Pupusas—El Salvador’s most iconic culinary treasure—have conquered taste buds around the world. But while their flavor is unforgettable, their spelling is surprisingly forgettable. As this beloved dish spreads across cultures and continents, so do creative (and often hilarious) misspellings.
From online menus to social media hashtags, misspelled versions of “pupusas” are everywhere. In this lighthearted yet informative post, we’ll reveal the top 10 most common misspellings, explain why they happen, and offer some tips for getting it right—because honoring the name is part of honoring the culture.
🧠 Why Do People Misspell “Pupusas”?
There are a few main reasons:
- Non-Spanish speakers may be unfamiliar with Spanish phonetics
- Auto-correct often changes unfamiliar words
- The word sounds simple, but repetition of syllables trips people up
- Some people just don’t know what it is (yet!)
Let’s dive into the most common (and sometimes bizarre) variations.
🔟 10 Most Common Misspellings of Pupusas
1. Papusas
This is by far the most common misspelling.
Why? English speakers often substitute “u” with “a” based on how it sounds phonetically.
❌ “Papusas con queso”
✅ “Pupusas con queso”
2. Pupusa’s
Grammar mistake alert!
The apostrophe implies possession (as in “the pupusa’s flavor”), but it’s misused when people try to make the word plural.
❌ “I love pupusa’s”
✅ “I love pupusas”
3. Poopusas
Oh no. 😬
Auto-correct + fast typing = disaster. It’s funny, but… no.
❌ “Try our poopusas today!”
✅ “Try our pupusas today!”
4. Pupusaz
This one shows up a lot on social media. People add a “z” to sound cool or urban.
While it’s popular in hashtags, it’s still not correct.
❌ #pupusaz
✅ #pupusas
5. Poo poosas
Double trouble! People try to phonetically mimic the sound and end up doubling vowels and spaces.
❌ “Poo poosas are fire”
✅ “Pupusas are fire”
6. Poo-poo-sas
The comedy version. Seen in memes, jokes, or by people trying to sound it out.
Funny? Yes. Correct? Nope.
❌ “Making homemade poo-poo-sas!”
✅ “Making homemade pupusas!”
7. Puppusas
Extra “p” alert! Likely a result of finger stumbles or kids typing it out.
❌ “Where to buy puppusas near me”
✅ “Where to buy pupusas near me”
8. Pupassas
The “s” gets confused for a “ss”, making it look almost Italian or completely invented.
❌ “Cheese pupassas special!”
✅ “Cheese pupusas special!”
9. Poupusas
This version comes from mixing French or English vowel instincts—“ou” for “u.”
❌ “Best poupusas in Chicago”
✅ “Best pupusas in Chicago”
10. Pupesus / Pupusis / Paposos
These are the completely unhinged, anything-goes spellings that surface in Google search data or viral food posts.
They range from typos to total imagination.
❌ “How to make paposos at home?”
✅ “How to make pupusas at home?”
💬 Why Spelling Matters
Misnaming a dish may seem harmless, but getting it right shows cultural respect. Pupusas are more than food—they’re part of Salvadoran identity. Calling them “papusas” or “poopusas” may be unintentional, but it’s important to:
- Spell them correctly in menus, signage, and food apps
- Search for them properly to find real Salvadoran businesses
- Help others learn the name the way it was meant to be
✍️ How to Remember the Correct Spelling
- It’s “pupusas” — pu + pu + sas
- Think: Two “pu’s” and a “sas”
- No double “p,” no apostrophes, no poop references 😂
🧠 Pro Tip: How to Correct Misspelled Tags or Posts Politely
If you see someone post about “papusas” or “pupusa’s,” you can reply with:
“Looks delicious! Just a heads-up—it’s spelled ‘pupusas.’ It’s El Salvador’s national dish 😊🇸🇻”
Positive correction helps spread awareness and builds cultural connection.
