Grilled Squid

Grilled squid is a popular Qingdao street snack—squid skewered or grilled whole over charcoal, brushed with sauce and dusted with chilli and cumin for a powerfully fragrant bite.

Drawing on Qingdao's rich seafood and its street-barbecue culture, grilled squid rose to become a crowd-pleasing snack at night markets and along the seaside.

Usually held on a skewer and eaten on the move while still hot, it is a grab-and-go snack for strolling, seaside outings and night markets—and especially good with a beer.

The squid is charred outside and tender within with a satisfying chew, smoky with sauce, cumin and chilli—an easy, fun taste of Qingdao's seaside street life.