The Ultimate Hawaiian Loco Moco is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring juicy beef patties, fluffy white rice, rich brown gravy, and perfectly cooked eggs. This comfort food classic brings together savory and creamy elements for a satisfying meal inspired by Hawaiian cuisine.
Total Time:50 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Ingredients
For the Rice:
2 cups white medium grain rice
2 cups water
For the Brown Gravy:
2 cups beef stock
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon shoyu (soy sauce)
1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste
1 tablespoon heavy cream
For the Burger Patties:
2 pounds ground beef
1 egg
¼ cup onion, diced
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Eggs:
6 large eggs
Cooking oil of choice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cook the Rice: Rinse the rice under cool water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Add the rice and water to a rice cooker and cook according to the rice cooker's instructions until the rice is fully done and fluffy.
Make the Gravy: In a pot, whisk together the beef stock, cornstarch, onion powder, shoyu, and beef bouillon paste until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream to add richness and a smooth texture.
Prepare the Burger Patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, diced onion, panko breadcrumbs, ketchup, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Mix all ingredients thoroughly, then form the mixture into evenly sized burger patties. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties until browned on both sides and cooked through, flipping once during cooking.
Cook the Eggs: Heat your preferred cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the whites are set and the edges begin to crisp and brown. Flip each egg carefully to cook over-easy and cook the yolks to your desired doneness.
Assemble the Loco Moco: On each plate, place a scoop of cooked rice as the base. Top the rice with a hot burger patty, pour generous amounts of the warm brown gravy over the patty, and finish by placing a cooked egg on top. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
Use medium grain rice for the best texture that complements the hearty components.
Shoyu is a Japanese-style soy sauce adding a unique umami flavor, but regular soy sauce can substitute if unavailable.
The heavy cream in the gravy can be replaced with coconut milk for a dairy-free variation.
When forming patties, avoid overmixing to keep them tender and juicy.
For a healthier version, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives.
Eggs can be cooked sunny side up for a runnier yolk or fully cooked to preference.
Leftover rice can be kept warm in the rice cooker until assembly to streamline serving.
