Musubi Cafe Iyasume turned the humble spam musubi into a cult item, and the Pacific Monarch flagship on Kuhio is where most visitors get their first taste. Each rice block is hand-pressed to order with premium Koshihikari rice, then topped with teriyaki spam, bacon and egg, eel, avocado, or one of more than a dozen rotating combinations wrapped tightly in nori. The shop also turns out warm onigiri, miso soup, and bento boxes that travel well to the beach two blocks south. Glass cases at the counter make ordering easy even when the line stretches outside, and most musubi clock in under five dollars. Mornings draw surfers and hotel guests looking for portable breakfast, while lunch is dominated by Japanese tourists, families and beachgoers stockpiling food before heading to Kuhio Beach.
"The musubi is not pre-made, they make it when you order it and it is warm and tasty. Perfect if you want a quick easy dinner."