Hawaiian Loco Moco: Beef, Gravy, Rice & Egg Bowl
A beloved staple from the Hawaiian islands, the Loco Moco combines comforting elements of savory and rich flavors into a delightful one-dish meal. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it originated in the 1940s as an affordable and satisfying meal for the masses. It offers a delightful mix of textures with a modern-day twist by using premium ingredients.
Equipment
- Large skillet (12-inch / 30cm)
- Medium non-stick frying pan (for eggs)
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Instant-read thermometer
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked jasmine rice about 2 cups / 370g dry rice, cooked according to package directions, preferably warm
- 1.1 lb ground beef 500g, 80% lean for juicy flavour
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 tbsp soy sauce preferably low sodium
- 1 medium egg beaten, for the meat mixture
- 4 medium eggs fried sunny side up, for topping
- 2 tbsp neutral oil vegetable or canola, for cooking
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper to taste
Gravy Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter 28g
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 16g
- 2 cups beef broth 480ml, low sodium
- 2 tbsp ketchup 30g
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 15ml
Instructions
- Prepare the meat patties: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, soy sauce, beaten egg, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix gently until just incorporated — overmixing makes the patties tough. Divide into four equal portions and shape into patties about 1 inch (2.5cm) thick, pressing a shallow dimple in the centre of each to prevent puffing during cooking.1.1 lb ground beef, 1 medium onion, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 medium egg, 1 pinch salt
- Heat 2 tablespoons of neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers and a small piece of meat sizzles on contact, sear the patties for 3-4 minutes per side until well browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove and rest on a plate while you make the gravy.2 tbsp neutral oil
- Make the gravy: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet with the pan drippings, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the roux turns a light golden colour. Gradually whisk in the beef broth in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Stir in the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.2 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 pinch salt
- In a medium non-stick frying pan, fry four eggs sunny side up to your liking. The yolks should be runny to complement the dish.4 medium eggs
- Assemble the Loco Moco: Divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Top each with a beef patty, then pour over the warm gravy. Gently place a fried egg on top of each and serve immediately.4 cups cooked jasmine rice
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate patties and gravy together in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The patties absorb gravy overnight, which improves flavour. Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low, adding a splash of beef broth if the gravy has thickened.
Freezer: Cooked patties and gravy freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Rice freezes separately for up to 1 month.
Make-Ahead: Shape raw patties up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate, covered. Cook directly from cold — no change to cook time needed.
Substitutions: Ground turkey or ground pork work as lighter alternatives. Use gluten-free flour and tamari in place of regular flour and soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
Pro Tip: Let the roux cook a full 2 minutes before adding broth — this eliminates the raw flour taste and gives the gravy a deeper, nuttier flavour.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 759kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 36gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 308mgSodium: 806mgPotassium: 837mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 514IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 86mgIron: 4mg
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