Spam musubi is a popular Hawaiian treat consisting of grilled and glazed Spam set atop a block of sticky short-grain white rice, all wrapped in a strip of roasted nori seaweed. It's a sweet-and-salty handheld bite, perfect for meals on the go.

Who invented Spam musubi and why is it popular?

The creation is credited to Barbara Funamura, a Japanese-American woman from Hawaii. She combined American Spam with Japanese rice and nori—two staples of her heritage. Its popularity grew quickly because it’s affordable, portable, and downright delicious.

Do I need a special musubi mold to make Spam musubi?

No! A musubi mold helps with consistency and speed, but if you don’t have one, a cleaned Spam can lined with cling wrap works just as well. It’s a great no-cost hack.

What type of rice should I use?

Use short-grain white rice. It’s naturally sticky and holds shape well, which is essential for assembling musubi. You can use sushi rice or Calrose rice—avoid long-grain varieties like jasmine or basmati.

How do I make the musubi sauce?

The glaze for the musubi is crafted using sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and dark brown sugar. These ingredients simmer together into a sticky teriyaki-style sauce that caramelizes beautifully on the Spam.

Can I add other ingredients or toppings?

Definitely. You can experiment with additions like eggs, avocado, furikake, chicken katsu, kimchi, inari tofu skin, or shiso leaves. Spam musubi is endlessly customizable.

How do I store leftover Spam musubi?

Tightly wrap each musubi in cling wrap and place them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. Warm them up in the microwave using 30-second intervals until heated through.

Can I make Spam musubi in advance?

You can, but the texture may change slightly—especially the nori, which can soften. For the best bite, assemble fresh or wrap nori just before serving.

Spam Musubi Recipe: Easy 30 minute Hawaiian Snack at Home

Name: Spam Musubi Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients: 2 cups short-grain rice, cooked; 1 tsp sesame oil; 1 tbsp garlic, minced; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tbsp dark brown sugar; 1 can Spam, sliced; 4 nori sheets; Optional: avocado, omelet slices, furikake

Description

This Spam musubi recipe brings the sweet-salty taste of Hawaii into your home. Made with short-grain rice, glazed Spam, and wrapped in nori, it’s easy, fast, and fun to make.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups short-grain rice, cooked
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp dark brown sugar
1 can Spam, sliced
4 nori sheets
Optional: avocado, omelet slices, furikake

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook rice and keep warm.
Slice Spam into 8 pieces.
In pan, heat sesame oil and garlic for 30 seconds.
Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar; stir to combine.
Place Spam in sauce and cook 10 minutes until caramelized.
Clean Spam can and line with cling wrap.
Scoop in 3 tbsp rice and press.
Top with cooked Spam slice.
Cut nori into thirds or halves.
Place musubi stack on nori and wrap tightly.
Twist ends of cling wrap to hold shape if needed.
Serve immediately or wrap and refrigerate.

Notes

Use short-grain rice for stickiness.
For variations, add omelet, avocado, or furikake.
Reheat in cling wrap in 30-second microwave intervals.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Pan-fried
Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 musubi
Calories: 327.42
Sugar: 1.51g
Sodium: 788.54mg
Fat: 12.08g
Saturated Fat: 4.39g
Unsaturated Fat: 6.2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 43.77g
Fiber: 1.45g
Protein: 9.35g
Cholesterol: 30.18mg