Spam Musubi (Hawaii)

Hawaii is known for their fishing, and even their pineapples. But the food most widely consumed and enjoyed across the state is actually spam. Spam was brought in during World War II and exploded in popularity across the state. Chefs developed many recipes for spam including Spam Musubi, thinly sliced, fried, and wrapped in a nori sheet, served similarly to sushi. If you spend time in Hawaii, you’ll encounter creative spam recipes throughout the state. The Spam musubi is extremely easy to figure out: it’s just cooked rice and Spam wrapped with dried seaweed (also known as nori). Some people also marinate the SPAM in teriyaki sauce (basically soy sauce + sugar) or add a block of scrambled egg under the SPAM slice. Some people also sprinkle furikake (sea salty mixture of ground and dried fish, seaweed and sesame seeds) on the rice. Some people also use rice vinegar for the rice, which is a traditional sushi technique. You might also want to pick up a Musubi Press if you want to make this at home. Otherwise, it’s very difficult to make a solid, firm rice block.

1 (12 oz) can Spam
¼ cup oyster sauce
¼ cup soy sauce
½ cup sugar
Nori roasted seaweed used for sushi, cut into halves or thirds (I cut it into thirds to make it go further)
5-6 cups cooked sushi rice WITHOUT the vinegar mixture added

Slice the SPAM into about 8-10 slices (depending on how thick you like it) and put in a Ziplock bag.

Mix oyster sauce, soy sauce and sugar until sugar is dissolved and add to the bag with the SPAM. Marinate for about 15 minutes.

Drain off marinade and fry SPAM on each side over medium heat until slightly crispy or until desired doneness. Some people like to glaze the SPAM with the marinade/sauce AFTER frying, either way tastes great!

Place a strip of nori on a cutting board or clean surface (shiny side down).

Place your Musubi mold across the middle of the nori (so if you folded up the sides of the nori, it would wrap around the middle of the can)

Add rice to the mold, pressing down firmly and evenly, so there is about 1-1½” of rice (if the rice starts to stick to the mold too much, dip it in water. You will notice you will have to dip your fingers in water quite a bit because the rice is so sticky. I usually just keep a bowl of water right next to where I am working.)

Next, remove the mold from the rice. Now you will have a nice little block of rice right on the nori.

Add some of the cooked spam to the top. Wrap up one side of the nori and stick it to the top of the SPAM, then wrap up the other side. Just like you are wrapping a nice little pkg. Use a little water on your finger to seal if needed. Serve warm.

Some like it dipped in soy sauce, some like it with ketchup, and some like it as is. You will just have to try it all the different ways and decide for yourself which way you like it best.

Makes 4 servings.

Cook’s Notes: If you are making a lot and saving it. Wrap individually in some plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. When you are ready to eat it, unwrap and place in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.