Dear AHT,
I'm in Hawaii, and I thought of your Cheeseburger Challenge [This one? —LK] when I saw this local special called the Loco Moco.
Does this count as a cheeseburger?
After traveling a lot this year (all 50 states on a motorcycle, and a visit to a couple countries in Europe), I've had a chance to try a lot of local specialties. I'm definitely always interested in trying local dishes. After seeing the Loco Moco in a couple of places, I decided it wasn't a joke and tried one. I think it's on the edge of burgerdom with one toe over the line. If you loosely define burgers as meat patties with a starch, then this qualifies. But it's definitely not a traditional one.
The Loco Moco was a serious meal, definitely not meant for a snack. I also needed a plate. After hearing Michael Polan say that something like 20% of meals are consumed on the go, this is one that wouldn't do well in a box or in a wrapper. I certainly enjoyed the fried rice bed, gravy, eggs, not to mention the beef patty buried in the rest.
Dear Ryan,
Like I need another reason to visit Hawaii?
Very interesting question! It has cheese, and it has a burger, but I'm not entirely comfortable labeling it a cheeseburger. According to Wikipedia, although the original Loco Moco was made with a beef patty, Loco Mocos (Locos Moco? Loco Mocii?) can feature fish, chicken, or even Spam. And while any of these meats could be shaped into a patty, it is my understanding that they usually aren't when included in the Loco Moco. So then, if the burger isn't essential to the dish, I don't feel compelled to label the dish a burger. It's definitely a close cousin, though.
Your trip sounds amazing. Any other burgers or burger-like meals we should know about?
Thanks for thinking of us. Happy new year yourself!
My room mate in college was from HI, and he introduced me to the Loco Moco. Soooooooo gooooooood. It can also include strips of fried spam. While it does have hamburger patties, I wouldnt consider it a burger. It's a dish, like Salisbury steak.
Having just arrived back from a trip to New Zealand I can tell you that the Kiwis believe anything can be a burger - fish burger, chicken burger, tofu burger, etc. If it can be put in a round bun it is a burger.
I'm not sure I am completely comfortable with this but I am willing to respect cultural differences.
Speaking of Hawaii, the absolute best, /best/ incarnation of a cheeseburger that I have ever had was found in Lahaina on my recent visit. Mala ocean tavern makes a Kobe beef cheeseburger, with your choice of blue or cheddar, carmelized Maui onions, smoked bacon, etc etc etc. If burgers tasted like that all the time, I would definitely be an addict.. *drool*
Hmm. I think you need a bun. Even then, I'm willing to bend a bit and allow toast (à la Louis' Lunch), English muffins—or even pita bread. But I think the key is that a bread product sandwiches the patty and you're able to eat it with your hands. This would not qualify in my book.
Being a local in Hawaii, but definitely not a "Hawaiian", I have to tell you that the best loco mocos are indeed those made with a hamburger patty (rather than chicken, fish, Spam or even kalua pig). Perched atop a mound of rice, topped with an egg that's cooked either sunnyside up or over easy, and smothered with gravy (canned or bottled, no less), the hamburger patty is what ties it all together.
No, I wouldn't consider it a burger, but it sure is satisfying!
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11 Comments:
My room mate in college was from HI, and he introduced me to the Loco Moco. Soooooooo gooooooood. It can also include strips of fried spam. While it does have hamburger patties, I wouldnt consider it a burger. It's a dish, like Salisbury steak.
seyo at 1:46PM on 01/18/08
Having just arrived back from a trip to New Zealand I can tell you that the Kiwis believe anything can be a burger - fish burger, chicken burger, tofu burger, etc. If it can be put in a round bun it is a burger.
I'm not sure I am completely comfortable with this but I am willing to respect cultural differences.
Meghan
meghan at 2:46PM on 01/18/08
Speaking of Hawaii, the absolute best, /best/ incarnation of a cheeseburger that I have ever had was found in Lahaina on my recent visit. Mala ocean tavern makes a Kobe beef cheeseburger, with your choice of blue or cheddar, carmelized Maui onions, smoked bacon, etc etc etc. If burgers tasted like that all the time, I would definitely be an addict.. *drool*
myzkyti at 3:04PM on 01/18/08
That ain't cheese, it's a fried egg. Definitely not a burger, but good eats nonetheless.
launate at 3:09PM on 01/18/08
@launate: I was under the impression there was cheese as well as egg. Maybe not?
Lauren Krueger at 3:13PM on 01/18/08
Correct, there is no cheese on a Loco Moco, at least not on the ones my roomie made.
seyo at 3:15PM on 01/18/08
@seyo: Then it is definitely not a cheeseburger!
Lauren Krueger at 3:16PM on 01/18/08
No, you need a bun.
john44256 at 6:10PM on 01/18/08
Hmm. I think you need a bun. Even then, I'm willing to bend a bit and allow toast (à la Louis' Lunch), English muffins—or even pita bread. But I think the key is that a bread product sandwiches the patty and you're able to eat it with your hands. This would not qualify in my book.
Adam Kuban at 7:28PM on 01/18/08
If it doesn't look like a burger, taste like burger, or smell like a burger....then it's not a burger. No fudging allowed. Mahallo, TB.
texas blues at 11:06PM on 01/18/08
Lauren,
Being a local in Hawaii, but definitely not a "Hawaiian", I have to tell you that the best loco mocos are indeed those made with a hamburger patty (rather than chicken, fish, Spam or even kalua pig). Perched atop a mound of rice, topped with an egg that's cooked either sunnyside up or over easy, and smothered with gravy (canned or bottled, no less), the hamburger patty is what ties it all together.
No, I wouldn't consider it a burger, but it sure is satisfying!
reidhi at 3:07AM on 01/23/08