Vegan Spam Musubi (2 ways)

Aloha! I hope everyone is doing well today. This is a dish that lives in the memories of most people who grew up in Hawai’i: SPAM musubi. This is basically spam sushi, and it’s absolutely delicious. You would pick a few up from 7-11 before or after a good hike or surf session, or an after-school snack. You’ll learn a couple different ways to make it here - one with baked tofu, and the other with the plant-based meat, Omnipork. In my opinion, the Omnipork version is closer to the original, but I understand that it can be a rather difficult ingredient to acquire. If that’s you, go ahead and use tofu!

Hawaiian Vegan Tofu Musubi

What Is Spam Musubi?

Spam musubi is the perfect blend of Japanese and Hawaiian history. Musubi is traditionally a Japanese snack, consisting of rice wrapped in nori seaweed. It often has fillings such as kombu or natto. Spam, and other canned foods, were introduced Hawai’i around the time of WWII. So naturally, they would eventually come together as a unique Hawaiian fusion!

The Rice

Good musubi starts with good rice. Japanese short-grain is my personal favorite, but any short to medium-grain rice will work just fine. Once it’s cooked, we will mix in some vinegar (coconut or rice works) & salt.

Post-hike snack!

The SPAM

So, you have a couple of options when it comes to the meaty portion of the musubi. Omnipork is my personal favorite because its flavor and texture most closely resemble spam. You can find them in the frozen section of many well-stocked grocery stores, or possibly at a specialty market. If you have issues acquiring it, I recommend using tofu, which will also give you amazing results!

The Teriyaki Glaze

We are going to use teriyaki sauce here for the glaze, which can be as simple as soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, reduced to a thick consistency to coat the Spam. This is one of the most popular ways you’ll see musubis in Hawai’i.

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Vegan Spam Musubi (Two Ways)

Makes 5 musubi

Sushi Rice

• 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice

• 2 1/2 cups water

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp salt, or to taste

Teriyaki Glaze

• 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

• 2 tbsp mirin

• 1 tbsp sake or dry sherry

• 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated

SPAM

• 5 pieces Omnipork spam, or 5 pieces of extra-firm or fried tofu, cut into 1/2” slices.

• 1 Tb canola or olive oil

Assembly:

• 5 strips of nori, 2” wide

• Furikake seasoning, or sesame seeds if unavailable

• Musubi mold, or something rectangular-shaped (can use your hands too if unavailable.

Directions:

1. Rinse the rice until clear, then add to a rice cooker and cook per instructions.

2. While the rice is cooking, add the glaze ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until combined.

3. Heat the oil in a pan on medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the tofu or omnipork slices and cook until browned on both sides. While still in the pan, add the teriyaki glaze, bring down the heat to medium, and reduce until thick, making sure that everything is well-coated.

4. Once the rice is finished cooking, fold in the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Set aside.

5. To assemble, take a ½ cup of rice and press it firmly using a musubi mold. Sprinkle some furikake on top.

6. Place a slice of your vegan spam on top of the rice, then wrap with a strip of nori, with the ends on the bottom of the musubi.

7. Seal the ends with a dab of water, and rest seam side down.

8. Repeat and enjoy!