The loco moco is an iconic dish from Hawaii, and you can find it in restaurants throughout the islands. Although you likely grew up enjoying the dish frequently, you may be wondering how it came to be. Use the guide below to learn more about this tasty island staple.

What to Know About the Loco Moco

What It Is

This dish is comfort food, and it’s enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A loco moco consists of white rice topped with a beef patty and fried egg and smothered in rich gravy. The result is a filling and delicious meal that balances salty and peppery flavors perfectly.

Some people like to break the yolk and blend it with the gravy; others prefer to put the egg to the side and let the yolk flavor the rice. You can also season the dish with hot sauce, ketchup, or shoyu. Restaurant chefs have started creating variations of the dish that swap the patty for chicken, Portuguese sausage, shrimp, oyster, or kalua pork.

The History

The popular belief is that loco moco originated at the Lincoln Grill Restaurant in Hilo in 1949. Teens from the Lincoln Wreckers Athletic Club requested owners Richard and Nancy Inouye to make a fast, affordable meal to fill them up. The initial iterations of this dish included only a hamburger patty, white rice, and gravy.

The first teen who requested the meal was nicknamed Crazy by his friends. The group of kids dubbed the unique dish loco like his name and added moco because it rhymed. The fried egg was added later, and the dish grew in popularity until it became an island classic.

If you're craving a loco moco, stop by Tasty Crust Restaurant in Wailuku, HI. This diner has served delicious local and American cuisine since 1942. View their menu on Yelp, and call (808) 244-0845 to ask about their rotating weekly specials.