Spam Musubi

A little view into the delicious middle.

We celebrated Chinese New Year this week at work. Kevin got to talking about his love of canned meats from childhood the day before. I too have fond memories which caused me to buy some Spam, probably at the beginning of the pandemic. Knowing I had it in my pantry, my discovery of his love of the stuff, and being a years long fan of musubi, I thought I’d bring it to the work pot luck.

I’ve always wanted to make this. I order it where ever I find it on the menu, which isn’t in too many places here in Ohio. This was my first shot. I used the can to form my musubi, but as I type the plastic forming tool sits in my Amazon basket. The steps below describe how to use the can, because seriously that’s what you’re likely going to have.

The nashiki rice, nori and furikake are all available at the Asian grocery or a well stocked Walmart.

Spam Musubi

For Chinese New Year we had a mini potluck at work. We just so happened to have a conversation about canned meat the day before so I thought for my part I’d make Spam Musubi for the gang. I had two cans of Spam in my pantry and needed to run to to get some Nori and Nishiki (sushi) rice.

I don’t have have the rice form so I used the can and plastic wrap to shape the rice. I’ll picking up a musubi rice mold soon because these will be made again.

This recipe is for 16 pieces

3 cups nishiki rice

4.5 cups water

2 cans Spam

½ cup teriyaki sauce

2 tablespoons furikake

6 sheets nori

Rinse rice and soak for 30 minutes.

In a heavy pot with a lid, bring the rice and water to a simmer. Cover with a thin cloth, lid and cook on low for 20 minutes.

Turn off heat and let sit undisturbed for 20 minutes. Remove lid. Create musubi while the rice is cool enough to handle, but still warm.

Cut each Spam loaf into 8 horizontal slices.

Fry in a skillet until color forms, flip and cook both sides. Work in batches. Return all the Spam to the pan, add teriyaki and warm through. Careful not to break the Spam slices.

Cut the nori into thirds.

Line a Spam can with a piece of plastic wrap. Put about ⅓ cup of cooked rice into the can, sprinkle with furikake then top with Spam slice. Press to the bottom of the can evenly with a flat kitchen tool. Or use a mold maker.

Lay Spam side down on a piece of nori with the rough side of the nori facing the Spam. Fold over and overlap the nori on the rice side. Seal using a fingertip dipped in water.

Individually wrap each musubi in plastic wrap if you are serving them later, to keep the rice from drying out. If you are serving immediately, arrange on a plate.