Spam musubi is one of the most beloved dishes in Hawaii. It’s a simple yet delicious snack, perfect for any occasion.
It’s composed of grilled spam, sushi rice, and nori seaweed, making it a tasty and unique dish. But what should you serve with spam musubi?
Don’t worry; I will share with you my top favorite side dishes that pair perfectly and give your taste bud a wow effect.
So, hurry up! Enjoy all these tasty combinations.
A Quick solution for what to serve with spam musubi - Fried Rice, Shoyu Chicken, Kimchi, Fried Eggs, Fruit Bowl, Kimchi Fried Rice, Crispy Garlic-Ginger Potatoes, Baked Tofu, Eggplant Stir Fry, Teriyaki Chicken, Grilled Vegetables, Spicy Cucumber Salad, Fried Shrimp, Miso Soup, Edamame, Fried Noodles, Baked Potatoes, Rice Balls (Onigiri), Pickled Radish, Tempura, Sushi, Edamame Beans.
What is SPAM Musubi? What does SPAM Musubi taste like?
SPAM Musubi is a famous snack in Hawaii and other Pacific Islands. It consists of cooked Spam, rice, and nori (dried seaweed) wrapped together into a triangle-shaped sushi roll.
The flavors of the salty meat, sticky rice, and light nori combine to create a unique taste that has won over many Hawaiian hearts.
The Spam provides a salty meatiness, while the rice brings sweetness and texture.
The nori contributes a light seaweed flavor that is balanced by the other ingredients. Altogether, it makes for an interesting combination of flavors that many find very enjoyable.
The contrast between the soft, sticky rice and crunchy nori is especially delightful for many people.
SPAM Musubi can also be accompanied by a variety of toppings such as teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, and furikake to create even more deliciousness.
Top side dishes to serve with spam musubi
1. Fried Rice
Fried rice is a classic side dish for any type of Asian cuisine, and it goes especially well with spam musubi.
To make delicious fried rice, you can cook up some white or brown rice and set it aside. Then, heat some oil in a pan and cook up your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers and onions.
Once done, add the cooked rice to the pan and mix everything together until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Finally, season generously with soy sauce and sesame oil before serving alongside your spam musubi.
2. Shoyu Chicken
Shoyu chicken is another popular side dish in Hawaii that pairs wonderfully with spam musubi.
To make this dish, marinate chicken pieces overnight in a mixture of soy sauce, sake (rice wine), garlic, ginger, and sugar.
Then, fry or bake the chicken until it’s golden brown and crispy on the exterior while still juicy on the inside. Serve alongside your spam musubi for an amazing combination of flavors!
3. Kimchi
One of my favorite Kimchi is a spicy fermented cabbage dish that is usually served as a side to many Korean dishes, including bibimbap and japchae noodles.
It has become increasingly famous around the world due to its unique flavor profile and a multitude of health benefits.
To make kimchi, simply mix together cabbage leaves with garlic, ginger, chili paste, fish sauce (or vegan-friendly alternatives), salt, sugar, and sesame oil before fermenting for several days or weeks until it reaches your desired level of spiciness and tanginess.
Serve alongside your spam musubi for an amazing flavor contrast!
4. Fried Eggs
Fried eggs are a classic pairing for spam musubi. The savory flavor of the egg contrasts nicely with the sweet and salty flavors of the spam musubi, creating an amazing combination of flavors.
Plus, fried eggs are incredibly easy to make—all you need is some oil or butter and a few minutes on the stovetop!
For an even more filling meal, try adding some cheese or vegetables to your fried eggs.
5. Fruit Bowl
If you’re looking for something lighter to serve alongside your spam musubi, consider throwing together a fruit bowl.
There’s no wrong way to make one—just choose whatever fruits are in season or look especially fresh at the grocery store. Berries, bananas, apples, oranges, grapes—the possibilities are endless!
The sweetness of the fruit will be a nice contrast to the salty-savory taste of spam musubi.
6. Kimchi Fried Rice
Kimchi fried rice is a spicy and flavorful dish that pairs nicely with SPAM Musubi.
The combination of the savory flavors of kimchi and the sweetness of the musubi makes for an unforgettable meal.
