Enjoyed as a popular snack or quick lunch throughout Hawaii, Spam musubi is a unique sushi that fuses Japanese and American flavors into a savory treat!
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What is Spam Musubi?
Spam musubi consists of a slice of Spam fried in a soy sauce based glaze, placed on a bed of rice, and wrapped in a strip of nori (seaweed wrapper).
Like many dishes, you will notice slight variations depending on who is preparing it. For instance, I like to season my rice with furikake seasoning prior to adding the Spam slice as it gives a slightly salty flavor to the sushi. Others may just fry their Spam in soy sauce instead of the sweet soy sauce based glaze that I use in my recipe. While others make a Spam sandwich by placing beds of rice on the top and bottom of the Spam slice and wrapping everything in a nori strip. It really just depends on the preference of whoever is preparing it.
Spam became popular in Hawaii during World War II when canned meat was a common source of protein for American soldiers. Since then, it has become a part of Hawaiian cuisine. Today you can find Spam musubi at lunch counters, convenience stores, and in the kitchens of many Hawaiian homes.
How to Make Spam Musubi
Not only is Spam musubi delicious, it’s very easy to make. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to prepare this flavorful sushi.
1. Add oil to the skillet and heat on medium heat.
2. Remove the Spam loaf from its can and cut into eight evenly sized slices. Be sure to rinse and save the Spam can as you will need this later.
3. To make the sauce, add the brown sugar, mirin, and soy sauce to a small mixing bowl and stir until everything is combined.
4. Once the oil is hot, add the Spam slices to the skillet and cook the first side until light brown (around 2 minutes).
5. After the first side is cooked to a light brown color, flip and cook the other side for around 2 minutes, or until the second side is also light brown.
6. Once the second side is cooked, add the sauce to both sides and caramelize for around a minute. Then remove from the Spam slices from the heat and place aside until needed.
7. Cut the nori sheets into thirds and place aside until needed.
8. Line the inside of the spam can with plastic wrap so the edges are sticking out of the can. Then press around 1/3 cup of cooked, short grain rice into the bottom of the can. Be sure to press the rice into all the corners of the can so it forms into the shape of the can. They have special musubi molds but I think the Spam can works just fine!
9. Sprinkle furikake seasoning over the rice if you have it. This isn’t necessary if you don’t have any but I think it gives the musubi a good flavor.
10. Then place a slice of the fried Spam over the rice, wrap the plastic wrap around the Spam, and shape the musubi by pressing the Spam and rice firmly into the bottom of the can.
11. Carefully lift both sides of the plastic wrap to lift the musubi out of the can. Then place the musubi on one end of a nori strip.
12. Tightly wrap the nori strip around the center of the Spam and rice. Wet the end of the nori strip to seal the wrapped musubi.
13. Serve and enjoy!
Spam Musubi Recipe
Spam Musubi
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 Can Spam
- 3 Cups Cooked rice Short grained
- 3 Nori sheets
- 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp. Mirin
- 1 Tbsp. Oil (Avocado or vegetable oil)
- Furikake
Instructions
- Add oil to the skillet and heat on medium heat.
- Remove the Spam loaf from its can and cut into eight evenly sized slices. Be sure to rinse and save the Spam can as you will need this later.
- To make the sauce, add the brown sugar, mirin, and soy sauce to a small mixing bowl and stir until everything is combined.
- Once the oil is hot, add the Spam slices to the skillet and cook the first side until light brown (around 2 minutes).
- After the first side is cooked to a light brown color, flip and cook the other side for around 2 minutes, or until the second side is also light brown.
- Once the second side is cooked, add the sauce to both sides and caramelize for around a minute. Then remove from the Spam slices from the heat and place aside until needed.
- Cut the nori sheets into thirds and place aside until needed.
- Line the inside of the spam can with plastic wrap so the edges are sticking out of the can. Then press around 1/3 cup of cooked, short grain rice into the bottom of the can. Be sure to press the rice into all the corners of the can so it forms into the shape of the can. They have special musubi molds but I think the Spam can works just fine!
- Sprinkle furikake seasoning over the rice if you have it. This isn't necessary if you don't have any but I think it gives the musubi a good flavor.
- Then place a slice of the fried Spam over the rice, wrap the plastic wrap around the Spam, and shape the musubi by pressing the Spam and rice firmly into the bottom of the can.
- Carefully lift both sides of the plastic wrap to lift the musubi out of the can. Then place the musubi on one end of a nori strip.
- Tightly wrap the nori strip around the center of the Spam and rice. Then wet the end of the nori strip to seal the wrapped musubi.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spam musubi gluten-free?
As the Spam is often fried in a soy sauce based glaze, Spam musubi will likely contain gluten unless you prepare it yourself using a gluten-free soy sauce.
When is Spam musubi usually eaten?
Spam musubi is typically enjoyed as a snack or a quick lunch in Hawaii. You can find it at quick service lunch counters and convenience shops throughout the Hawaiian islands.
Final Thoughts on Spam Musubi
Preparing Spam musubi allows you to bring the flavors of Hawaii into your own home. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! Happy cooking!
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