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.
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.
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?
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Book Some Fun Tours!
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Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
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Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
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*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
Fresh poi can be very bland. It's best with salty or strong tasting foods. I prefer poi at least a day old. The taste will change to slightly sour due to fermentation.
Next time I’ll have to ask for day old poi!
Just got back from there, didn't try the spam musubi but I did try poi (no flavor at all) and ahi poke (flavor was good, didn't like the texture).
Completely agree about the taste (or lack thereof) of poi. I did have some really good ahi poke!
Still looking for my next destination…all this talk about Hawaii – it is very tempting! Have to make a decision soon!
I can’t wait to hear where you decide on going!