What is Hawaiian Loco Moco?
Although Hawaiian Loco Moco is far from the healthiest recipes on this blog, it is definitely worth the treat (and carbs!) once in awhile.
The components of the Loco Moco include:
- Rice – this is the base of the dish
- Ground Beef Burger – this sits atop the rice
- Brown Gravy – this thick sauce is poured over the burger
- Fried Egg – this tops the gravy
- Toppings – it is typically then sprinkled with items like freshly cracked black pepper and green onions
Is the Loco Moco Hawaiian or Japanese?
As you might have guessed from the title, the Loco Moco is a Hawaiian dish. Although with rice as a base and topped with a fried egg and green onions, you can see how it has Japanese influences.
Where and when did the this recipe originate?
The first reported appearance of the Loco Moco was in 1949. It is said to have originated at a Hawaiian restaurant called the Lincoln Grill in the town of Hilo which is a beautiful town on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
What does Loco Moco mean?
“Loco” refers to crazy (like in Spanish) and “Moco” refers to burger. So basically, it means “Crazy Burger”. Although personally, we would name it “crazy good burger”! Note that this is the traditional name for the recipe (not to be confused with loko moko, lockomoko, or moco loco).
Why is Loco Moco so good?
It has all the components of deliciousness. You have the smokiness of the ground beef patty, the Maillard Effect caramelizing the mushrooms and onions, the umami from the soy sauce-based brown gravy and the dash of Worcestershire sauce in the burger, and the runniness from the yolk of a perfectly cooked egg. All in all a recipe for success!!
Best time to eat Loco Moco
Loco Moco is classically eaten for brunch. However, there are no rules when it comes to Loco Moco. So feel free to eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! It’s the ultimate Hawaiian comfort food!
When we have leftovers, we store the rice and burgers in one container in the fridge and the gravy in another container. Then when it comes to bring it out again, we just fry up new fried eggs (since fried eggs are best eaten fresh.
Where to get Loco Moco
We recommend either making this recipe yourself or trying it in person in Hawaii. Unfortunately Lincoln Grill (the original restaurant that created the Loco Moco) in Hilo, Maui doesn’t exist anymore but it evolved into Cafe 100.
You can also check out this review on the best places to get Loco Moco in Hawaii.
On the mainland, you can find it at any L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.
Other delicious Hawaiian Recipes
If you liked this loco moco recipe and you’re looking for other traditional Hawaiian recipes, look no further! Check our our other GradFood Hawaiian recipes here:
How to make Hawaiian Loco Moco
What is Loco Moco gravy made from?
Different restaurants have different variations of the Loco Moco gravy. Many places just serve the gravy itself but we’ve found that adding sauteed onions and mushrooms adds an extra interesting kick to the Loco Moco gravy.
Tips for making the Loco Moco Burger
We might be biased but we think that this is the best loco moco recipe but feel free to experiment for yourself and let us know your favorite way to make it in the comments below!
The key to making this Hawaiian Loco Moco recipe is to be time-efficient. There are several components to cook and if you time it right, you can do many of them simultaneously.
You can start by using one burner to make the rice (or a rice cooker if you have one).
You can simultaneously slice up the mushrooms and onions and start sautéing them (also the green onions but reserve these for later. While these are cooking, you can quickly combine the ingredients for the burgers while your cast iron skillet warms up to medium heat.
Then you can start cooking the burgers as you set the mushrooms/onions aside as you start to make gravy in that pan.
At this point, your burgers and gravy will be ready and all you have to do now is fry up some eggs and then put everything today, topping with some sliced green onions for an extra crunch.
Easy peasy and now you have a delicious traditional Hawaiian meal to enjoy!
Traditional Hawaiian Loco Moco
Ingredients
Burgers
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp panko bread crumbs
Gravy
- 1 sweet onion sliced
- 8 oz crimini mushrooms sliced
- 1.5 cups beef stock
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- ½ tbsp oyster sauce
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Other
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 4 eggs
- 1 bunch green onions sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the burgers until well-combined and form 4 patties. Place in freezer for a few minutes.
- Saute the onions and mushrooms in a pan on medium heat with olive oil. Set aside once golden, about 5-8 minutes.
- Using a cast iron grill pan (or barbecue), grill the burgers until no red is visible. Set aside
- Prepare the gravy by heating up the beef stock, ketchup, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and red pepper flakes in a pan on medium heat and let reduce for about 3 minutes. Combine 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir until it forms a thick slurry. Pour into the gravy and stir until combined. Now add the cooked mushrooms and onions to the gravy and heat for another minute.
- Fry all four eggs, keeping the yolks runny.
- Construct the loco moco by placing rice in a circle on a plate, followed by the patty, then the gravy, then an egg, and finally, top with some sliced green onions and black pepper. Serve warm.
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