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-   -   Taking beef jerky and SPAM home to Japan (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/taking-beef-jerky-and-spam-home-to-japan-967453/)

offlady Feb 19th, 2013 09:01 AM

Taking beef jerky and SPAM home to Japan
 
I am sending our exchange students home to Japan in two days. They are taking need jerky from Costco, and cans of SPAM. Will they get confiscated at customs?

DonTopaz Feb 19th, 2013 09:10 AM

> Will they get confiscated at customs?

The exchange students or the beef jerky?

doug_stallings Feb 19th, 2013 09:26 AM

You should see what Japanese customs allows. Most canned goods are not a problem, and I've seen Japanese tourists bring home copious numbers of macarons, so I suspect that a lot of stuff is allowed. However, cured meats are always something you should verify.

hawaiiantraveler Feb 19th, 2013 11:33 AM

No beef jerky unless properly marked. They can buy the beef jerky and spam for a little more at costco in Japan.

http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/product/import.html

rhkkmk Feb 19th, 2013 02:01 PM

don you made me laugh..

send something american... spam---yuck!!!

hawaiiantraveler Feb 19th, 2013 03:02 PM

You can send those cans of spam to me...yum yum yum!!!

fried spam and eggs, spam onigiri, spam sandwiches, spam omelets, spam fried rice or just sliced straight from the can. The best slice is the end slice on both sides....really thin....in HI its called "the sliver"

Aloha!

DonTopaz Feb 19th, 2013 04:28 PM

> in HI it's called "the sliver"

In MA, it's called "gahbage"

Jaya Feb 19th, 2013 05:19 PM

Beef jerky and SPAM? Why?

hawaiiantraveler Feb 19th, 2013 07:03 PM

I wonder if there is a Costco in Kanazawa?

hawaiiantraveler Feb 19th, 2013 07:15 PM

Offlady, I hope they can make it through. Have them claim ignorance if hassled

Maui no ka 'oi!!!

KimJapan Feb 19th, 2013 07:22 PM

No Costco in Kanazawa. Tons of spam though. Every store sells it in many "flavors."

mrwunrfl Feb 19th, 2013 08:31 PM

Peter, is this your favorite restaurant?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

DonTopaz Feb 20th, 2013 05:06 AM

OMG, today's Boston Globe actually has a recipe for Spam musubi, a sort of Span sushi wrapped in nori (seaweed) and flavored with teriyaki: tinyurl.com/a3jakfe

As if that weren't enough, there's also a Hawaiian (or maybe Chinese) favorite, Spam Fried Rice: tinyurl.com/aqmblan

What is this world coming to? What's next? A Republican president?

kmkrnn Feb 20th, 2013 05:43 AM

Geee.....I must have. Not had my coffee yet when I read that section of the Globe! Can' t wait for all those delicacies in Japan.

kmkrnn Feb 20th, 2013 05:44 AM

MrW.....loved the video. I had forgotten about that one.

hawaiiantraveler Feb 20th, 2013 06:13 AM

Bill, Great, LMAO!

Karen, In Japan musubi are called onigiri and I haven't found a spam one yet but from what I hear it may not be too long. Onigiri are on sale in every train station and combi(7-11)throughout Japan just as the spam musubi is on sale at every 7-11 or ABC store in HI in the mornings. The problem I think would be the price of spam in Japan. I have seen them for ¥800 or more a can whereas we can get them on sale in HI for $1.79 per can. Thus must be genesis of the enthusiasm of those Japanese coeds going back home from Maui.
FYI, here in HI there are many different musubi sold in the mornings for breakfast......teriyaki chicken, hot dog, shrimp tempura, etc....but mostly spam. I think I'll have one this morning ;)

Aloha!

Kathie Feb 20th, 2013 06:46 AM

Who knew that people in Boston were so into spam?

lcuy Feb 20th, 2013 08:56 AM

In Hawaii, you are not allowed to have children until you can master the art of Spam musubi. It is the perfect field trip/soccer game/ Scout camping trip snack. Of course you can cheat and go to 7-11, but the other mothers will know... ;-)

Like many things in life, Spam is an acquired taste. Once you acquire it however, it becomes the ultimate comfort food.

Good idea HT. I think I'll buy one this morning as well!

rhkkmk Feb 20th, 2013 09:37 AM

what ever happened to oatmeal?

lcuy Feb 21st, 2013 01:04 PM

Oatmeal doesn't fit quite so nicely in a pocket or lunch bag.

rhkkmk Feb 22nd, 2013 04:22 PM

get a zip lock

lcuy Feb 24th, 2013 12:20 PM

Bob, I just realized that instead of Chocolate-covered Mac nuts, I'm going to have to bring Spam musubi to the next GTG.

I'll bring the instructions for making them too, as you are going to want Karen to make them for you all the time.

rhkkmk Feb 24th, 2013 02:11 PM

i'll try anything but as back-up bring thr nuts too

BillT Feb 25th, 2013 03:49 AM

Bob- don't knock Spam- we are a big hit when we bring it to the Philippines! Its prized more than New England lobster!

Hanuman Feb 25th, 2013 03:59 AM

Bill I will swap you spam with New England lobster when you next visit Bangkok.

kmkrnn Feb 25th, 2013 06:03 AM

I think I will take the lobster also.

rhkkmk Feb 25th, 2013 01:10 PM

does olive eat spam?

offlady Mar 2nd, 2013 10:07 PM

My boys arrived safely back home in Japan with their beef jerky omiyage for their dad. It was not confiscated this time.
By the way, I have seen SPAM musubi sold at Odaiba and Kamakura, along with cans of Aloha Maid to wash it down.

maydincanada Jan 6th, 2014 06:33 AM

I would like to know the answer to this as well.

kuranosuke Jan 6th, 2014 08:46 AM

i've taken both with no problem.

bill, where is this spam restaurant? i'll try to squeeze it into my next iti. lol.

btw, i love spam musubi, but in japan, i'd rather have a iwashi nigiri.

hawaiiantraveler Jan 7th, 2014 08:27 AM

ken, long time no see lol

sardines :(

Aloha!

kuranosuke Jan 7th, 2014 10:19 PM

aloha bruddah, maybe spock you in kahala later this month.


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