National SPAM Musubi Day

National SPAM Musubi Day celebrates the Hawaiian snack made from grilled SPAM, rice, and nori (dried seaweed). Observed annually on August 8, the date’s 8/08 format pays tribute to Hawaiʻi’s 808 area code.

Musubi has roots in Japanese food traditions brought to Hawaiʻi by immigrant communities in the 19th century. During and after World War II, SPAM became part of local food culture, and it was incorporated into dishes alongside readily available rice. The modern SPAM musubi—typically a slice of grilled or pan-fried SPAM atop seasoned rice and wrapped in nori—was created on Kauaʻi in 1983, according to L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. Some accounts dispute who first made the snack, with Mitsuko Kaneshiro and Barbara Funamura both credited in different histories. A history of the dish from QSR Magazine describes both its Japanese roots and its wartime connection.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue established National SPAM Musubi Day in 2021, and the day was recognized through a proclamation by Hawaiʻi Governor David Y. Ige. The restaurant chain had added SPAM musubi to its mainland menu in 1999, helping introduce the Hawaiian snack to more diners outside the islands. USA Today’s account of the holiday and the snack’s background includes comments from L&L about the day’s creation.

How to Observe National SPAM Musubi Day

Celebrate by enjoying a SPAM musubi, whether you pick one up from a restaurant or prepare one at home. Make a simple version with grilled or pan-fried SPAM, cooked rice, and a strip of nori; soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, or furikake can add extra flavor. Share the snack with friends or family, and learn more about the Japanese and Hawaiian influences behind this compact, portable food.

Exclusive Content

Enjoying Checkiday? It takes a lot of support from fans like you to run a free website. For exclusive content and other perks, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Thank you!

Sponsor

This event does not currently have a sponsor. If you'd like to increase visibility for this event while gaining exposure for yourself or your brand, you can learn more here.

Something Wrong or Missing?

We would love to hear from you! Please contact us using this form.

Observation Notifications

Would you like to be notified before the next observation? Add this event directly to your calendar with this link. You may also sign up here to be told when other notifications are available!