Chili Pocho Moco

Chili Pocho Moco is a delightful culinary mashup that takes the comforting essence of Hawaii's loco moco and gives it a spicy, mainland twist. Traditionally, loco moco consists of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy. This version, however, swaps out the gravy for a hearty no-bean chili, adding a robust kick to the dish.

The "Pocho" in its name hints at its hybrid nature—'pocho' being a playful term used in Hawaii for someone not fully fluent in Hawaiian. The dish was reportedly concocted by a homesick Hawaiian expat looking to bring a taste of the islands to a chili cook-off in Texas. Combining the classic loco moco elements with the fiery spirit of Texan chili, Chili Pocho Moco was born—a perfect comfort food for those looking to enjoy the best of both worlds. It's now enjoyed by adventurous eaters seeking a fusion of Hawaiian warmth and Texan boldness in their meals.

4 cups of no-bean chili (homemade or canned)

4 hamburger patties

4 eggs

4 cups of cooked white rice

1 large onion, sliced and caramelized

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: shredded cheese, green onions for garnish

Prepare the Chili: Heat the chili in a saucepan until it simmers. If you’re making it from scratch, cook until the meat is tender and flavors are well combined.

Cook the Hamburger Patties: Season the patties with salt and pepper. Grill or pan-fry the patties over medium-high heat until they are cooked to your liking (about 4-5 minutes per side for medium).

Fry the Eggs: In a separate pan, fry the eggs sunny-side up or over-easy, depending on your preference.

Assemble the Pocho Moco: Place a cup of cooked rice on each plate. Top each with a hamburger patty, a generous ladle of hot chili, a fried egg, and caramelized onions.

Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle shredded cheese and chopped green onions over the top. Serve hot.

Tips

* If you are a chili with beans person, go right ahead and use it. This is your Pocho Moco, so use any chili recipe you like. Make this dish your own!

* In my opinion, if you have a very meaty chili, then you could probably skip the burger patties.