Like calamari and squid, tender baby octopus is achieved by either a very short cooking time on a high temperature (try stir frying or BBQ'ing), or a long slow wet cooking method such as braising. Marinating before cooking will help tenderise the meat.

There are many other techniques employed to tenderize Baby octopus, these include throwing Baby octopus against rocks or tumbling in a cement mixer (Greek), boiling with a cork (Italian), dipping 3 times in boiling water and then simmering in a copper pot (Spanish) and beating with a radish (Japanese)

Recipe: Jjukkumi Gui (Spicy Grilled Baby Octopus), Baby Octopus Salad, Baby Octopus Smothered In Escarole, Seasoned Baby Octopus (Chuka Iidako).