7. Crispy Garlic-Ginger Potatoes
For those who love their potatoes crispy and flavorful, this garlic-ginger potato side dish is sure to please your taste buds!
The texture and flavor contrast nicely with the softness of the musubi and provide you a unique twist on traditional potato dishes.
More: Best side Dishes Must Serve with Cheesy Potatoes- Quick & Easy
8. Baked Tofu
You can baked tofu is simply delicious, especially when served alongside SPAM Musubi!
The savory flavor of the tofu complements the salty, sweet flavors of the musubi perfectly.
9. Eggplant Stir Fry
Eggplant stir fry is a great way to add some vegetables to your meal while still enjoying all the flavors from the musubi!
The eggplant gives you an additional layer of texture that helps balance out all other elements in this delicious dish.
10. Teriyaki Chicken
Try Teriyaki chicken, it is always a hit at any dinner table, but it goes exceptionally well with SPAM Musubi!
The sweet teriyaki glaze adds just enough sweetness to contrast against the saltiness of the musubi and makes for one tasty meal!
11. Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables are always a healthy way to add some extra flavor and texture to any meal—especially when served alongside SPAM Musubi!
Whether you choose zucchini or bell peppers (or both!), these veggies will bring life into this yummy Hawaiian classic!
12. Spicy Cucumber Salad
Spice up your dinner by adding this cucumber salad onto your plate alongside your favorite SPAM Musubi recipe!
This simple yet flavorful dish will help cool down any potential spice overload from your main course while still adding plenty of flavor to each bite!.
13. Fried Shrimp
Fried shrimp is definitely an incredibly delicious addition to any meal—but especially so when served with SPAM Musubi!
The savoriness from both elements will leave you wanting more after every bite!
14. Miso Soup
Miso soup is commonly served as part of Japanese meals, but it pairs wonderfully with Hawaiian dishes like SPAM Musibi as well!
The light yet flavorful broth helps you add depth without overpowering any other flavors on your plate.
15. Edamame
Edamame beans are not only delicious but also incredibly healthy for you—so why not serve them alongside your favorite Hawaiian treat?
These little green beans go great with almost anything, but their subtle crunchiness really pops when paired against something like a warm musubi roll!.
16. Fried Noodles
You must try Fried noodles, which are a classic side dish in Hawaii, and they have the perfect texture and flavor to be served alongside Spam musubi.
These delicious noodles can be cooked with garlic and butter for added flavor or served plain. Either way, they’ll be sure to add an extra layer of savory goodness to your meal.
17. Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes pair perfectly with Spam musubi because of their creamy texture and subtle sweetness.
Simply bake the potatoes until they’re tender, then top them off with butter or sour cream before serving.
18. Rice Balls (Onigiri)
Onigiri is another classic Japanese snack that goes perfectly with Spam musubi!
This simple dish consists of steamed white rice shaped into triangular balls and filled with various ingredients like pickled plum or salmon flakes for added flavor.
The combination of rice ball flavors will contrast nicely against the salty taste of the Spam musubi, creating an exciting experience for all your taste buds!
19. Pickled Radish
Pickled radish is a popular Japanese side dish that can be quickly prepared and tastes great alongside spam musubi!
Simply slice up some daikon radish into thin strips and let them marinate in vinegar overnight—the end result will have a tangy yet sweet taste that pairs delightfully well against spam musubi’s saltiness!
20. Tempura
Tempura is another great Japanese side dish that goes well with spam musubi—and it’s surprisingly easy to make at home too!
All you need are some tempura batter mix (available at any Asian grocery store) plus some vegetables like mushrooms or eggplant—then deep fry away till golden brown perfection is achieved!
Served hot off the oil, tempura adds crunchy texture as well as delightful flavor contrast against the softer consistency of spam musubi’s rice base… yummmm!!!
21. Sushi
Sushi may not seem like an obvious choice when pairing it up with spam musubi but trust us on this one – there is nothing quite like having bite-sized pieces of sushi alongside your favorite Hawaiian treat!
Go ahead and try different types of sushi, such as maki rolls, nigiri, sashimi, etc. There really isn’t anything quite like it!
