Get a taste of traditional Hawaiian food and learn how to Make Hawaiian Loco Moco Recipe!
This comfort dish is made with love starting with a bed of sticky rice topped with a hamburger, topped with gravy and a runny egg.
If you like this recipe, you will love Spam Loco Moco!

WHAT IS LOCO MOCO?
Loco Moco is a traditional Hawaiian dish. There are several variations such as Spam Loco Moco, but the original consists of white rice topped with a hamburger, brown gravy and a fried egg.
Loco Moco can be paired with various toppings such as shrimp, sausage, bacon, tofu, teriyaki beef and chicken and other meats.
THE HISTORY OF LOCO MOCO
Created in the 1940's, this local dish was said to have started from diners who requested a dish they could afford. Either at Cafe 100 or the Lincoln Grill in Hilo, Hawaii, is where the first dish was created and prepared.
To learn more about Loco Moco and its history, click here!

WHAT DOES LOCO MOCO TASTE LIKE?
The thick juicy beef burger patty is the star of this show. In a lot of traditional dishes, steak and gravy is served so expect flavors similar to that if you have had that combination.
There are some additional flavors added to this recipe such as soy sauce and browning seasoning sauce to really make the dish quite rich.
The addition of the runny egg sets this dish a part and allows for a massive flavor train of hearty beefy goodness.

WHAT RICE PAIRS BEST WITH THIS DISH?
Traditionally, sticky white rice is prepared with this dish. In this recipe, short grain rice is used and prepared in a method where the water cooks out, forming a sticky consistency. The rice is then the perfect consistency to hold with the rich onion, mushroom and beef gravy.
If you have short or medium grain rice, that will work best but any rice of your choice is fine too!
INGREDIENTS FOR RECIPE
As mentioned, this recipe rings true to traditional style foods. With that said, you will need simple, staple household ingredients. Here is what you will need:

For the Burger Patty
- Ground Beef
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Egg
- Liquid Smoke
- Breadcrumbs
- Oil
INGREDIENTS FOR LOCO MOCO GRAVY
Ultimately, the gravy could undoubtedly be the star of this recipe. Nothing tops a homemade from scratch recipe such as traditional brown gravy. Perhaps this recipe needs its own blog post.
If you are substituting anything in this recipe, do not omit preparing the gravy as listed in this post. Here is what you will need:

- Garlic
- Onion
- Mushrooms
- Flour
- Salted Butter
- Water
- Soy Sauce
- Beef Bouillon
- Browning Seasoning Sauce
- Salt
- Pepper

Additional Ingredients
- Short Grain Rice
- Sunny Side Up Eggs
- Rice Seasoning/Furikake
- Green Onions

HOW TO MAKE LOCO MOCO BURGER PATTIES
First, prepare the burger patties as this will be the most time-consuming portion of the recipe. It is important to note, you should also begin preparing rice as a first step so the ingredients will be ready simultaneously.
In a large mixing bowl, add burger patty ingredients beginning with ground beef and ending with breadcrumbs. Then, mix thoroughly until ingredients are combined. Now, separate ground beef into four even sections.
Carefully roll burger mixture into balls and set aside. Meanwhile, in a large skillet (preferably a cast iron skillet), add oil and turn the heat to medium/high.

How to Cook Burger Patties
At this instant, add the burger balls to the pan and lightly smash burgers into patties. It is important to note, the heat should be fairly high, and the burgers should sizzle and release smoke.
Allow the patties to cook for five minutes on one side being careful not to disturb the patties. Flip patties and sear an additional four minutes being careful not to disturb the patties.
Finally, remove the patties from the heat (will not be cooked through) and set aside until further use.
HOW TO MAKE LOCO MOCO VIDEO
HOW TO MAKE LOCO MOCO GRAVY
As mentioned, the gravy is top tier and possibly the star of this recipe. It is rich in beef flavor and pairs well with the sticky rice, beef patty and sunny side up egg.
In the same skillet used to cook hamburger patties, add garlic, onion, mushrooms and sauté. If needed, add a small amount of oil (one tsp) so the veggies will not stick to the pan.
Next, sauté vegetable and garlic mixture until soft and translucent. Next, carefully sprinkle in the flour and whisk for about one minute. It is important to note that it is helpful to actually time this portion of the recipe!

How to Prepare the Roux for Loco Moco Gravy
Now, add butter and continue to whisk, stirring constantly for about two minutes or until flour cooks out. Then, slowly pour in water and whisk simultaneously.
Quickly pour in soy sauce, bouillon and browning seasoning sauce. Continue to whisk and allow gravy to reduce and thicken. (About five minutes) Adjust flavor to your taste adding salt and pepper if needed.
Now, add par cooked burger patties back into the gravy, cover and let simmer on low for ten to fifteen minutes until burger patties are cooked through to your desired temperature.

