You search for a “mole and chicken menu” and you might land in two very different worlds: the rich, complex universe of Mexican mole sauces, or a restaurant counter in Taupo or Long Crendon. One is a centuries-old culinary tradition, the other a modern dining experience.

4 related posts

Mole and Chicken Taupo entree+main deal: From $21.90 (Bookme) ·
Hole Mole signature item: Karma Sauce ·
Chicken mole recipe source: BBC Good Food ·
Mole and Chicken locations: 2 (Taupo, Long Crendon) ·
Cajun chicken wings price (Long Crendon): £7.50

Quick snapshot

1Chicken Mole Dish
2Hole Mole Restaurant (Long Beach)
3Mole and Chicken Taupo
4Mole and Chicken Long Crendon
Origin of mole Mexico (Britannica (encyclopedia))
Hole Mole location Long Beach, California (Yelp (customer reviews))
Mole and Chicken Taupo price From $21.90 (deal) (Bookme (booking platform))
Calories in chicken mole Approximately 500 per serving (Dora’s Table (recipe blog))
Spiciness level Varies by recipe and restaurant (Food Network (cooking authority))

The range here is key: the same phrase describes a slow-cooked sauce from Puebla and a fast-casual plate in California. This guide untangles both.

What is served with chicken mole?

Traditional accompaniments: rice, tortillas, beans

Variations: with vegetables or meat

Role of mole sauce in the meal

Mole is not a side sauce; it’s the centerpiece, often described as a “dark, sweet and spicy South American stew” (BBC Good Food (established recipe authority)). The sauce coats the protein and soaks into the rice, making every bite rich.

The trade-off

Authentic mole requires hours of preparation. For home cooks, the shortcut is a jarred paste, but you lose the layered depth that comes from toasting each chili and spice individually.

The implication: if you’re ordering chicken mole at a restaurant, expect a full plate of rice, beans, and tortillas, not just a piece of chicken with sauce. The dish is meant to be a complete meal.

How is mole traditionally served?

Serving temperature and presentation

Common side dishes

Occasions for mole

  • Mole is a celebratory dish, often served at weddings, birthdays, and holidays (National Geographic (travel authority)).
  • In Puebla, mole poblano is a point of regional pride (Saveur (culinary magazine)).

The pattern: mole is not everyday food; it’s a labor-intensive dish reserved for special gatherings. That’s why the cost (both in time and ingredients) is higher than a typical weeknight meal.

What’s the most popular item on the Hole Mole menu?

Karma Sauce: Hole Mole’s signature

  • Hole Mole is known for its Karma Sauce, a creamy, spicy dressing that customers rave about (Yelp (customer reviews)).
  • The sauce is used on tacos, burritos, and nachos (Hole Mole (official site)).

Other popular items: tacos, burritos

  • The menu leans toward California-style Mexican fusion: fish tacos, carne asada burritos, and loaded fries (Yelp (customer reviews)).
  • Portions are generous, and prices are moderate (mains around $8–$12) (Yelp (customer reviews)).

Customer reviews and ratings

  • Hole Mole holds a 4.5-star rating on Yelp (hundreds of reviews) (Yelp (customer reviews)).
  • Regulars praise the quick service and the Karma Sauce above all (Yelp (customer reviews)).
Why this matters

For a visitor to Long Beach, the Karma Sauce is the reason to go. It’s a unique condiment you can’t get at a national chain, and it turns a simple taco into a destination experience.

The catch: while Hole Mole is beloved locally, it’s a tiny operation. If you’re planning a trip, check the hours — they’re not always open late.

Is hole mole spicy?

Spiciness level of Hole Mole dishes

  • Hole Mole offers mild to spicy options (Yelp (customer reviews)).
  • Karma Sauce has a medium heat — enough to notice, not enough to burn (Yelp (customer reviews)).

Customer experiences

  • Most reviews mention the spice level as “just right” or “mild” (Yelp (customer reviews)).
  • Some customers order extra jalapeños or hot sauce for more kick (Yelp (customer reviews)).

How to customize spice

  • You can request extra spice when ordering (Yelp (customer reviews)).
  • The staff is accommodating — just ask for a side of their house-made hot sauce (Yelp (customer reviews)).

The trade-off: if you’re sensitive to heat, stick with the Karma Sauce as-is. But if you’re a chili head, you’ll want to request the extra spicy version. The baseline is approachable for most.

What is on the Mole and Chicken Taupo menu?

Entree options: Ciabatta, Chicken Liver Pate, Tacos

  • Starters include ciabatta with dips, chicken liver pate, and tacos (Mole and Chicken Taupo (Facebook page)).
  • Prices for entrees range from $12 to $18 NZD (Bookme (booking platform)).

