Loco Moco

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Quick Bite

Loco Moco is rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a fried egg. It is simple, saucy, filling, and one of Hawaii’s greatest comfort-food inventions.

History

Loco Moco is usually traced to Hilo on the Big Island in the late 1940s. The common story credits Richard and Nancy Inouye of Lincoln Grill, where hungry local teenagers wanted something inexpensive, filling, and different from a sandwich.

The original idea was practical: a bowl of rice, a hamburger patty, gravy, and an egg. It used familiar diner ingredients but arranged them in a way that felt completely local.

The name is part of the charm. “Loco” was supposedly tied to a teenage nickname, and “moco” was added because it rhymed. That makes it one of the rare iconic dishes with a name that sounds like it was invented by a group of hungry kids — because it probably was.

Loco Moco is now found all over Hawaii, from drive-ins to hotel brunch menus. The basic version is still the best starting point: rice, beef, gravy, egg, fork, happiness.

Fun Facts

• The classic version is served in a bowl or on a plate over white rice.
• Fancy versions may use short ribs, fried rice, mushrooms, or foie gras, but the original is gloriously simple.
• The runny egg yolk is basically part of the sauce.

Where to Try

Cafe 100 Hilo, Hawaii
A Big Island institution that calls itself the home of the Loco Moco and serves many variations.

Rainbow Drive-In Honolulu, Hawaii
A classic plate lunch and drive-in stop with a well-known loco moco.

Loco Moco Drive Inn Honolulu, Hawaii
A casual spot built around local comfort food, including loco moco and plate lunches.

Recipe

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Loco Moco Servings: 4 Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 20 minutes Difficulty: Easy Style: Hawaiian Local Comfort Food

Ingredients

For the loco moco

• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 4 eggs
• Sliced green onions, optional

Instructions

1. Shape the patties: Shape the beef into 4 patties.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the patties: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Cook patties for 3–4 minutes per side, or until done.
5. Remove patties and keep warm.
6. Make the gravy: In the same pan, melt butter.
7. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
8. Slowly whisk in beef broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
9. Simmer until thickened.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning.
11. Cook the eggs: Fry the eggs sunny-side up or over easy.
12. Build each plate: Add a scoop of white rice to each plate or bowl.
13. Top with a beef patty.
14. Spoon brown gravy over the patty and rice.
15. Place a fried egg on top.
16. Garnish with sliced green onions if using.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, keep it plain: white rice, hamburger patty, brown gravy, and egg. No need to fancy it up unless you want to.

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