Spam is a popular canned pork product made by Hormel, a US company based in Minnesota.
Although Spam did not originate in South Korea, it has a long history with Korean food and culture. After the Korean War (1950-53), the US army widely distributed Spam during its occupation. Although Koreans first cooked with Spam out of necessity, they quickly incorporated it into Korean cuisine and made it their own. (For example, Budae Jjigae or Army Base Stew).
The fatty, salty flavor of porky Spam pairs especially well with Korean food! A little bit adds so much richness, flavor, and depth. It’s frequently cooked in jjigaes (stews), stir fries, and even pan fried with egg wash.