Loco Moco (Hawaiian Lunch)

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting Hawaii, chances are you’ve heard of—or devoured—a plate of Loco Moco. This local favorite has all the comfort food vibes wrapped into one delicious stack: fluffy white rice, a juicy hamburger patty, savory brown gravy, and a perfectly fried egg. Simple ingredients, but when they come together? Pure magic.

Now, I’ll admit—Loco Moco wasn’t something I grew up eating. But the first time I tried it on a trip to Maui, I was hooked. We’d just come back from an early morning beach walk, hungry and sun-kissed, and I wandered into a small cafe that had it on the menu. One bite, and I knew I needed to recreate this back home. Since then, it’s become a staple in our house whenever we’re craving something cozy, satisfying, and fast to throw together.

This recipe is everything I loved about that first Loco Moco experience: juicy patties with flavor, a rich and silky gravy, and that runny egg tying it all together. Plus, it’s ready in under 40 minutes and uses pantry staples—making it a winner any day of the week.

Let’s dive in!

this recipe

BUILDING THE BASE OF LOCO MOCO

To make the ultimate Loco Moco, we’re layering flavor at every step. The patty is where it all begins, so we’re starting there. It’s seasoned, juicy, and just a little bit savory with a blend of pantry staples you probably already have on hand.

STEP 1: PREP THE HAMBURGER PATTIES

Ingredients for the patties:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 egg

• ¼ cup breadcrumbs

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Start by adding all of your patty ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a fork to gently combine everything—being careful not to overmix. Overworking the meat can lead to dense patties, and we want these to stay juicy and tender.

Once combined, shape the mixture into 2 to 4 even patties, depending on how big you want them. I usually go with 3 medium ones because it’s the perfect portion size for my family. If you’re feeding little ones, smaller patties work great too.

Set the patties aside while you heat your skillet.

STEP 2: COOK THE PATTIES

Grab a large skillet and set it over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add a bit of oil if needed, then carefully lay in the patties. You should hear a sizzle—that’s a good sign!

Cook each patty for about 4–5 minutes per side. You’re looking for a nice sear on the outside and a fully cooked center. Once done, transfer the patties to a plate and tent them with foil to keep warm.

Here’s a quick tip: If you’ve got the time, let the patties rest for a couple of minutes. This helps lock in all those flavorful juices.

STEP 3: MAKE THE GRAVY

Now it’s time for the rich, savory gravy that ties everything together. You can make it right in the same skillet, which means less mess and more flavor (thank you, fond).

Ingredients for the gravy:

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• ½ tsp onion powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Start by melting the butter over medium heat. Once it’s fully melted and bubbling, whisk in the flour to form a roux. Cook this for about 1 minute, whisking constantly. You’ll want it to stay pale—just long enough to cook out the raw flour taste.

Next, slowly pour in the beef broth, whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Add in the soy sauce, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy has thickened to your liking.

If it’s looking too thick, just add a splash of extra broth or water. Too thin? Let it simmer a little longer. The beauty of gravy is that you can really make it your own.

Now that we’ve got our savory hamburger patties and rich brown gravy ready to go, it’s time to move into the finishing touches—because this dish isn’t truly Loco Moco without that perfectly cooked fried egg on top and a warm bed of white rice underneath.

One of the things I love most about this recipe is how customizable it is. Whether you want to keep it classic or make a few flavorful tweaks, it’s the kind of dish that feels comforting and familiar, yet leaves just enough room to get creative. So let’s keep building!

ASSEMBLING THE LOCO MOCO & TIPS FOR SUCCESS

You’ve got all the core components ready, and now it’s just about layering them in a way that makes every bite perfect—creamy, savory, and just a little bit indulgent.

STEP 4: COOK THE EGGS

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs (or more, if serving 3-4 people)

• 1 tbsp oil or butter for frying

Instructions:

In a separate non-stick pan, heat a little oil or butter over medium heat. Once the oil is hot but not smoking, gently crack in your eggs. For the most traditional take, go with sunny-side-up—this way, the yolk stays runny and adds a rich, saucy finish to your Loco Moco once it breaks open.

If you’re more of an over-easy or over-medium kind of person, that works too! It’s all about preference here. I usually do a mix when cooking for the family—some of us like that gooey yolk, while others prefer a slightly firmer center.

Cook the eggs until the whites are fully set and the yolk is at your desired doneness. Then remove from heat and get ready to build your plate.

STEP 5: ASSEMBLE YOUR PLATE

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked white rice (short-grain or medium-grain is best)

Instructions:

Scoop about a cup of warm, freshly cooked white rice onto each plate or bowl. I love using short-grain rice for this recipe because it has that slightly sticky texture that holds everything together beautifully.

Next, place one of your hamburger patties on top of the rice. Generously spoon the hot brown gravy over the patty and let it run slightly over the sides—it should coat the rice a bit too.

Finally, crown the dish with a fried egg. The moment that yolk breaks into the gravy? Pure comfort food bliss.

If you want to dress it up a bit, you can sprinkle some chopped green onions over the top or even a few sesame seeds for a bit of texture. And for those who love heat, a dash of hot sauce or a spoonful of chili oil adds a delicious kick.

TIPS FOR THE BEST LOCO MOCO EXPERIENCE

1. Use a flavorful broth for your gravy:
A high-quality beef broth or stock makes a noticeable difference here. If you’ve got homemade broth, this is the time to use it. Otherwise, look for low-sodium options and season to taste.

2. Don’t overwork the beef mixture:
Mix just until everything is combined—overmixing will make the patties dense and tough. A gentle touch is key for tender patties.

3. Customize your protein:
Traditionally, it’s a beef patty—but you can absolutely switch it up. Ground turkey, a beef/pork blend, or even a plant-based patty can work if you’re looking for an alternative.

4. Make it a full meal:
Loco Moco is super satisfying on its own, but if you want to round it out, try serving it with a side of mac salad or sautéed greens for a more traditional Hawaiian plate lunch vibe.

5. Double the gravy:
This one’s personal—but if you’re a gravy lover like me, make a little extra. It reheats beautifully and makes the leftovers just as good as the first serving.