National Pupusa Day

The National Pupusa Day, celebrated in El Salvador on the second Sunday of November each year, honours the beloved national dish — the pupusa — a stuffed corn or rice tortilla that has deep cultural roots.

History of National Pupusa Day

In 2005, the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly formally declared the pupusa as the national dish and established the second Sunday of November as the official day of celebration. The pupusa itself traces back to Pre-Columbian times among the Pipil and other indigenous peoples, evolving over centuries into the stuffed tortilla widely enjoyed today.

Why is National Pupusa Day important?

This day matters because it highlights how food serves as a link to heritage, identity and community. The pupusa is not just a dish—it’s a cultural symbol for Salvadorans at home and abroad. It also supports small businesses, tourism and the preservation of traditional cooking methods—helping maintain culinary traditions as part of a living culture.

• It celebrates a dish deeply embedded in Salvadoran history and identity.
• It encourages people to gather around food and community, bridging generations.
• It supports local vendors and the culinary economy.
• It promotes awareness of indigenous food traditions that pre-date modern nation states.
• It invites those outside El Salvador to learn about and enjoy Salvadoran cuisine.

How to Celebrate National Pupusa Day

Since this is a joyful food-and-culture occasion, it’s fitting to celebrate the day—by trying pupusas, sharing them with friends or exploring the history behind the dish. Wherever you are, you can participate in the fun of flavour and tradition. For example, visit a Salvadoran restaurant, host a pupusa-making session, or pair the dish with conversations about culture and heritage.

• Make pupusas at home: prepare the dough, pick your fillings (cheese, beans, pork, vegetables) and cook them.
• Visit a Salvadoran restaurant or food truck and try a traditional pupusa with curtido and tomato-sauce.
• Organize a pupusa-themed meal with friends or family, comparing different filling styles or regional variations.
• Share the celebration on social media with photos of your pupusa plate or your cooking process, using the hashtag #NationalPupusaDay.
• Learn about the pupusa’s history—its indigenous origins, migration, and how it became a national dish—and share a fact or story with someone.

National Pupusa Day Dates Table