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What to Serve With Musubi: 15 Best Side Dishes

Enhance your musubi meal with a variety of tasty side dishes that beautifully balance its savory flavors. Consider traditional macaroni salad, offering a creamy and tangy complement, or spicy kimchi for a bold contrast. Fresh pineapple slices and mango chunks add a sweet, tropical flair. Edamame and seaweed salad provide nutritious, umami-rich options. Elevate the experience with black rice or a invigorating avocado salad. Scrambled eggs are a comforting addition, while coleslaw introduces a delightful crunch. These pairings not only enhance the meal but also create a memorable dining experience. Ready to discover even more delightful combinations?

Macaroni Salad

picnic favorite side dish

Macaroni salad is a quintessential Hawaiian side dish. It is often paired with musubi to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Featuring cooked macaroni pasta mixed with mayonnaise, shredded carrots, and sometimes onions, mac salad offers a creamy and tangy complement to musubi's salty and savory taste.

This combination is a popular choice for potlucks, picnics, and family gatherings in Hawaii.

Kimchi

spicy fermented cabbage dish

While macaroni salad offers a creamy and mild contrast to musubi, kimchi brings a bold and spicy dimension to the table.

This traditional Korean side dish, made from fermented Napa cabbage and radishes, adds a tangy and umami-rich flavor that pairs wonderfully with Spam Musubi.

Rich in probiotics, kimchi not only enhances taste but also supports digestion, making it a delightful addition.

Pineapple Slices

sweet tropical fruit snack

Pineapple slices offer an invigorating and juicy side dish that perfectly balances the salty and savory flavors of musubi. The tropical flavor of pineapple complements the Hawaiian origins of musubi, creating a cohesive meal experience.

This revitalizing fruit enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a delightful contrast. Enjoying pineapple slices with musubi can evoke a taste of the Hawaiian islands, transporting you to a tropical paradise.

Mango Chunks

perfect summer fruit snack

Continuing with the theme of tropical fruits, mango chunks offer an invigorating and juicy side dish that pairs well with the savory flavors of musubi. The revitalizing sweetness of mango provides a delightful contrast to the rich and salty flavor of spam.

Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, these colorful chunks can be served chilled, adding both nutrition and vibrant appeal to your meal.

Edamame

steamed soybean appetizer pods

Edamame, young soybeans harvested before ripening, offer a nutritious and flavorful side dish that pairs harmoniously with musubi. Rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, these green soybeans can be boiled or steamed, enhancing their slightly sweet and nutty flavor.

For a delightful twist, sprinkle with a touch of soy sauce, making your meal both healthy and delicious.

Seaweed Salad

seaweed as nutritious meal

Seaweed salad is a quintessential Japanese side dish celebrated for its crunchy texture and rich umami flavor. It is made with seaweed varieties like wakame and kombu, seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.

Paired with musubi, especially Spam musubi, it offers an invigorating contrast. The salad balances the savory taste of Spam with its light and nutritious composition.

Green Salad

healthy leafy greens meal

A green salad, with its vibrant medley of fresh greens and colorful vegetables, offers an invigorating and nutritious complement to the savory flavors of musubi.

Typically featuring lettuce, spinach, or arugula, it can be enhanced with tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers.

Topped with nuts or croutons for added texture, this versatile side dish balances the rich taste of musubi beautifully.

Baked Beans

cooked with bacon bits

Baked beans, with their sweet and tangy sauce, serve as a delightful contrast to the salty flavor of Spam musubi. The hearty beans offer a satisfying texture, while the addition of brown sugar enhances their sweetness.

This classic side dish pairs perfectly with Spam musubi, creating a flavorful and well-rounded meal that is sure to please any palate.

Cauliflower Mash

comfort food with twist

Cauliflower mash is a nutritious and versatile side dish. It serves as a creamy and comforting alternative to traditional mashed potatoes when paired with Spam musubi. Its mild flavor won't overpower the saltiness of Spam, enhancing the overall meal.

Easy to customize with various seasonings, cauliflower mash's creamy texture beautifully complements the musubi, creating a satisfying and well-balanced dining experience.

Crispy Green Beans

crispy green beans recipe

Crispy green beans, roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper, offer a crunchy texture that beautifully complements the salty taste of Spam musubi. Quick and simple to prepare, their vibrant color adds visual appeal to the meal.

Roasting enhances their flavor profile, making them a delightful side dish. This healthy option balances the textures, creating a satisfying culinary experience.

Black Rice

healthy and antioxidant rich grain

Black rice introduces an exotic and visually mesmerizing element to the side dishes that pair well with Spam musubi.

This fragrant and nutty rice variety is packed with antioxidants, making it a nutritious choice.

Its distinct flavor profile and beautiful color contrast enhance the overall dining experience, creating a sophisticated and appealing meal that satisfies both taste and visual senses.

Avocado Salad

healthy colorful creamy delicious

Complementing the exotic allure of black rice, avocado salad introduces a fresh and creamy counterpoint to the salty flavors of musubi.

Featuring ripe avocados tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, this side dish is among the best side dishes for enhancing your meal.

Additional ingredients like tomatoes add texture and flavor, making it versatile and elevating the overall dining experience with its richness.

Scrambled Eggs

recipe for fluffy eggs

Scrambled eggs, with their creamy texture and mild flavor, serve as a comforting and complementary side dish to the bold and salty notes of musubi. They are quick and easy to make, providing a soft contrast to the savory flavors.

Especially when you serve with Spam musubi, scrambled eggs enhance the meal's richness, ensuring a balanced and satisfying dining experience.

What Side Dishes Complement Musubi and Matzo Brei?

Musubi pairs well with macaroni salad, as the creaminess of the salad balances out the savory flavors of the musubi. On the other hand, the best side dishes for matzo brei include smoked salmon, sour cream, and fresh fruit, which complement the dish’s rich and savory taste.

Coleslaw

crunchy cabbage with mayo

Adding an invigorating and crunchy element to the meal, coleslaw offers a tangy contrast to the savory flavors of musubi. Made with a mix of green and red cabbage, this side dish not only adds color but also nutritional value.

A touch of sesame oil in the dressing enhances its flavor, making coleslaw a revitalizing and well-rounded addition to your musubi meal.