How to Make Delicious One-Sun Dried Squid on the Grill at Home

The special appeal and attraction of grilled one-sun dried squid

The dish of grilled one-sun dried squid (mực 1 nắng nướng) wins over diners not only because of its flavor, but also how it evokes the salty scent of the sea. When grilled just right, each strand of the squid tightens, emits a light aroma; when you bite into it, it is chewy yet sweet, awakening your taste buds — just thinking about it already makes your mouth water. 
One-sun dried squid is made from freshly caught squid that are dried only once under the sun to preserve natural moisture within. The outer layer is slightly firm while the inner flesh remains soft; thanks to that, when grilled the squid doesn’t dry out like ordinary dried squid, but retains its appealing sweet-fat richness.

Tips for choosing high-quality one-sun dried squid

A great grilled dish must begin with high-standard ingredients. Whether you grill over charcoal or in an oven, the quality of the squid largely determines how tasty the dish will be.
Before grilling, you should know how to pick genuine one-sun dried squid, naturally dried, and avoid those treated with excessive additives or chemical processes. 
How to recognise good one-sun dried squid:

• Colour: The squid should have a natural pink-white tone, with a darker back and a lighter tummy, without blotches.

• Squid body: Thick, the flesh firm, and when you press your finger it bounces back slightly.

• Smell: It should have the characteristic fresh seafood scent, not a strong fishy smell or odd odour.

• Dryness: The standard “one-sun” drying means the squid is only slightly firm on the surface, slightly sticky to the touch, not hardened. 
  If possible, choose squid from regions such as Cà Mau, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang or Phan Thiết — these are places with traditional one-sun squid production, high quality and rich flavour.

How to prepare one-sun dried squid before grilling

Many think that just rinsing and grilling is enough, but in fact, if you want one-sun dried squid to be fragrant, sweet, and not fishy, proper preparation is very important. A few correct steps will help preserve the squid’s freshness and make its aroma when grilled stand out. 
Proper steps:

1. Natural thawing: If frozen, let the squid thaw at room temperature. Don’t soak in hot water as this will lose sweetness and shrink the flesh.

2. Rinse with lightly salted water: Mix a little salt with cold water, rinse the squid gently to remove sand, marine residue and the fishy smell.

3. Soak in ginger wine for 5 minutes: Use white wine mixed with a few fresh ginger slices to reduce the fishy smell, make the squid more fragrant and the flesh firmer (this step is optional).

4. Score the squid body: Lightly make diagonal cuts on the body so the squid cooks evenly and absorbs seasoning better when grilled.

5. Marinate seasonings (to taste): You may lightly marinate with a little salt, pepper, chilli powder, minced garlic, cooking oil or honey for 10-15 minutes. The seasoning should just complement the squid’s natural sweetness — don’t over-marinate.

How to grill the one-sun dried squid properly

One-sun dried squid can be grilled in many ways — from traditional charcoal to an electric oven or air fryer. Each method gives its own aroma and taste; choose the method suitable for your space and preference. 
1. Grilling with charcoal:
This method gives the best flavour, as the squid is directly exposed to heat and smoke which create an irreplaceable aroma. 
Procedure:

• Heat the charcoal fire, place the grilling grid above it, grease lightly with oil so the squid doesn’t stick.

• Place the squid on the grid, grill on medium heat, turn constantly.

• Grill about 5-7 minutes per side until the squid is golden, slightly charred on the edges, and emits an aroma — then it’s done. 
  Tip from VOVE: Don’t grill with too high heat, as the outside may burn while the inside is undercooked. Keep a stable charcoal heat and keep the squid about 15 cm above the coals.

2. Grilling with an oven:
For those without charcoal, an oven is convenient, clean but still preserves attractive flavour. 
Procedure:

• Pre-heat oven to 180 °C for 5 minutes.

• Place squid on a tray lined with aluminium foil, brush lightly with oil.

• Grill at 180 °C for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway for even cooking.

• Near the end, brush a little honey so the squid turns golden and smells more fragrant. 
  After grilling, let it rest for 2-3 minutes, then shred into strips or cut into rounds, and dip in chilli-mayonnaise sauce — guaranteed “addictive” from the first bite.

3. Grilling with an air fryer:
This method is extremely convenient for modern households, quick and no smoke inhalation. 
Procedure:

• Pre-heat air fryer at 180 °C for 3 minutes.

• Place the squid inside, making sure they do not overlap.

• Grill first round at 180 °C for 7 minutes.

• Then flip, brush a little honey and grill a second round at 200 °C for another 4-5 minutes. 
  When complete, the squid should be golden, very fragrant and still maintain a naturally chewy-soft texture.

Sauces that perfectly accompany grilled one-sun dried squid

An indispensable part of enjoying grilled squid is the dipping sauce. The strength or mildness of the dish’s flavour depends a lot on the accompanying sauce. 
Suggested 3 dipping sauces:

• Green chilli-salt: Mix green chilli, coarse salt, sugar, lime juice and a little condensed milk. This dip pairs especially well with grilled squid, creating a perfect balance of spicy- salty-sour-sweet.

• Chilli-mayonnaise sauce: For those who like a creamy lightly rich flavour; dip the grilled squid for an extremely tempting taste.

• Traditional garlic-chilli fish sauce: Classic but always effective; the deep flavour of the fish sauce brings out the grilled squid’s aroma better.

How to enjoy and store grilled one-sun dried squid

Grilled squid is best enjoyed hot, just cooked; serve it with fresh herbs (such as Vietnamese coriander), cucumber, or chilled beer. If leftovers remain, you can store in a sealed container in the fridge’s cool compartment; when you want to eat it again, reheat by steaming or grilling. 
This dish is also very suitable as a party appetizer, BBQ snack or weekend treat. The aroma of grilled squid spreading through the air will make the meal warmer and more joyful.