Loco moco
Hilo's rice bowl with a beef patty, fried egg and brown onion gravy
Loco moco was first served in 1949 at the Lincoln Grill in Hilo, on Hawai'i's Big Island, as a cheap, filling meal for teenagers, and it is still the plate-lunch classic across the islands: white rice topped with a beef burger patty, a fried egg and a generous ladle of brown gravy. People eat it for breakfast, lunch or late at night with a scoop of macaroni salad. The mistake is a thin, floury gravy; cook the flour in the beef fat until it browns before adding the stock. Chef's tip: press a dimple into the centre of each patty so it stays flat as it cooks.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the patties
For the gravy
To serve
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix 1 ⅓ lb beef mince, ½ onion, 1 tbsp soy sauce, ¾ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper lightly and shape into 4 patties 2 cm thick, pressing a dimple into the centre of each.
Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 4–5 minutes a side, until well browned and cooked through to 160°F, with no pink in the middle. Keep warm.
10 minStep 3: In the same pan cook 1 onion for 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp plain flour and cook for 2 minutes until light brown.
7 minStep 4: Whisk in 2 cups beef stock and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce gradually and simmer for 4–5 minutes until thick and glossy. Season.
5 minStep 5: Fry 4 eggs until the whites are set; cook the yolks firm for young children or pregnant guests.
4 minStep 6: Put 14 oz short-grain or medium-grain rice in bowls, top each with a patty and an egg, pour over the gravy and scatter with 2 spring onions.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 760 kcal
- Protein
- 38 g
- Carbs
- 68 g
- Fat
- 36 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does loco moco take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
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