HOW TO PLATE THIS DISH
Finally, we are close to enjoying delicious Hawaiian Loco Moco. Here is the best way to plate the dish as seen in this blog post.
Using a small or ramekin sized bowl, add the cooked sticky rice to the bowl. This will help to mold the rice into a circular shape for best presentation purposes. Certainly, you don't have to do this but give it a try if you have the time!
Quickly poor the warm gravy over the rice and add the beef patty on top. Lastly, top the Loco Moco with the sunny side up egg and garnish with chopped green onions.

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE!
Hawaiian Loco Moco can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner! While this dish is not necessarily "healthy", it rings true to traditional comfort foods that most still enjoy periodically.
My Great Aunt Thelma lived in Honolulu, Hawaii for over twenty years and this recipe reminds me so much of her. As I have shared in other blog posts, food connects me mostly with memories and I am so happy to share this recipe in honor of her!
If you like this recipe, you will love Spam Loco Moco!

How To Make Hawaiian Loco Moco Recipe
Ingredients
Burger Patty
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 small Egg
- ½ teaspoon Liquid Smoke
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Oil
Loco Moco Gravy
- 1 tablespoon Garlic
- ½ cup Onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup Mushrooms
- 2 tablespoon Flour
- 2 tablespoon Butter salted
- 1 cup Water plus ½ cup if needed
- 2 tsp Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Beef Bouillon
- 2 teaspoon Browning Seasoning Sauce
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Green Onion
- 1.5 cups Rice short grain or jasmine
- 2-4 Sunny Side Up Eggs
Instructions
Burger Patty
- In a large mixing bowl, add burger patty ingredients beginning with ground beef and ending with breadcrumbs.
- Mix thoroughly until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Separate ground beef into four even sections.
- Carefully roll burger mixture into balls.
- In a large skillet (preferably a cast iron skillet), add oil and turn heat to medium/high heat.
- Add burger balls to the pan and lightly smash burgers into patties.
- Let patties cook for five minutes on one side being careful not to disturb the patties.
- Flip patties and sear an additional four minutes being careful not to disturb the patties.
- Remove patties from heat (will not be cooked through) and set aside until gravy is complete.
Loco Moco Gravy
- In the same skillet used to cook hamburger patties, add garlic, onion and mushrooms and sauté. If needed, add a small amount of oil (one tsp) if needed.
- Sauté vegetable and garlic mixture until soft and translucent.
- Sprinkle in flour and whisk for about one minute.
- Add butter and continue to whisk, stirring constantly for about two minutes or until flour cooks out.
- Slowly pour in water and whisk simultaneously.
- Pour in soy sauce, bouillon and browning seasoning sauce.
- Continue to whisk and allow gravy to reduce and thicken. (about five minutes)
- Adjust flavor to your taste adding salt and pepper if needed.
- Add par cooked burger patties back into the gravy, cover and let simmer on low for ten to fifteen minutes until burger patties are cooked through to your liking.
- Serve over white rice and top with a runny/sunny side up egg.
- Enjoy!
Wilma Mathis says
Oh my!! What an interesting concept with this recipe!! I can almost smell this combination. My mouth has started to water. I love the easy step by step parts of this post. On my next grocer stop, I will make sure to get these ingredients!!
Carita says
Come back and let me know how you like it. I think you will LOVE it! 🙂
Deborah Braswell says
Seasoned to Taste! I’m having trouble getting back in the kitchen these days. These different recipes are inspiring. Thank you for sharing with us! Good For You!!
Carita says
So happy to hear this. Thanks for stopping by!:)
shirley carey says
This looks sooo delicious. Your presentation is always beautiful. I’m getting these ingredients today and going out of my comfort zone and trying it tonight. Thanks for sharing.
Carita says
Thanks for checking out the recipe. Let me know how it turns out if you try it! 🙂
Loretta Gordon says
Loco Moco ! Awesome dish!❤️Thanks for the recipe!
Carita says
Thank you so much, thanks for checking out the recipe!
Tamara Epps says
😍😍 so, I’ve been following for a while and thought I would cook this for my brothers as they both love a burger with a runny egg. They definitely approve and you have got to try this!!!! Soooooooooooo good!
Carita says
Yay! So happy to hear this. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Andretta says
This looks so delicious, can't wait to try it.
Thank you for sharing this recipe and other, love what you are doing.
Keep on cooking!
Carita says
Thank you and thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Brandon Jones says
Wow. Definitely a show stopped. Quick n convenient. Easy because I already had the ingredients. Will make this again
Carita says
So happy you tried the recipe! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Tina Ross says
I can't wait to try the hamburger Loco Moco. Looks yummy 😋
Bernie says
Carita I’m determined to try everyones’ version of Loco Moco on the internet. Your recipe with liquid smoke gave the burger a taste of an outdoor grill which makes this recipe one to come back to over and over again.
Carita says
So happy to hear that! Over the years, I just haven't had access to a grill yet and adding the liquid smoke definitely takes it up a notch! Thx for trying the recipe. 🙂
Barb says
I love this recipe! The only thing I didn’t have was liquid smoke however there was so much flavour in the meat and gravy I didn’t miss it. Highly recommend!
Carita says
Thanks so much for the feedback. The liquid smoke is certainly optional and adds a bbq-style flavor. So glad you enjoyed. 🙂