Bringing together bold flavors and satisfying textures, Quick & Easy Spam Rice Balls are a Japanese-inspired snack that’s savory, portable, and surprisingly versatile. Combining crispy Spam, seasoned rice, egg, mayo, furikake, and seaweed, these flavorful rice balls are ideal for lunch boxes, casual snacking, or quick meals. With just a few steps and pantry-friendly ingredients, you’ll have a delicious dish that delivers umami in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These rice balls offer a perfect balance of salty, savory, and slightly sweet flavors—thanks to caramelized Spam and umami-rich seasonings like soy sauce, mirin, furikake, and seaweed. Their compact size makes them easy to eat on the go or include in a bento. They’re also customizable, quick to make, and require no special equipment. Whether you’re craving a snack, prepping meals, or feeding a crowd, these rice balls are a fun and satisfying option.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Rice Mixture
- cooked sticky rice (short- or medium-grain)
- canned Spam, diced (any flavor such as teriyaki or jalapeño)
- chopped scallions
- mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie)
- roasted seasoned seaweed, crushed
- furikake (bonito & egg flavor preferred)
- scrambled egg (optional)
For Sautéing & Serving
- neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or avocado)
- soy sauce
- mirin (or sake)
- sesame oil
- sugar
- toasted sesame seeds (black or white)
Directions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil in a skillet over medium heat. Scramble the egg with a pinch of salt until just set. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil and sauté the diced Spam until lightly browned and crisp, about 1 minute.
- Add soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and sugar to the Spam. Stir and cook for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes thick and glossy. Remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm cooked rice, sautéed Spam, scrambled egg (if using), chopped scallions, mayonnaise, crushed seaweed, and furikake. Mix gently but thoroughly.
- With damp or gloved hands, scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and form into firm rice balls. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
- Place the rice balls on a serving plate and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate and enjoy chilled.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 4 rice balls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Calories per serving: 180 kcal
Variations
- Spicy version: Add a small amount of sriracha or gochujang to the rice mixture for a spicy kick.
- Cheesy twist: Insert a small cube of cheese into the center of each rice ball before shaping.
- Vegetarian option: Substitute Spam with sautéed mushrooms or tofu cubes.
- Seafood swap: Replace Spam with canned tuna or flaked salmon seasoned in the same way.
- Nori wrap: Wrap each rice ball with a small strip of nori for a traditional onigiri presentation.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store rice balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Microwave for 20–30 seconds until warm, or enjoy them cold.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture of the rice and seaweed may change after thawing.
FAQs
What type of rice should I use?
Use short- or medium-grain sticky rice for best results. Long-grain rice won’t hold its shape as well.
Can I use a rice mold?
Yes, rice molds or onigiri molds work well to create uniform shapes, though hand-shaping is perfectly fine.
Is Kewpie mayo necessary?
Kewpie mayonnaise adds a richer umami flavor, but regular mayonnaise can be used as a substitute.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can make them up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge and eat chilled or reheat slightly.
What does furikake taste like?
Furikake is a savory Japanese seasoning made from seaweed, sesame seeds, dried fish, and seasonings. It adds crunch and umami.
Can I make these egg-free?
Absolutely. The scrambled egg is optional and can be omitted without affecting the overall result.
How do I prevent the rice from sticking to my hands?
Wet your hands lightly with water or wear disposable gloves to prevent sticking when forming rice balls.
Are these suitable for kids?
Yes, they’re great for lunchboxes and easily adjustable in flavor for younger palates.
What’s the best Spam flavor to use?
Teriyaki, jalapeño, or classic Spam all work well. Choose based on your flavor preference.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes, finely diced bell peppers, carrots, or edamame can be added for color and nutrition.
Conclusion
Quick & Easy Spam Rice Balls are the perfect fusion of comfort and convenience—loaded with flavor, simple to prepare, and endlessly customizable. Whether served warm or cold, they bring a satisfying taste of Japanese-inspired cuisine to your snack time or lunch routine. Easy to shape and even easier to enjoy, these rice balls are a reliable go-to for flavorful, fuss-free meals.
PrintQuick & Easy Spam Rice Balls
These savory Japanese-inspired Spam rice balls combine crispy Spam, seasoned seaweed, furikake, mayo, egg, and sticky rice for a delicious fusion snack or light meal. Packed with umami flavor, they’re perfect for bento boxes, on-the-go bites, or a quick lunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 rice balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked sticky rice (short- or medium-grain)
- 1 can Spam, diced (any flavor—teriyaki or jalapeño recommended)
- 2 tablespoons chopped scallions
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie)
- 1 sheet roasted seasoned seaweed, crushed
- 1 tablespoon furikake (bonito & egg flavor preferred)
- 1 medium egg, scrambled (optional)
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or avocado)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin (or sake)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (black or white)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil in a pan over medium heat. Scramble the egg with a pinch of salt until fluffy. Set aside.
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil and sauté diced Spam until golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Stir in soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and sugar. Cook until thickened and glossy, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, sautéed Spam, scrambled egg, scallions, mayo, crushed seaweed, and furikake. Gently mix to incorporate.
- With damp or gloved hands, scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and form into firm balls. Repeat until all mixture is used.
- Arrange rice balls on a serving platter and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately or chill for later snacking.
Notes
- Use plastic gloves or damp hands to prevent rice from sticking while shaping.
- Great for meal prep—store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Customize with your favorite furikake flavor or add chopped pickled vegetables for tang.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rice ball
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg