Description
Hawaiian Spam Musubi is a beloved snack combining savory fried Spam, seasoned sushi rice, and crisp nori seaweed sheets, rolled into convenient bite-sized pieces. This recipe offers a flavorful and easy-to-make take on a popular Hawaiian street food that’s perfect for lunch, picnics, or quick meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Seasoning
- 2 cups short-grain sushi rice
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Pinch of salt
Spam and Marinade
- 1 can Spam (12 oz)
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Other
- 3 sheets sushi nori seaweed
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice: Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Cook according to package instructions—about 20 minutes—until tender.
- Season the Rice: In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice with rice vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold to mix evenly, ensuring the rice is seasoned throughout.
- Slice and Fry Spam: Remove Spam from the can and slice into eight rectangular pieces. Preheat a skillet over medium heat and fry the Spam slices until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, to develop a crispy exterior.
- Assemble Musubi: Lay one sheet of sushi nori on a clean flat surface. Spread about 1/3 cup of the seasoned sushi rice evenly on the nori sheet.
- Add Spam and Roll: Place one piece of fried Spam on top of the rice. Carefully roll the nori over the rice and Spam to form a tight, compact roll. Use a small amount of water to moisten the edge of the nori to seal the roll securely.
- Rest and Slice: Let the musubi rest seam-side down for five minutes to allow it to set. Then slice into bite-sized pieces for serving.
Notes
- Use short-grain sushi rice for best texture and stickiness.
- Allow the musubi to rest to help it hold shape when slicing.
- Low-sodium soy sauce helps control saltiness, but regular soy sauce may be used if preferred.
- Optional: marinate Spam briefly in soy sauce and mirin before frying for extra flavor.
- Serve musubi at room temperature or slightly chilled for authentic flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
