烏賊(いか)

烏賊(いか) refers to squid. The kanji literally means "crow thief" (from an old legend).

Alternative writing: イカ (katakana, very common)

Common dishes:

• 烏賊(いか)の刺身(さしみ) (squid sashimi)
• 烏賊焼(いかや)き (grilled squid)
• 烏賊(いか)そうめん (squid cut into thin noodle-like strips)
• 烏賊(いか)フライ (fried squid)
• 烏賊(いか)墨(すみ)パスタ (squid ink pasta)

Counter: 杯(はい) (whole squid) or 匹(ひき)

Note:
烏賊(いか) is distinct from 蛸(たこ) (octopus). Squid have 10 arms while octopuses have 8. The expression 烏賊(いか)墨(すみ) (squid ink) is used in cooking.