History of Loco Moco

The loco moco is a comfort food staple in Hawaii. Its origins are objectively agreed upon by everyone and no one has debated about it ever. Just kidding – like black garlic, there are multiple tales of where it came from.

One story suggests that it came about in the 1940s in the Big Island town of Hilo. Local restaurant owner Nancy Inouye wanted to make a menu item that the neighborhood kids could afford. Once she threw the dish together and began writing it on the menu board, she asked her husband what they should call it. His response: “The kids are crazy. Call it loco moco.”

Others say the name came from the first boy who ate it, whose nickname was Loco.

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