Tasty Spam Musubi Bowl

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Coming up with easy, budget-friendly dinner ideas can feel like a real challenge these days. Between rising grocery prices and busy schedules, it’s tempting to just order takeout – especially when you’re craving those comfort food flavors from your favorite Hawaiian spot.

That’s why this spam musubi bowl has become such a lifesaver in our house. It’s got all the taste of traditional spam musubi but comes together in one simple bowl, uses ingredients you can easily keep stocked, and costs way less than getting it from a restaurant.

What Kind of Spam Should I Use?

Regular Spam Classic is the traditional choice for Spam musubi, but don’t feel limited to just the original variety. While Classic Spam will give you that authentic Hawaiian-style taste, other varieties like Spam Lite or even Spam Less Sodium can work well in this recipe too. The key is to dice it into even cubes so it browns uniformly in the pan. If you’re watching your sodium intake, the Spam Lite or Less Sodium versions paired with the low-sodium soy sauce in this recipe will help keep the salt levels in check while still delivering that signature Spam flavor. Just keep in mind that the reduced-fat versions might not get quite as crispy as regular Spam.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe can be adapted with several substitutions, though some ingredients are key to keeping that classic musubi flavor:

• Spam: While Spam is pretty central to this dish, you can use other protein options like diced ham, turkey spam, or even firm tofu cut into cubes. Just know the taste will be different from the original.
• Mirin: If you can’t find mirin, mix rice vinegar with a bit of sugar (use 2 tablespoons rice vinegar + 1 teaspoon sugar to replace 3 tablespoons mirin). In a pinch, sweet white wine or dry sherry can work too.
• Gochujang: Since this is optional anyway, you can skip it or use sriracha sauce, sambal oelek, or even a dash of red pepper flakes for heat.
• Furikake: No furikake? Mix some crushed nori with sesame seeds and a tiny pinch of salt. It won’t be exactly the same but will give you that nice topping texture.
• Nori: If you don’t have nori, the dish will still taste good without it, or you could sprinkle on some roasted sesame seeds for a different kind of crunch.
• Rice: Any short or medium-grain rice works well here. Long-grain rice isn’t ideal as it won’t stick together as nicely, but it’ll do in a pinch.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when cooking Spam for this bowl is cranking up the heat too high – medium heat is your sweet spot for getting those perfect crispy edges without burning the meat or the sauce. Another common error is adding the soy sauce mixture too early; wait until the Spam is golden brown on all sides before pouring in the sauce, otherwise you’ll miss out on that essential caramelization. When it comes to the eggs, cooking them until completely firm will make your bowl less enjoyable – instead, aim for slightly runny yolks that create a creamy sauce when mixed with the rice. For the best texture contrast, make sure to pat your Spam dry before dicing and frying, as excess moisture can prevent proper browning and make the final dish less crispy.

What to Serve With Spam Musubi Bowls?

Since this Hawaiian-inspired rice bowl already has protein, carbs, and lots of savory flavors, I like to add some simple veggie sides to round out the meal. A quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds adds a cool, refreshing crunch that balances the salty Spam perfectly. You can also serve it with some steamed edamame pods sprinkled with sea salt – they’re super easy to prepare and fun to eat! If you want to add something warm, try some miso soup on the side, or toss together a simple cabbage slaw dressed with rice vinegar and a touch of sesame oil for extra crunch and freshness.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Your Spam musubi bowl components can be stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend keeping the cooked Spam mixture, rice, and eggs in different containers. The nori strips should be stored at room temperature in a sealed bag to keep them crispy.

Meal Prep: This is a great dish for meal prep! Cook your rice, prepare the Spam mixture, and make the eggs ahead of time. Store everything separately and assemble your bowls just before eating. The furikake can be kept in your pantry – just make sure the container is tightly sealed to maintain freshness.

Assemble: When you’re ready to eat, warm up the rice and Spam mixture in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes. Add your toppings last – especially the nori strips, as they’ll get chewy if they sit in the warm food too long. The eggs taste great cold or at room temperature, so no need to heat those up!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-25 minutes
Total Time	25-40 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 40-50 g
• Carbohydrates: 80-90 g

Ingredients

• 1 can of spam, diced
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar (choose between brown or white)
• 3 tablespoons mirin
• 1-2 teaspoons gochujang (optional)
• 3 large eggs
• Cooked rice (use regular or sushi variety)
• Furikake seasoning
• Sliced nori strips

Step 1: Prepare the Glaze

In a small bowl, combine all the glaze ingredients.

Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.

Set the glaze aside for later use.

Step 2: Cook the Egg

Cook your egg to your desired doneness.

You can choose between sunny-side up, scrambled, or hard-boiled.

Once cooked, set aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Step 3: Brown the Spam

Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Add cubes of Spam and cook until they are browned on all sides.

Stir occasionally for even cooking.

Once browned, add garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant.

Step 4: Coat the Spam with Glaze

Pour half of the prepared glaze into the skillet with the browned Spam and garlic.

Stir well to ensure each piece is coated as the sauce thickens.

Taste test and adjust by adding more glaze if desired, based on your flavor preference.

Step 5: Assemble the Dish

Place cooked rice in a serving bowl.

Sprinkle furikake seasoning evenly over the rice and add some nori strips for additional flavor.

Arrange the glazed Spam cubes on top of the rice.

Finally, add the cooked egg on top.

Drizzle with more glaze or some Kewpie mayo for an extra kick.

Serve immediately and enjoy!