Calamares is a popular Filipino appetizer and street food made from battered and deep-fried squid rings. Known for its golden, crispy coating and tender, slightly chewy squid inside, calamares is a favorite among Filipinos, whether as a quick snack, bar chow, or appetizer in many local restaurants. This dish combines textures and flavors that are both satisfying and light, making it hard to resist.

To make calamares, fresh squid is cleaned, cut into rings, and then coated in a seasoned batter or dredged in flour and breadcrumbs to create a crunchy exterior when fried. Some variations marinate the squid briefly in vinegar, lemon juice, or spices to enhance flavor and tenderize it before coating. The squid rings are then deep-fried until they reach a golden-brown perfection, resulting in a crispy outside and a tender, slightly bouncy inside.