Main courses: Beef, Chicken

  • Main options include beef dishes, chicken dishes, and nightly specials (Mole and Chicken Taupo (Facebook page)).
  • Many mains are served with seasonal vegetables and potatoes (Mole and Chicken Taupo (Facebook page)).

Pricing and deals

  • The entree + main deal is available from $21.90 NZD through Bookme (Bookme (booking platform)).
  • À la carte mains are around $25–$35 NZD (Mole and Chicken Taupo (Facebook page)).

What this means: for under $25 NZD, you get a two-course meal at a popular Taupo spot. That’s a strong value compared to similar restaurants in the area.

Comparison: Traditional Mole vs. Restaurant Interpretations

Five items, one pattern: the traditional mole dish is a slow-cooked sauce, while the restaurant versions are fast-casual or bistro-style meals that borrow the name but simplify the execution.

Feature Traditional Chicken Mole Hole Mole (Long Beach) Mole and Chicken (Taupo)
Signature item Mole poblano sauce over chicken (Britannica) Karma Sauce tacos (Yelp) Entree + main deal (Bookme)
Price range 80–160 pesos/kg (ready-made) (Wikipedia) $8–$12 USD per item (Yelp) $21.90 NZD (deal) (Bookme)
Spiciness Medium to high, varies by recipe (Food Network) Mild to medium, customizable (Yelp) Not spicy (modern bistro) (Facebook)
Preparation time 2–4 hours from scratch (Cocina Corazon) 10–15 minutes (fast food) 30–45 minutes (sit-down)
Cultural context Festive, celebratory (National Geographic) Casual fast-casual (Yelp) Bistro / pub dining (Facebook)

The implication: if you’re looking for authentic mole, your best bet is a Mexican restaurant or homemade preparation. The restaurant brands named “Mole and Chicken” offer a completely different experience — more akin to a modern bistro than a traditional Mexican kitchen.

What we know for sure

Confirmed facts

  • Chicken mole is a traditional Mexican dish (Britannica)
  • Hole Mole is a restaurant in Long Beach, CA, known for its Karma Sauce (Yelp)
  • Mole and Chicken has locations in Taupo, NZ and Long Crendon, UK (Facebook)
  • BBC Good Food has a chicken mole recipe
  • Mole poblano contains chocolate, chili, and spices (Britannica)

What’s unclear

  • Exact calorie count of a typical restaurant serving (varies widely)
  • Spiciness perception is subjective
  • Exact popularity ranking of Hole Mole menu items
  • The precise origin story of mole poblano is disputed (Alimentarium)

Quotes from the experts

“dark, sweet and spicy South American stew”

— BBC Good Food (established recipe authority)

“Mole is a dish shaped by Indigenous Mexico, Europe, and even the Middle East”

— National Geographic (travel authority)

The weight of these perspectives: mole is a multicultural creation, not a single “authentic” recipe. That’s why the “mole and chicken menu” can mean so many different things — from a pre-Hispanic stew to a modern bistro plate.

Related reading: Baked With Love Taupo: Menu, Hours & Reviews · Taste of Home Wellington: Menu, Reviews & Delivery

Additional sources

tenochtitlan.omeka.net

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Frequently asked questions

What is mole sauce made of?

Mole sauce typically contains chili peppers, chocolate, spices (cinnamon, cumin, cloves), nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. The exact ingredients vary by region and recipe. (Britannica)

Is chicken mole healthy?

It depends on the recipe. A vegan mole poblano recipe lists 394 calories per serving, with 40g carbs and 9g protein (Dora’s Table). Restaurant versions with chicken and rice can be higher. It’s not a diet food, but it’s not junk food either.

How do you pronounce ‘mole’?

It’s pronounced “MO-lay” (two syllables), not “mohl”. The word comes from the Nahuatl word mōlli, meaning sauce. (National Geographic)

Can I freeze chicken mole?

Yes, mole freezes well. Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. The sauce often tastes even better after reheating as the flavors meld. (Cocina Corazon)

What is the difference between red and green mole?

Red mole (mole poblano) uses dried red chilies and chocolate. Green mole uses fresh green chilies, tomatillos, and herbs like cilantro and epazote. They are from different regions of Mexico. (Wikipedia)

Does Hole Mole deliver?

Hole Mole in Long Beach offers takeout and delivery through third-party services like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Check their website or app for current availability. (Hole Mole official site)

What are the operating hours of Mole and Chicken Taupo?

Mole and Chicken Taupo is open for dinner from 6pm to 8:45pm, Wednesday through Sunday. They also offer lunch on weekends. Check their Facebook page for updates. (Facebook page)

For a diner in Taupo looking for a two-course deal, the choice is clear: grab the Bookme voucher and enjoy a bistro meal with local ingredients. For a home cook craving authentic mole, the effort of making it from scratch with real chocolate and chilies is worth every minute. The two worlds don’t overlap — but both are delicious in their own right.