A slice of pan-fried Spam glazed in shoyu and sugar, layered onto a brick of Koshihikari rice, wrapped in nori. The canonical Hawaiian handheld breakfast, born of WWII rations and never left.

Spam came to Hawaii during World War II when fresh meat shipments stopped; the canned protein was rationed across the islands. Japanese-Hawaiian cooks layered a slice of pan-fried Spam onto rice, wrapped it in nori, and a portable snack was born. Musubi Cafe Iyasume in Waikiki opened in 2000 to formalize the artisanal version with handmade Koshihikari rice and a dozen creative combinations. Every 7-Eleven Hawaii now stocks Spam musubi at the register; locals eat them for breakfast, the beach, and after the bars close.

Where to eat Spam musubi in Honolulu

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  • Musubi Cafe Iyasume

    Drink Iced matcha and spam musubi

    Musubi Cafe Iyasume on Kuhio in Waikiki Honolulu has handmade Koshihikari-rice spam musubi in a dozen permutations, the canonical breakfast grab-and-go.

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Make it at home

Serves 840 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 1 can (340g) Spam classic
  • 300g uncooked Koshihikari or Calrose short-grain rice
  • 60ml shoyu (Japanese soy sauce)
  • 40g granulated sugar
  • 30ml mirin
  • 4 sheets toasted sushi nori, each cut in half lengthwise

Method

  1. Rinse the rice three times until the water runs clearer. Cook in a rice cooker with the standard ratio, about 380ml water.
  2. Slice the Spam into 8 equal slabs lengthwise (about 1cm each).
  3. In a small pan, simmer the shoyu, sugar and mirin together until syrupy, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
  4. Pan-fry the Spam slices over medium heat 2 minutes per side until lightly crisp. Pour the glaze over and turn the slices once to coat.
  5. Spread a half-sheet of nori on the work surface. Place a Spam-musubi mould (or the empty Spam can with both ends removed) on top.
  6. Press a half-cup of rice into the mould, lay one slab of glazed Spam on top, then another half-cup of rice. Press firmly, lift the mould, wrap the nori around the brick. Repeat with the rest.

Editor tip. The musubi mould is cheap online and gives the canonical Iyasume shape. Without one, use the open ends of the Spam can or pack by hand into a rectangular brick.

Common allergens: Soy, Wheat, Pork.