Spam musubi is a well loved Hawaiian snack that’s perfect for any occasion. This delightful combination of sushi rice, nori, and grilled or pan fried Spam is easy to make and delicious.
These are a very popular choice for tourists and locals alike and are usually served at picnics, beach parties or Luau feasts. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe will show you how to prepare spam musubi at home in simple approachable steps.
If you love this recipe, you should try Hawaiian macaroni salad and Loco moco next!
Hawaiian Spam musubi recipe
Raise your hand if you thought it was Spam masubi instead of Spam Musubi when you first heard about this island snack?
This Hawaiian comfort food blends the flavors of marinated canned meat with Japanese-inspired rice rolls, resulting in a filling snack that's packed full of flavor.
It's no wonder it's fast becoming a favorite beyond the beautiful shores of the islands.
Recipe Highlights
Easy to Make: Spam musubi requires minimal ingredients and is straightforward to prepare, making it an excellent choice for both experienced cooks and beginners.
Versatile: Whether you enjoy it as a quick snack, a party appetizer, or a part of a spam musubi bowl, its versatility is unmatched.
Portable: Perfect for on-the-go eating, spam musubi is ideal for picnics, plate lunches, lunchboxes or a beach day.
Delicious Flavor: The combination of savory Spam, seasoned rice, and nori creates a unique and irresistible taste experience.
Ingredients
- Spam
- Sushi rice
- 4 Tablespoons Furikake rice seasoning
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
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- Skillet
- Saucepan to cook the rice
- Musubi maker
How to make Spam Musubi
Let's make some spam musubi! First open the can and slice the spam into 8 equal slices.
Mix the soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil to make a marinade. Then soak the spam slices in the marinade.
Pan fry the marinated spam slices in skillet on medium heat until the edges are caramelized and slighty crispy to your liking. About 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Cut the nori sheets in half, place one half on a parchment paper lined surface.
Place the musubi mold over the nori sheet in the middle, then fill it with about ⅓ to ½ cup of rice. Next sprinkle about 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons of Furikake seasoning over the rice, then top it off with the cooked spam.
Put the top of the musubi mold over the spam and press it down lightly but firmly to help rice stick together and make a compact musubi.
Gently remove the mold then wrap the spam musubi with the nori sheets sealing the edges with a little dab of water if needed.
Repeat process till all ingredients are used up.
If you intend to make spam musubi with eggs, make a plain omelette with 4 eggs, slice up then place each slice right before you put the spam in the mold.
Spam musubi Variations
One popular twist is spam musubi with egg. This version includes a layer of fried egg, which adds an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Another favorite is the spam musubi bowl, which deconstructs the traditional musubi making it easier to enjoy in a bowl with a fork or spoon. Dice and marinate the spam then pan fry in the marinade till crispy. Serve over rice seasoned with firukake, with some fried egg. You can also add some sauces like Bang bang sauce to the mix.
These variations are other ways to enjoy this classic treat.
What to serve with it
Spam musubi pairs well with various sides to create a elaborate complete meal. You can serve with
Steamed or sauteed veggies like broccoli.
Miso Soup: A warm bowl of miso soup complements the flavors of spam musubi perfectly.
Salads like this Hawaiian macaroni salad.
How to store spam musubi
Spam musubi is best eaten fresh. However, you can get away with storing it for up to 2 days wrapped individually in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
When ready to eat, you can reheat them by microwaving for about 30 seconds to one minute, or until warm. Note that the nori sheets won't be as crispy as when it was first made.
If you'd like you can swap out the nori with new sheets after reheating or just deconstruct the leftovers into a Spam Musubi bowl.
Helpful Tips
- Use Fresh Rice: Freshly cooked sushi rice sticks together better.
- Press Firmly: When assembling the musubi, press the rice and Spam firmly to ensure it holds its shape.
- Use an air fryer: If you have one, you can cook your spam in it for 8 to 10 mins at 400°F (200°C)
- Cut Evenly: Use a sharp knife to cut the Spam slices evenly, ensuring a uniform look and consistent cooking. However be mindful of how thin you cut them because they shrink a bit as they cook.
- The quantity of rice you put in the mold is up to you. Remember to factor in that it will be pushed down.
FAQs
Regular Spam is the most commonly used however feel free to swap it out with your favorite flavored varieties like Turkey, teriyaki or maple.
While sushi rice is traditional, you can use other short-grain rice varieties that can get sticky. Long-grain rice is not recommended as it doesn’t stick together well.
A musubi mold helps achieve a consistent shape, while it's preferred, you can also shape the musubi by hand or use a small rectangular container.
More recipes like this one
- Hawaiian loco moco
- Furikake salmon recipe
- Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
Spam musubi is a delightful and versatile dish that’s easy to make and loved by many.
Whether you enjoy it as a snack, part of a spam musubi bowl, or try variations like spam musubi with egg, it’s sure to become a favorite if you love Hawaiian cuisine. Ready to try making your own spam musubi? Let's go!
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Spam musubi
Equipment
- Large nonstick skillet
- Musubi mold (optional)
Ingredients
- 12 ounce Spam (any flavor)
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 sheets roasted seaweed sushi nori, cut in half
- 3 cups medium grain sticky rice or sushi rice cooked according to package
- 4 tablespoons furikake rice seasoning optional
Instructions
- Slice the spam into 8 equal slices.
- Mix the soy sauce, brown sugar and sesame oil to form a marinade
- Pour the marinade over spam slices to coat it.
- Pan fry the spam slices over medium heat until caramelized and slightly crispy about 3 to 4 mins per side.
To assemble the musubis:
- Place one strip of nori parchment paper covered surface,then place the musubi mold in the center and fill it with about ⅓ to ½ cup of rice. Sprinkle on the furikake rice seasoning over the rice if using.
- Top off the rice with a slice of cooked Spam.
- Place the top of the musubi mold on the spam and press it down firmly to help the rice stick together.
- Gently remove the mold, then wrap the nori around the rice and Spam. Dab the edges with a little water to help it stick together.
- Repeat these steps with the rest of the ingredients.
- Serve as is or with your favorite dipping sauce like sriracha, teriyaki sauce, or ketchup for dipping. Please refer to blogpost for more serving suggestions.
Notes
- Freshly cooked sushi rice sticks together better
- When assembling the musubi, press the rice and Spam firmly to ensure it holds its shape.
- If you have an air fryer, you can cook your spam in it for 8 to 10 mins at 400°F (200°C)
- Use a sharp knife to cut the Spam slices evenly, ensuring a uniform look and consistent cooking. However be mindful of how thin you cut it because they shrink a bit as they cook.
Chichi says
Hope you get to try this recipe and that your family enjoys it as much as we did. 👌