Experience my Spam Musubi in a Bowl recipe, a convenient twist on the classic Hawaiian favorite, offering all the delicious flavors of traditional spam musubi in an easy-to-make bowl format! With seared spam mixed with garlic sauce-infused rice, this dish delivers a quick and satisfying lunch option perfect for any day. Say aloha to the familiar taste of spam musubi, now simplified and served in a bowl!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
What sets this recipe apart is my unique take on the classic Hawaiian favorite, Spam Musubi! By using my special Spam Musubi Sauce, I’ve transformed it into a simplified bowl format that’s just as delicious! Inspired by the vibrant flavors of Hawaii, much like my Loco Moco, Spam Musubi Bake and Spam Egg Rice Plate dishes, this bowl captures the essence of island fusion cuisine.
By reimagining traditional Spam Musubi into an easy-to-make bowl—similar to my Spam Egg Rice Bowl—I’ve created the perfect option for a satisfying lunch or light meal! Featuring seared spam, garlic-infused soy sauce, and fluffy rice, each bite offers a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and meaty flavors. It’s a must-try for anyone craving the authentic taste of Hawaii!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Rice – rice of choice.
- Garlic – freshly grated garlic.
- Spam – low-sodium preferred, found in the canned meat section of grocery stores.
- Neutral Oil – no taste or flavor with high cooking temperature. Some choices are sunflower oil, peanut oil, sallower oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
- Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine, found at local grocery stores or Asian markets.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
- Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free.
- Dried Seaweed – strips of nori, pre-shredded preferred for ease.
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
Ensure you have a Large Skillet or Wok on hand to provide ample space for searing your spam.
Step 1 Combine Japanese sake, soy sauce, garlic, and sweetener in a small skillet. Bring the sauce to a soft boil, simmer for a minute and then remove from heat.
🥄 Thickening Sauce Pro Tip
If you prefer a thicker sauce, create a Cornstarch Slurry by combining 1 Tablespoon of Cornstarch with 2 Tablespoons of Water. Slowly incorporate this mixture into the sauce until it reaches your desired thickness.
Step 2 In a large skillet coated with cooking oil, introduce cubed spam, searing for about 2 minutes until they have a delightful outer crust.
🍳 Searing Pro Tip
Make sure to Preheat Your Oil before adding the spam to ensure a perfectly seared crust.
Step 3 Assemble your bowl with rice as the base, top it with the seared spam, generously drizzle the soy sauce mixture, and add finishing touches with strips of nori seaweed or dash of furikake seasoning!
🌿 Garnishing Pro Tip
Consider garnishing with Seaweed Strips or Furikake Seasoning to add visual appeal and flavor to the dish.
Pairing Recommendations
To complete your Japanese and Hawaiian-inspired meal, serve this Spam Musubi in a Bowl with a side of Simple Green Salad with Japanese Ginger Dressing, Tonjiru Pork Miso Soup, or Salmon Poke. Each dish complements the musubi’s flavors, providing a well-rounded dining experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of seaweed should I use for garnishing?
For garnishing, you'll want to use standard dried seaweed cut into thin strips.
How do I prevent the rice from becoming too soggy?
To prevent the rice from becoming too soggy, a helpful tip is to drizzle the sauce on the portion you plan to eat only.
How long does it take to cook the spam properly?
Cooking the spam properly typically takes about 2-3 minutes to sear on all sides under high heat.
Can I use a different type of rice for this recipe?
Yes, you have flexibility with the type of rice you use for this recipe. Whether it's white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, feel free to choose what suits your preference best.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will remain fresh for 3-5 days.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Watch How To Make It
Spam Musubi in a Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Rice rice of choice
- 1-2 Whole Garlic 2 for stronger garlic flavor
- 4 oz Spam less sodium
- 1 tbsp Cooking Oil neutral no flavor
- 2 tbsp Japanese Sake can substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine
- 1 tbsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/8 Sheet Dried Seaweed optional
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Grate garlic with a grater and set aside.
- In a small skillet, add Japanese sake,sweetener, grated garlic, soy sauce and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and let it reduce for 1 minute while stirring occasionally. Once a minute has passed, remove from heat and set aside. Note - if you want the sauce slightly thicker, mix in corn starch slurry or thickener of choice.
- Dice spam into small cubes, about 1/8 x 1/8 inch.
- Cut sheet of nori into thin nori strips (about 1 x 1/8 inch) with kitchen sheers.
- In a large skillet, add cooking oil on medium high heat. Once oil is up to temperature (about 2 minutes), transfer diced spam. Cook until the outside is nicely crusted, stirring frequently, about 2-3 minutes and set aside in a small bowl.
- In a serving bowl, add rice and spam. Drizzle with sauce from 3) and top with optional shredded seaweed.
Nutrition
Loved the recipe!! Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
What would you recommend to substitute the sake?
Hey Amber! The only sub we would recommend is dry sherry wine. Let us know if you have any other questions!
This looks fantastic! I am trying to figure out how many servings this recipe makes…can you please provide that info? Thanks!
Never mind, I see it makes one serving now! Was tired when I first read the recipe!
Hey Emily! Glad you found it! You also can adjust the serving size on the recipe card on the bottom of every page. If you click the blue number next to ‘servings’, a slider will pop up and adjust the ingredient qty according to how many serving you would like to make! Let us know if you have any other questions!
Wonderful, thank you! I can’t wait to try this!
I finally made this and it came out beautifully, thanks! Great recipe!
Hey Emily! So glad that you enjoyed the recipe and it came out well for you!!