Pupusas have been around for thousands of years—but their rise to popularity, both in El Salvador and globally, is a story of culture, migration, pride, and resilience. So if you’re wondering when pupusas became popular, the answer depends on whether you’re talking about ancient tradition, national identity, or international fame.
This post explores the timeline of pupusa popularity—from ancient Indigenous origins to global food trend—so you’ll understand exactly how this humble stuffed tortilla became one of Latin America’s most iconic comfort foods.
📜 Ancient Origins: 2,000+ Years Ago
Pupusas trace their roots back to the Pipil people, an Indigenous group that lived in what is now western El Salvador.
- Archaeologists found comales and cooking tools in Joya de Cerén (a preserved pre-Columbian village) dating back to 600 AD.
- The word pupusa likely comes from the Pipil-Nahuatl language, meaning “swollen” or “puffed.”
🫓 Conclusion: Pupusas have been eaten for over 2,000 years, but back then, they were a local Indigenous food, not yet widely known or commercialized.
🇸🇻 Mid-20th Century: National Growth in El Salvador
Pupusas remained a home-cooked dish for much of El Salvador’s history, especially in rural areas. But by the 1950s and 60s, things began to shift:
- Urbanization brought pupusas into towns and cities like San Salvador.
- Pupuserías—small stalls or shops selling freshly made pupusas—began appearing in markets and neighborhoods.
- They became a working-class favorite: cheap, filling, and easy to eat by hand.
By the 1970s, pupusas had become mainstream across El Salvador, found in:
- School cafeterias
- Street markets
- Family dinners
📈 Popularity expanded as more families left the countryside and brought their pupusa-making traditions with them.
🌍 1980s–90s: The Diaspora Spreads the Pupusa Worldwide
During El Salvador’s civil war (1980–1992), over a million Salvadorans emigrated, mostly to:
- United States (especially Los Angeles, DC, New York)
- Canada
- Australia
- Spain
These families brought pupusas with them—not just in memory, but as:
- A way to make money (opening pupuserías abroad)
- A way to preserve culture
- A comfort food that reminded them of home
By the late 1990s, pupusas were a culinary symbol of the Salvadoran diaspora.
They became popular in:
- Immigrant communities
- Latin food festivals
- International fusion restaurants
🛫 Key moment: The pupusa became more than Salvadoran—it became globally recognized.
🏛️ 2005: National Dish and Cultural Explosion
In 2005, the Salvadoran government officially declared:
- Pupusas are El Salvador’s national dish
- The second Sunday of November is Día Nacional de la Pupusa
This event skyrocketed pupusas into national pride status.
Now, Salvadorans around the world celebrate Pupusa Day with:
- Giant pupusas (over 3 meters wide!)
- Cultural festivals
- Social media campaigns
- Guinness World Record attempts
🇸🇻 Pupusas became not just popular—they became a symbol of Salvadoran identity.
📲 2010s–Today: Viral, Vegan, and Everywhere
Thanks to:
- Instagram & YouTube foodies
- Vegan versions (with plant-based cheese and beans)
- Ghost kitchens and delivery apps
- TikTok recipe trends
…pupusas are now trending beyond Latin communities.
They appear in:
- Food trucks in Brooklyn
- Pop-ups in Tokyo
- Trader Joe’s frozen aisles
- Fancy brunch menus in LA
Even celebrities and chefs are showcasing them. Pupusas have gone from cultural comfort food to global gourmet spotlight.
Timeline: Pupusa Popularity at a Glance
| Year/Period | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 600–1500 AD | Indigenous Pipil people cook stuffed masa tortillas |
| 1950s–1970s | Pupuserías grow across El Salvador |
| 1980s–1990s | Diaspora spreads pupusas internationally |
| 2005 | Declared national dish of El Salvador |
| 2010s–2020s | Viral and gourmet attention worldwide |
Summary
Pupusas have been cherished for over 2,000 years, but they became truly popular in El Salvador around the mid-20th century, then globally recognized during the mass migration of Salvadorans in the 1980s and 90s. By 2005, they were officially crowned El Salvador’s national dish, and today they’re exploding across the world—beloved for their taste, story, and cultural soul.