22. Edamame Beans
Edamame beans make an excellent accompaniment to spam Musibi as they bring out its unique flavors while adding even more depth to this wonderful meal!
These little green beans are loaded with protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamins A & C … so not only do they provide you nutritional benefits, but they also look very attractive when served!
Some other food you can serve with spam musubi
- Sticky RicePineapple coleslaw
- Mango and Black Bean Salad
- Hawaiian sweet bread rolls
- Okara Sauteed with vegetables
- Mashed Peas
- Miso soup
- Gochujang glazed onigiri
- Egg drop soup
What are the best flavors to go with SPAM Musubi?
The most popular flavors to go with SPAM Musubi are soy sauce, teriyaki, garlic butter, BBQ, and furikake.
Soy sauce is a classic flavor that pairs perfectly with the salty taste of SPAM. Teriyaki adds a sweet and savory note to the dish, while garlic butter offers a rich and creamy contrast to the salty SPAM.
BBQ adds a smoky flavor, and furikake brings an umami-packed pop of savory.
Other flavors that also go well with SPAM Musubi are chili garlic, wasabi mayo, honey mustard, and sesame ginger. Experiment to find your favorite flavor combination!
How do you jazz up a SPAM Musubi?
There are many different ways to jazz up a SPAM Musubi. One popular way is to add a variety of sauces or condiments, such as teriyaki sauce, spicy mayo, or Ponzu sauce.
Additionally, you can top the musubi with furikake (a Japanese seasoning), seaweed flakes, sesame seeds, or shredded nori (seaweed paper).
You can also use different types of rice, such as sushi rice, short-grain brown rice, or even sticky rice. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try using creative fillings like kimchi or pickled vegetables.
Finally, if you want more of a snack, you can even fry your SPAM Musubi for a delicious crunchy treat. No matter how you choose to jazz up your SPAM Musubi, it’s sure to be an interesting and tasty snack!
Happy snacking!
What is the best way to serve SPAM Musubi on any occasion?
One of the best ways to serve SPAM Musubi on any occasion is to make a big batch of it. This allows you to have plenty of servings available for whatever size gathering you are hosting.
You can also customize your musubis with different flavors and toppings, such as teriyaki sauce, seaweed, bonito flakes, or even a spicy topping to make it extra special.
To assemble your musubis, simply cook the SPAM as per the instructions on the package and cut it into thin slices.
Then take a block of sushi rice and shape it into a rectangle or triangle and place the SPAM slice on top. Secure with a piece of nori (seaweed) wrap and serve with your favorite sauces.
SPAM Musubi can also be cut into bite-sized pieces for a more convenient snack. Serve it as an appetizer or a quick snack, and enjoy the delicious flavor of SPAM Musubi!
For even more creative recipes, try adding other ingredients, such as vegetables and eggs, to your SPAM Musubi. This is a great way to add more flavor and texture to the dish.
Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer or as a main course, SPAM Musubi will be sure to please any crowd! So don’t hesitate to give it a try at your next gathering. Enjoy!
FAQs on What to serve with spam musubi
Q1. Is Spam musubi a side dish?
Spam musubi is a famous snack in Hawaii, and it can be served as either a side dish or as its own meal. It typically consists of a block of cooked white rice that is topped with a slice of fried spam and wrapped together with nori (dried seaweed).
The combination makes for easy-to-eat finger food that is both tasty and filling. Spam musubi can also be made up ahead of time and enjoyed cold, adding to its convenience.
Because it’s so convenient, many people enjoy having it as a side dish to accompany other dishes like poke or teriyaki chicken. No matter how you enjoy it, Spam musubi can definitely add something special to the dinner table!
Q2. Is Spam musubi served hot or cold?
Spam musubi is usually served at room temperature, but it can be served either hot or cold. If you prefer your Spam musubi warm, you can heat it up in the microwave. When reheating Spam musubi, make sure not to overheat it as this will cause the rice to become dry and hard.
You can also opt to serve your Spam musubi chilled by storing it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. To ensure that your Spam musubi stays moist and flavorful regardless of whether you serve it hot or cold, be sure to wrap each piece securely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Enjoy!