Spam Musubi Sandwich
● United StatesSpam was introduced to Hawaii by the US military during World War II, when fresh meat was scarce. The local Japanese-Hawaiian community adapted it into musubi — a rice cake wrapped in nori, inspired by Japanese onigiri — creating something that was distinctly Hawaiian. Spam musubi is now found in every Hawaiian 7-Eleven, ABC Store, and school cafeteria.
Spam musubi is the food that represents Hawaii's multicultural food identity — the convergence of Japanese rice-and-nori tradition with American canned meat, seasoned with shoyu and sugar in a way that is entirely local. It is eaten at the beach, at sports events, as breakfast, as a road trip snack. Hawaii consumes more Spam per capita than any other US state.
Slice Spam and fry in a pan with a glaze of soy sauce and sugar until caramelised. Press hot cooked sushi rice into a Spam musubi mould (or use the Spam can itself). Place a slice of glazed Spam on top. Wrap a strip of nori around the assembly. Press firmly and eat while the rice is still slightly warm.