Spam Musubi: A Taste of Hawaii! Easy & Delicious Spam Rice Rolls
Bring Hawaii Home! Super Simple Spam Musubi Recipe (Fun to Make with Kids!)
Musubi is a delightful creation born from the fusion of traditional Japanese onigiri (rice balls) and Spam, a food staple supplied to military personnel in the Pacific Islands. It’s often enjoyed as a snack in Hawaii. While we may not be able to travel to Hawaii, we can certainly bring its unique flavors right into our kitchens! Experience the harmonious blend of savory Spam, fluffy egg, and fragrant rice with this easy-to-make Spam Musubi. It’s a fun and delicious recipe that’s perfect for the whole family to enjoy together.
Musubi Ingredients- 1 can Spam
- 2 eggs
- 2 bowls cooked rice (warm)
- 1 sheet of nori (seaweed for sushi rolls)
Rice Seasoning Ingredients- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the Spam. Open the can, remove the Spam, and slice it into pieces approximately 0.5cm thick. Slicing them too thinly can cause them to break easily, so maintaining a consistent thickness is important.
Step 2
Next, we’ll make a fluffy rolled omelet. Crack 2 eggs into a bowl, add 1/2 tsp of salt, and whisk them well. Lightly oil a pan and pour in the egg mixture, then slowly roll it up to create an egg omelet. Tip: Make sure the width of your rolled omelet is slightly wider than the thickness of your Spam slices. This will allow you to trim it to the same size as the Spam for a neat finish.
Step 3
Now it’s time to cut the rolled omelet to match the Spam’s size. Place a slice of Spam on top of the warm rolled omelet to gauge the size. Then, using a knife, carefully trim the four sides of the omelet to match the Spam’s dimensions. This ensures the Spam and egg fit perfectly together, creating a visually appealing musubi.
Step 4
Now, let’s season the rice! In a bowl with 2 bowls of warm cooked rice, add 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of sesame seeds, and 2 Tbsp of sesame oil. Gently mix everything together with a spatula or spoon, being careful not to mash the rice grains. The fragrant sesame oil will infuse the rice, making it even more delicious.
Step 5
It’s time to shape the musubi! Thoroughly wash and dry the empty Spam can. Line the inside of the can with plastic wrap, ensuring it covers the entire interior without any gaps. Layer the ingredients inside the wrapped can: start with a thin layer of seasoned rice, followed by the cooked Spam, then the trimmed rolled omelet, and finally another layer of rice. Press down firmly to compact the layers and form a solid shape.
Step 6
Now, let’s unmold the Spam musubi. Carefully lift the Spam can, with the plastic wrap still inside, and gently slide the shaped musubi out along with the wrap. You should have a beautifully formed musubi in the shape of the can. Next, we’ll wrap it in nori. Cut the sheet of nori into strips that match the length of your musubi.
Step 7
Place the formed musubi onto a strip of nori. Carefully roll the nori around the musubi, tucking in the sides as you go to create a tight roll. To seal the nori, you can use a small amount of mashed rice grains as ‘glue’ or lightly moisten the edge with water. This will ensure the end of the nori stays firmly in place. Let the rolled musubi sit for a moment to allow the nori to soften slightly.
Step 8
And now for the final step! Slice the tightly rolled Spam musubi into bite-sized pieces. To get clean cuts without tearing the nori, lightly moisten your knife with water before slicing.
Step 9
As you look at the sliced Spam musubi, you’ll see how the savory Spam and soft rolled omelet in the middle contribute to both the flavor and the appealing appearance. While the preparation is simple, the taste is incredibly satisfying, making it a dish you’ll want to make again and again. Each bite offers a wonderful burst of flavor that fills your mouth! While Spam, egg, and rice are delicious on their own, transforming them into musubi elevates their taste manifold. Since it’s so easy and quick to make, why not try this delightful treat anytime, not just for special occasions!
