Chef John's Loco Moco: A Savory Hawaiian Breakfast

Chef John's Loco Moco is a classic Hawaiian breakfast dish featuring a juicy burger patty topped with a rich mushroom and onion gravy, a sunny-side-up egg, and served over a bed of fluffy rice. This dish combines savory flavors and textures to create a hearty and satisfying meal. The sweet and tangy Lomi Lomi tomato salad on the side adds a refreshing touch to this iconic dish. Make this recipe for a taste of the islands right at home.

Ingredients

• For the Beef Patty:
• - 1 pound ground beef
• - 1/4 cup minced onion
• - 1 clove garlic, minced
• - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• - 1/2 teaspoon salt
• - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• - Vegetable oil, for frying
• For the Mushroom Onion Gravy:
• - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• - 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• - 1 onion, thinly sliced
• - 2 cloves garlic, minced
• - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• - 1/2 teaspoon salt
• - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• - 2 cups beef broth
• For the Lomi Lomi Tomato Salad:
• - 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
• - 1/4 cup diced onion
• - 1/4 cup diced green onion
• - 2 tablespoons diced cucumber
• - 1 tablespoon lime juice
• - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• For Assembly:
• - 4 cups cooked white rice
• - 4 large eggs

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine ground beef, minced onion, minced garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. Divide the beef mixture into four equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty, about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the beef patties in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and nicely browned. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, sliced onion, minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the mushrooms and onions are tender and browned.
5. Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom and onion mixture. Stir well to incorporate the flour.
6. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring continuously. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the gravy thickens.
7. In a separate bowl, combine diced tomatoes, diced onion, diced green onion, diced cucumber, lime juice, soy sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Set aside.
8. To assemble the loco moco, place a mound of cooked rice on each serving plate. Top the rice with a beef patty, followed by a spoonful of the mushroom onion gravy. Place a sunny-side-up egg on top of each patty.
9. Serve the loco moco with a side of the Lomi Lomi tomato salad. Enjoy this delicious Hawaiian breakfast delight!

Interesting Facts