Cha muc Ha Long grilled squid cake

Method

1. 1 Clean the fresh squid, remove the internal organs and skin, and drain thoroughly.
2. 2 Cut the squid into small pieces and pound them by hand in a mortar for about 15 minutes — pounding, not grinding — to keep the squid patty crispy and chewy.
3. 3 Mix the minced squid with diced pork fat, chopped dried onions, scallions, fish sauce, sugar, and pepper.
4. 4 Mix the ingredients vigorously for 5 minutes until smooth and sticky, then shape into flat, round patties.
5. 5 Fry the patties in hot oil for 6 minutes on each side until golden brown, then remove, drain excess oil, and serve hot with chili sauce.

With an appliance

• Air fryer 49 min

  Replace step 5: spray oil on both sides of the squid patties, fry at 190 degrees for 13 minutes, flip at the 7th minute; shape into evenly thick patties so that the patties are cooked through but still crispy.