Baby Squid (Chopitos) — Crispy Fried Tentacles at Taperia La Mina
Our Baby Squid (Chopitos) are one of the most addictive and universally loved tapas on the Spanish coast. These tender, bite-sized cephalopods are lightly dredged in seasoned flour and quickly fried in extra virgin olive oil until they puff up into irresistibly golden morsels. At Taperia La Mina in Benidorm, we serve them sizzling hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon, exactly as you would find in the chiringuitos lining the beaches from Tarifa to Tarragona.
Why Baby Squid Make the Best Chopitos
Not all chopitos are created equal. The key is using truly baby squid — no larger than the palm of your hand — whose thin body walls and delicate tentacles cook almost instantly in hot oil. This rapid frying creates a texture that is shatteringly crispy on the outside while remaining incredibly soft and almost creamy within. Older, larger squid require longer cooking and develop a chewiness that no amount of batter can disguise. At Taperia La Mina, we source only the freshest baby squid from the morning fish markets of the Costa Blanca.
The Coastal Chiringuito Tradition
In Spain, eating fried seafood while your feet are practically in the sand is a sacred tradition. The chiringuito — a simple beach bar — is the spiritual home of chopitos, where they are served on paper plates with ice-cold beers and bowls of alioli. At Taperia La Mina, we recreate this seaside magic in Benidorm, where the Mediterranean stretches endlessly and the aroma of olive oil meeting hot squid is the smell of summer itself.
Perfect Pairings for Chopitos
Our baby squid pairs beautifully with a cold beer or a glass of chilled manzanilla sherry. For a complete seafood experience, combine them with our Grilled Squid to compare two very different cooking techniques on the same ingredient. Discover the authentic flavors of the Costa Blanca at Taperia La Mina.