Japanese Chuka Idako
Japanese Chuka Idako is a popular izakaya-style appetizer featuring small, whole baby octopuses (idako) that are typically boiled, then simmered in a sweet and savory soy-based sauce, and finally dried or semi-dried to concentrate their flavor. While the user mentions 'spicy dried squid,' the classic Chuka Idako is octopus-based and not inherently spicy; however, variations with added chili or other seasonings can exist. It is a staple of Japanese 'chuka ryori' (Chinese-influenced Japanese cuisine).
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate snack, with the octopus providing lean protein and essential minerals like selenium and vitamin B12. The glaze adds some sugar and sodium, making it moderately high in calories for a small serving, typically around 100-150 calories per 100g portion.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbs | 8 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
| Potassium | 300 mg |
| Phosphorus | 200 mg |
| Magnesium | 40 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Zinc | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 3.0 µg |
| Niacin (B3) | 2.5 mg |
| Selenium | 45 µg |
Per 1 package (100 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Chuka Idako represents the adaptation and popularization of Chinese culinary techniques in Japan, becoming a beloved bar snack. Nutritionally, it's a unique example of how drying and glazing can transform a simple seafood ingredient into a flavorful, umami-rich preserved food with a satisfying chewy texture.
