Friday, April 5, 2019

Loco Moco – Sounds Much Better in Spanish

This amazing Hawaiian comfort food classic is made by topping rice with a fried burger, which is then smothered with a rich, brown gravy, and finished with a fried egg. Seriously, how did it take until 1949 for someone to think of this combination? And, once they did, why exactly did they name it, “crazy mucus,” which is what this actually translates to.

I’ll let you read all about that here, but disturbing names aside, this really is a cheap, filling bowl of goodness, that can be adapted in all sorts of ways. The beef patty is standard, but spam is also used, as is roast pork, and even seafood.

I like the classic burger best, although as I mentioned in video, I do recommend using a thinner patty, around 4 ounces, which will make this easier to eat, as well as provide a better beef-to-rice-to-gravy ratio. I had a pound of meat and decided to make two portions, but in hindsight I should have saved half for something else.

Of course, you’re having a pretty good week when you’re complaining that your burger was too thick for your loco moco. Anyway, I hope you had a great week as well, and that you give this fast, and very satisfying Hawaiian classic a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for 2 portions:
1 teaspoon unsalted butter for cooking the burger
2 ground beef patties (4 to 6 ounces is ideal)
salt, freshly ground black pepper, cayenne to taste
2 tablespoons minced green onions (white/light parts)
2 cup cooked white rice
2 fried egg
sliced green onions to garnish

For the gravy:
1 1/2 cups high-quality beef broth
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
few drops of sesame oil, optional
2 teaspoons ketchup
2 teaspoons sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch (or a little more if you want a thicker sauce)
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17 comments:

RCable said...

Thank you so much, Chef John! I'm really amazed how quickly and beautifully you got this together. I'm going to go try this out right away!

Kathy R, said...

My husband went searching for a Coconut Cream Pie recipe and was shocked that you had not done one. I have him trained to automatically search your videos when he is looking for a recipe for something. So many of our Go To meals are one of your recipes and we haven't met one we didn't love!

YVRFoodie said...

How fortuitous. I am in Hawaii on vacation and will be visiting Rainbow Drive-in who are famous for their Loco Moco

Unknown said...

Can you recommend some vegetables that tastes good with this to make it a bit more healthy?

Sophia4 said...

Dear John, my Food Wish is your take on Madeleines. I know you don't like baking too much but am interested in your version. Thanks

JoAnne said...

I used to watch all your videos, you're so entertaining. I love your sense of humor. Can you possibly do some Keto recipes, so I can subscribe again?

Sophia4 said...

Just made Loco Moco when half drunk and had to use a packet gravy as I neglected to check we had cornflour. No matter. Even when boozed and faking the gravy this turned out excellently!
Thanks

S/V Blondie-Dog said...

YiKeS! My finicky lady-friend claims 'dat ya' done squandered a nice, juicy beef patty on this here concoction. But don't mind her 'cuz she thinks she knows everything. In any event she suggested that a can of Spam from the One Dollar Store would have worked just as well and would have at least added some Hawaiian authenticity to this dish. But then yet again I be totally purse-whipped and do knows' better than to disagree with her. Thanks anyways! You're still 'da best!

aimeparker said...

Thank you so much, Chef John! I'm really amazed how quickly and beautifully you got this together. I'm going to go try this out right away!I have bought all ingredients from fortinos weekly flyer canada

JBN said...

Do you ever freeze uncooked meats like ground beef, chicken breasts, fish, shrimp, etc.?

The Captain said...

Made this last night and everyone ate every bit of it. Nice! The sauce is outstanding!

Unknown said...

I make a hangover cure version of this with Mashed potatoes instead of rice. and a coffee mushroom gravy to top it all off. defiantly going to give this one a try, I love Moco Loco!!!!

George said...

Thanks C.J. very delicious. ..I have a food wish SWEEDISH MEATBALLS PLEASE

JenandAsh said...

It looks wonderful, thanks so much! I had a quick question about the spray down, could you use something like a brandy instead of water or would that not work?

Unknown said...

My family loved this! Thank you so much.

Unknown said...

My favorite meat with the loco moco is by far fried spam, however I can understand wanting the quick pan sauce from the beef renderings rather than additional gravy or an interesting take on pan spam gravy.

Unknown said...

Just made this and it’s SO delicious. So simple to make. Thank you Chef John!