Photo credit: @bowfeed (Instagram)
2 Spam and egg
Spam was created in 1937 by an American company called Hormel Corporation, created as a cheaper and fuss-free alternative to traditional meat sources. Its influence spread to Asia when canned meats became a staple for American soldiers, and a core part of the relief efforts by the US government after the destruction of war. Particularly in countries like the Philippines, Japan, and Korea, Spam became an important shared memory amongst a generation that grew up post-war, when food shortages forced people to turn to Spam as a protein source to feed their families.
In Hong Kong during the 1950s, cha chaan tengs began churning out creations that combined Western and Chinese ingredients, and the iconic Spam and egg duo was born. You can enjoy it in a sandwich, or on top of noodles, rice, or macaroni. Its versatility is unparalleled—you can have it for breakfast, lunch, tea, or dinner, whenever it strikes your fancy.