Octopus Dishes

This classic Portuguese dish is made in the style of Lagareiro, hence the name. Lagareiro refers to a cooking style with numerous varieties, but it usually ends in dressing grilled or roasted fish and seafood with extra virgin olive oil. In this c... READ MORE

Chtapodi sti schara (grilled octopus) is a traditional octopus dish originating from Greece. Although there are variations, the dish is usually made with a combination of octopus, red wine vinegar, olive... READ MORE

The small, round takoyaki are one of the most famous Japanese snacks, made with a simple egg batter that is enriched with diced octopus pieces. These tiny balls get their signature shape from the traditional iron pan in which they are grilled. The... READ MORE

Polbo á feira (a.k.a. pulpo a la gallega) is a traditional Galician dish made by cooking octopus, potatoes, and sweet paprika powder in copper cauldrons. The cauldrons impart a unique flavor to the dish, and it is said that it is impossible... READ MORE

Pulpo al olivo is a traditional meal that is served as an appetizer or main dish. The dish consists of octopus in olive sauce. The sauce is usually made with botija olives, growing in the southern part of the country. Although there are m... READ MORE

Salade de poulpe is a traditional octopus salad originating from Languedoc. The salad is usually made with a combination of tenderized octopus, potatoes, white wine, onions, fennel, capers, parsley, paprika, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juic... READ MORE

Filetes de polvo is a traditional dish consisting of fried octopus tentacles. The octopus is boiled until tender, and it is then often seasoned with lemon juice and pepper. The tentacles are dipped in eggwash and breadcrumbs, then fried in oil unt... READ MORE

Folpetti is a traditional dish originating from Veneto. The dish is prepared with a combination of baby octopus, lemon juice, parsley, salt, black pepper, and extra-virgin olive oil. This simple preparation of Venetian-style baby octopus starts by... READ MORE

Ceviche de pulpo is a type of ceviche using octopus as the star ingredient. Commonly found along the Peruvian and Ecuadorean coast, this appetizer is ideal for those who don’t like the fishy texture and flavors of standard ceviche. It is usu... READ MORE

Stir-fried octopus is a classic Korean banchan (side dish). It is usually prepared with a small-sized octopus that is sliced and then fried in a flavorful combination of garlic, ginger, and gochujang chili paste, while other addi... READ MORE

Hobotnica ispod peke is a popular Dalmatian dish made by slowly cooking a fresh, whole octopus in its juices under a big, traditional, bell-like lid called peka. The octopus is often flavored with aromatic herbs and spices such as garlic,... READ MORE

Salata od hobotnice is a traditional octopus salad originating from Dalmatia, but it's very popular throughout the country, especially on Christmas Eve and during the summer. Although there are many versions, it's usually made with a combination o... READ MORE

Chicharrón de pulpo is a traditional seafood dish originating from Peru. It's usually made with a combination of octopus, soy sauce, mustard, eggs, milk, flour, salt, pepper, and oil. The octopus is boiled until firm, but not chewy, and it'... READ MORE

Arroz de polvo is a versatile Portuguese dish consisting of cooked diced octopus and rice, incorporated into a rich base of tomatoes, sautéed onions, garlic, and various spices. It is usually prepared in the traditional malandrinho styl... READ MORE

Salada de polvo is a traditional dish featuring tender octopus as the main ingredient. The octopus is boiled until tender, then cut into bite-sized pieces and combined with finely chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, minced garlic, and fresh co... READ MORE

Tako nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of octopus. The dish has a mild, slightly sweet and sour flavor and a texture that can be quite chewy. Traditionally, this ty... READ MORE

Adobong pugita is a Filipino specialty originating from Occidental Mindoro. This adobo dish is made with mature octopus that's cooked in a combination of vinegar and soy sauce. Other common ingredients include garlic, onions, oil, and bay... READ MORE

Salty, sticky, and chewy, sannakji is a South Korean dish consisting of raw baby octopus that is chopped and traditionally served drizzled with sesame oil. Interestingly, as the dish is served instantly after chopping, some of the pieces are still... READ MORE

Spaghetti al ragù di polpo is a traditional dish featuring spaghetti served with a ragù sauce made from octopus (polpo). This dish originates from coastal regions of Italy, particularly in the south, where seafood is a central part o... READ MORE

Anticucho de pulpo is a traditional dish originating from Peru. These skewers are usually sold on the streets and in this case they're threaded with octopus tentacles. Other ingredients for the preparation of anticuchos de pulpo include potatoes, ... READ MORE

Polpi in purgatorio (lit. octopus in purgatory) is a delicious Molisan dish made with baby octopus that is slowly stewed in a delicious spicy sauce enriched with onion slices. Octopus ink gives this dish a creamy texture and typical color, while p... READ MORE

Polpo alla luciana is a traditional dish originating from the district of Santa Lucia in Naples. The dish is made with a combination of octopus, tomatoes, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, hot peppers, red chili flakes, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Th... READ MORE

Pulpo almendrado is a traditional dish originating from the Gulf area. The dish consists of cooked octopus that's cut into bite-sized pieces and a sauce made with a combination of almonds (blanched, toasted, and chopped), onions, garlic, tomatoes,... READ MORE

Hobotnica na novaljski is a traditional dish originating from Novalja on the island of Pag. The dish is made with a combination of octopus, potatoes, olive oil, garlic, parsley, and seasonings. The octopus is cooked in boiling water (the water sho... READ MORE

Kari koko zourit is a variety of Seychellois curry featuring octopus cooked in coconut milk. It typically comprises of octopus cut into small pieces, which are first boiled, and then cooked with coconut milk. The concoction is flavored with variou... READ MORE

Muneo-juk is a traditional octopus porridge originating from South Korea. It's usually made with a combination of octopus, rice, garlic, scallions, carrots, sesame oil, fish sauce, and optional ingredients such as eggs and salt. The rice is mixed ... READ MORE

Polpo ubriaco, which translates to "drunken octopus" in Italian, is a traditional dish that involves cooking octopus in red wine. This dish is a popular part of Italian coastal cuisine, particularly in Tuscany, where fresh seafood is abundant. The... READ MORE

Quarnita-bit-tewm is a traditional octopus dish originating from Malta. The dish is usually made with a combination of octopus, garlic, olive oil, paprika, scallions, parsley, mint, and lemon juice and peel. The octopus is cleaned, cooked, and the... READ MORE

Kadon gamson is a traditional Chamorro dish made with an octopus that is cut into pieces and combined with chopped onions, cherry tomatoes, salt, and lemon juice in a pot. The dish is cooked for a short while until the octopus becomes tender, and ... READ MORE

Štokalj s jajima or kajgana sa suhom hobotnicom is a traditional dish originating from the Kvarner area, and it's especially popular on the island of Rab. The dish is made with a combination of štokalj (wind-dried octopus), eggs, oni... READ MORE

Polvo a modo ze de lino is a traditional dish originating from Cape Verde. This stew is usually made with a combination of octopus, tomatoes, onions, garlic, hot peppers (usually habanero), oil, and bay leaves. The octopus is washed and cut into p... READ MORE

Miruhulee boava is a traditional dish originating from the Maldives. The dish consists of octopus tentacles that are braised in a combination of onions, garlic, cumin, curry leaves, chili peppers, peppercorns, coconut oil, and salt. The garlic, on... READ MORE

Pijana hobotnica is a Croatian dish originating from the island of Korčula. The dish is made with a combination of octopus, garlic, onions, parsley, bay leaves, white wine, salt, pepper, and olive oil. The octopus is boiled in salted water with pa... READ MORE