During our last beach vacation in Maui, we took a little detour from the usual surf and sand to explore one of the quieter local farmer’s markets just outside Lahaina. There was an older woman selling handmade soaps next to a food stall run by her son.
The scent of grilled beef and caramelized onions drifted over from his tiny tent kitchen, where a line had already formed. Curious and hungry, we waited patiently, and that’s when I had my first plate of loco moco—not from a glossy restaurant menu but from a paper plate served with a warm smile and a wooden fork.
That dish lingered in my memory far longer than the trip. Back home, after a rainy Tuesday of cleaning out the garage and sorting old recipe cards, I felt the urge to recreate that exact comfort—simple steamed rice, juicy beef patty, rich brown gravy, and a soft egg with a yolk that spilled like golden lava over everything.
It’s a dish that doesn’t shout for attention but satisfies in a way only home-cooked meals can. And though I’m thousands of miles away from that food stand in Lahaina, every time I serve this at our table, I swear I hear the waves crashing outside the window.
Short Description
Loco Moco is a classic Hawaiian dish featuring flavorful beef patties served over steamed rice, topped with a runny fried egg and drenched in rich brown gravy—a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Key Ingredients
Beef Patties:
- 450 g ground beef
- 30 ml soy sauce
- 1 egg
- 60 ml breadcrumbs
- 30 g finely chopped green onions
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Rice & Toppings:
- 600 g cooked white rice
- 4 eggs
- 240 ml brown gravy
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowl and spatula
- Nonstick skillet
- Saucepan or skillet for frying eggs
- Serving plates or bowls
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Form and Season Patties
Combine beef, soy sauce, egg, breadcrumbs, green onions, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix evenly, then form into four well-shaped patties.
Step 2: Cook Beef Patties
Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook each patty 3–4 minutes per side until deeply browned and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
Step 3: Fry the Eggs
In another nonstick pan over medium heat, fry 4 eggs sunny-side-up until the whites are just set and yolks remain runny.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
Spoon 150g of hot cooked rice onto each plate or bowl. Top with a beef patty, then place a sunny-side-up egg over it. Generously drizzle 60 ml brown gravy over the assembled dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Hearty Comfort: Rich gravy and juicy patties over fluffy rice create a bold, comforting bite.
Balanced Texture: Soft rice, seared beef, runny egg yolk, and smooth gravy complement each other beautifully.
Simple, Satisfying: Few ingredients, easy prep, and entirely doable in one afternoon.
Cultural Connection: A genuine taste of Hawaiian home cooking that brings stories to the table.
Customizable: Swap gravy styles or use brown rice for a slight health boost.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Dry Patties:
Solution: Don’t overmix. Keep soy sauce and breadcrumbs ratio balanced.
Overcooked Eggs:
Solution: Cook sunny-side-up gently—whites should set while yolk remains runny.
Soggy Rice:
Solution: Use freshly steamed rice, not leftovers, to avoid mushiness under gravy.
Gravy Too Thick or Thin:
Solution: Warm gravy before serving; if too thick, thin with broth, if too thin, whisk in a bit of flour to thicken.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve in shallow bowls to catch all the gravy
Pair with a crisp cucumber salad or steamed greens
Accompany with iced tea, light beer, or coconut water
Serve family-style or plating per person for lunch servings
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage: Cover patties and rice separately, refrigerate for up to 2 days
Reheat: Warm rice and patties in skillet over medium heat, then reassemble before adding gravy and a freshly fried egg
Avoid: Don’t preassemble with egg and gravy ahead, yolk texture suffers
FAQs
1. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, season it with soy sauce and onion for flavor, though texture is lighter.
2. Can I make gravy from scratch?
Definitely—use pan drippings, flour, and broth to create homemade gravy.
3. Is there a vegetarian version?
Try portobello patties or tofu “hamburgers” with vegetarian gravy and a vegan egg substitute.
4. Can leftover loco moco be frozen?
Freeze patties and rice separately. Reheat in skillet and assemble fresh for best texture.
5. How do I adjust spice level?
Add a dash of cayenne or chili flakes to gravy. Serve with sriracha or chili sauce on the side.
Tips & Tricks
Use fresh ground beef with some fat content for juicier patties
Let patties rest a few minutes before plating to retain juices
Warm plates slightly before serving to keep dish hot longer
Make gravy ahead and reheat gently—taste and adjust seasoning
Chop green onions finely into patties to distribute flavor evenly
Recipe Variations
Garlic-Shoyu Twist
Add minced garlic and a splash of sesame oil to patties, and top with garlic butter sauce instead of gravy.
Loco Moco Bowl
Swap rice for cauliflower rice or quinoa for a lighter version; use mushroom gravy.
Teriyaki Loco Moco
Glaze patties with teriyaki sauce, then drizzle extra teriyaki and use pineapple slices for topping.
Breakfast Loco Moco
Serve with breakfast sausage patties, hash browns instead of rice, and a fried egg as usual; use sausage gravy.
Final Thoughts
That quiet, gravy-drenched plate brought back more than flavors, it brought back sunshine, hospitality, and the hum of the island breeze.
Now, when I serve loco moco at our Sunday brunch, it’s more than just lunch, it’s a way to share a little piece of that Hawaiian warmth with those I love. And I think that’s the real magic of food: it carries people and places in every bite.
Loco Moco (Hawaiian Lunch)
Print ThisIngredients
- Beef Patties:
- 450 g ground beef
- 30 ml soy sauce
- 1 egg
- 60 ml breadcrumbs
- 30 g finely chopped green onions
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Rice & Toppings:
- 600 g cooked white rice
- 4 eggs
- 240 ml brown gravy
Instructions
Step 1: Make Patties
Mix beef, soy sauce, egg, breadcrumbs, green onions, salt, and pepper. Shape into 4 patties.
Step 2: Cook Patties
Heat a skillet over medium. Cook patties 3–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
Step 3: Fry Eggs
In another skillet, fry 4 sunny-side-up eggs until whites are set, yolks runny.
Step 4: Assemble
Spoon rice onto plates, top with a patty, egg, and 60 ml gravy. Serve hot.
