Loco Moco Recipe

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear to remove excess starch.

Combine rinsed rice, 2.25 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat uncovered.

Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Turn off heat and let rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Make the beef patties

In a bowl combine ground beef, soy sauce, Worcestershire, grated onion, minced garlic, panko, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Mix gently until just combined — avoid overworking so patties stay tender.

Divide mixture into four equal portions and shape each into a round patty about 3/4" thick and slightly wider than your serving bowl (they will shrink). Press a shallow indentation in the center of each patty to help them cook flat.

Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add patties (do not overcrowd; cook in two batches if needed). Cook until deeply browned on the bottom, about 3–4 minutes.

Flip and reduce heat to medium. Cook 3–4 more minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 155–160°F (68–71°C) for medium-well. Transfer patties to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Spam option

If using Spam, slice the 12 oz can into 8–10 slices about 1/4–1/3" thick. In the same skillet over medium heat, fry Spam slices 2–3 minutes per side until browned and crisp at edges. Remove and keep warm.

After removing patties (or Spam) from the skillet, drain excess fat leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add 2 tbs butter and melt over medium heat.

Whisk in 2 tbs flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1–2 minutes until the roux is golden and smells slightly nutty (this cooks out the raw flour taste).

Slowly whisk in 1.5 cups beef broth, scraping any browned bits from the pan (those add flavor). Bring to a simmer; the sauce will thicken as it heats.

Stir in 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp Worcestershire and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Taste and adjust salt if needed (start with 1/4 tsp). If gravy becomes too thick, thin with a splash of water or more broth to reach desired consistency.

Return patties (or Spam) to the pan and spoon gravy over them to re-warm for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Keep warm until plating.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low and add 1 tablespoon butter or oil. Crack eggs into the pan and cook sunny-side up: cook slowly until whites are set but yolks remain runny, 3–4 minutes. For slightly firmer whites, cover the pan for the last minute.

To assemble each serving: divide steamed rice among four bowls (about 1/2 cup cooked rice per bowl if serving 4). Top each mound of rice with one beef patty (or 1–2 slices Spam). Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of gravy over the patty and rice.

Place a sunny-side up egg on top of each patty. Garnish with sliced green onion and serve immediately with optional kimchi or pickles on the side.

When breaking the yolk, let it run into the gravy and rice for the classic loco moco texture and flavor.