Spam Onigiri (スパムおにぎり・ポーク玉子おにぎり)

Speaking of Spam, it is a historic preserved food that traveled from the US to Hawaii, and then to Okinawa, Japan. In Okinawa, it is affectionately known as “Pork Tamago” and is an essential staple in bento boxes and home-cooked meals. For me, it has been a familiar “easy-to-eat meat” since I was a child.

Finding those pink slices of pork inside Goya Champuru (Okinawa’s signature bitter melon stir-fry) always felt like finding hidden treasure. Nowadays, there is a rich variety of flavors beyond the classic—from “Teriyaki” to the zesty “Hot & Spicy.” It’s wonderful to be able to choose based on your mood.

Spam (スパム) Onigiri

Spam Onigiri (Spam Musubi) is a popular Japanese-style rice ball featuring a slice of grilled Spam on top of a block of rice, wrapped together with a strip of Nori seaweed.

Servings 2

Cook Time 10 days d

Ingredients

• 2 slices Spam
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 2 leaves Lettuce (Optional)

Instructions

• Grill Efficiently In a frying pan, grill the Spam on one side until golden brown. Use the other side of the pan to cook the egg mixed with sugar. This saves time on washing up—perfect for busy mornings!
  
• Layer and Wrap Place a sheet of Nori on plastic wrap. Layer the rice, the cooked egg, and finally the Spam on top.
  
• The Finishing Touch Use the plastic wrap to help shape and wrap the onigiri firmly. Cut it in half while still in the wrap; this keeps the cross-section beautiful and makes it easy to carry.
  

Notes

If you have lettuce in the fridge, try adding it inside! The crisp, fresh texture elevates the dish to a chic, cafe-style presentation.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: Meat

3 Sophisticated Variations to Suit Your Mood

Once you’ve mastered the basics, why not treat yourself to a slightly more luxurious version? These are perfect as a reward for yourself or even paired with wine.

• Korean-Style Kimchi-Mayo Spam Pan-fry the Spam in sesame oil and sandwich it with a mixture of kimchi and mayonnaise. The appetizing aroma makes it the perfect energizing lunch.
• Cheese & Black Pepper Top the freshly grilled Spam with cheese to let it melt from the residual heat, then add a kick of black pepper. Surprisingly, this pairs beautifully with a chilled glass of white wine.
• Avocado with Wasabi Soy Sauce The creamy “forest butter” avocado is a match made in heaven with salty Spam. A brush of wasabi soy sauce creates a rich, creamy flavor that sophisticated palates will love.