Mola

2438 18th St NW, Washington
(301) 318-6010

Recent Reviews Order Online Reserve

Customers' Favorites

Green Apple Cucumber Celery Ginger
Beef Steak and Chicken Empanada
Empanadas with House Sauces
Watermelon Mint Lime Juice
Picadillo Beef Empanadas
Chickpea Curry Empanada
Chicken Curry Empanada
Curry Chicken Empanada
Pineapple-Ginger Juice
Ceviche and Yuca Fries

Menu

Featured items
Curry Chicken Empanada
Tender and braised chicken thighs, in-house curry spice with sautéed red bell peppers, wrapped in in-house signature dough. One empanada per order.
Picadillo Beef Empanada
Ground beef with a hint of cinnamon, spices, bell peppers, onions, diced olives, and raisins, wrapped in signature handmade dough. One empanada per order.
Spiced Vegan
Spiced chickpeas, carrots, cilantro, in-house curry sauce with coconut milk, with a hint of honey wrapped in house-made signature vegan dough. One empanada per order.
Yuca Bites
Crispy yuca dusted with salt, served with your choice of ají (sauce).
Patacones
Twice-fried plantains, dusted with salt, served with your choice of ají (sauce).
Saril
Jamaican Hibiscus Tea: ginger, cinnamon, pressed orange juice steeped overnight.

Empanada
Curry Chicken Empanada
Tender and braised chicken thighs, in-house curry spice with sautéed red bell peppers, wrapped in in-house signature dough. One empanada per order.
Picadillo Beef Empanada
Ground beef with a hint of cinnamon, spices, bell peppers, onions, diced olives, and raisins, wrapped in signature handmade dough. One empanada per order.
Spiced Vegan
Spiced chickpeas, carrots, cilantro, in-house curry sauce with coconut milk, with a hint of honey wrapped in house-made signature vegan dough. One empanada per order.
Pepper Steak Empanada
Braised steak, green bell pepper, garlic, ginger, wrapped in masa de maíz. One empanada per order.
Mañana Empanada
Scrambled eggs, onion & cilantro wrapped in masa de maíz. One empanada per order.

Plates
Ceviche de pargo
Red snapper ceviche in ginger-lime marinade with red onion, red bell pepper, avocado and cilantro, served with housemade patacones. Dairy-free.
Ropa Nueva
Braised beef dressed in sauce, with bell peppers & onion, served with coconut rice, and pigeon peas.

Sides
Yuca Bites
Crispy yuca dusted with salt, served with your choice of ají (sauce).
Patacones
Twice-fried plantains, dusted with salt, served with your choice of ají (sauce).
Hojaldra
Panamanian flat bread.
Arroz con coco y guandú
Side rice with coconut milk & pigeon peas.

Ají
Ají Verde (Spicy)
Cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, and spices. In-house sauce.
Ají Rojo (Mild)
Roasted red bell pepper, garlic, and spices. In house sauce.

Drinks
Saril
Jamaican Hibiscus Tea: ginger, cinnamon, pressed orange juice steeped overnight.
Coca Cola
Ginger Ale (Schweppes)

Other Bites
Hojaldra Dulce
"Panamanian donut." Fried bread dusted with cinnamon sugar

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Recent Reviews

I love Mola i had the curry chicken, beef & pepper steak emanadas they refresh, nice and hot and delicious. We had the beef with rice & peas it was so yummy. The the atmosphere is super cute in you must try it.
November 2025
We’ve dined here many times. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday. The empanadas and the ropa nueva dish are delicious. Great authentic food and drinks. Mola also catered my partner’s retirement party, and everything was perfect. Guests loved the food!
November 2025
Been going here for a while and lately the empanadas are deflated and sad. The last time the patacónes weren't even warm and I only got 9 pieces. That's $1 per patacón. I'd like to keep coming here but I need more EMPA and less NADA.
August 2025

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Mola

2438 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(301) 318-6010