Spam Musubi: A Hawaiian Delicacy

This post may contain affiliate links, that help support this blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission—at no cost to you. For more information read my disclosure.

While in Maui, there were a few expected Hawaiian delicacies eaten; juicy shrimp from a food truck, fresh pineapple straight from the farm and even sweet shaved ice. What was unforeseen was the popularity of Spam Musubi, both the Spam itself part, as well as, the Asian musubi twist.

Hawaiian Spam Musubi in Maui

What is hawaiian spam musubi

Spam Musubi is like a Hawaiian sushi. It is seaweed wrapped around rice and topped with a grilled slice of Spam (a canned pork patty).

Prior to my first ever Spam adventure, there was a premier shaved ice episode. Nothing wrong with eating dessert first. Ever.

The first night in Maui, dessert just had to be shaved ice. And this flavored ice delicacy wasn’t too difficult to find. There were little random shaved ice shops along most major roads. We chose the one with the longest line, Ululani’s in Lahaina. When you have no other viable recommendations, always choose the busiest place in town.

Annette White Eating Shaved Ice

After a short ten minute wait, I selected one of Ululani’s ‘favorite combinations’, the Haleakala made with coconut, leche and topped with sweetened condensed milk.

These aren’t those wimpy kiddie snow cones from back in the day, they are made with shaved ice, not crushed. It makes a difference.

These compacted, pseudo snow cones were almost as big as my head. Really big. And the intense flavor was dispersed throughout the entire cone. Not just in the center.

On the way back to our hotel, the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua, we stopped by the nearby Honolua Store for a snack. In the hot case was something odd that I had never seen before, Spam Musubi. Huh? Even with all of the weird food I have nibbled on, somehow Spam escaped me. Knowing that this was a Hawaiian delicacy made me not think twice about buying one. Just one.

It looked liked sushi. Did it taste like chicken?

No. It actually tasted like a smoked, salty ham. But, not the juicy ham that your grandma makes on Thanksgiving, more like a pork hot dog patty. 

Have you ever had Spam Musubi or Shaved Ice?

Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!

Book Your Flight
Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘cheapest month’ to find the lowest fares for your destination (I use this all the time!).

Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range. 

Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with Discover Cars for the best prices and top brand options.

Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.

Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.

*Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.


Related

Maui Bucket List: 40 Best Things To Do on the Top Hawaiian Island
Weird Food Bucket List: 60 Strange Foods From Around the World
Attend a Hawaiian Luau in Maui
Walk a Black Sand Beach on the Road to Hana
Facing Pineapple Gluttony in Hali’imaile
Swim with Sea Turtles in Olowalu
The 17 Best Road to Hana Stops on the Hawaiian Island of Maui

14 thoughts on “Spam Musubi: A Hawaiian Delicacy”

Leave a Comment

Annette White the Owner of Bucket List Journey
Visit My Shop!
buck & co.

buck & co. has the tools, resources and inspirational products to help every dreamer start living their bucket list—one checkmark at a time.

Google Tracker Spreadsheet
Create a Bucket List Course