Love Tacos? Try These 5 Delicious Pupusa Places In Las Vegas
Known as El Salvador’s national dish, if you’ve never had a pupusa, we’re here to change your life.
What Are Pupusas?
If you adore tacos then you need to give pupusas a try. Made from masa harina, a corn dough, pupusas are almost like a thick griddle cake filled with delectable cheese, meats, and beans. For many Salvodreans, pupusas offer comfort and a taste of home.
However, each family makes their own pupusas in a special way. After adding the filling to the dough, you usually flattened it out into a disc shape then lightly fry it on a hot griddle.
And we can’t forget the amazing condiments that are served with pupusas, which include curtido and salsa roja.
Curtido is a lightly fermented cabbage slaw that adds the perfect refreshing touch to the dough’s density and filling.
Where Can I Get Pupusas in Las Vegas?
Pupusas Food Truck: 1765 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104
One of my favorite spots to get pupusas is the Pupusas Food Truck located at 1765 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104. It’s a tired-and-true pupuseria, and they only accept cash. So, that’s how you know it’s the real deal. The truck is located in the parking lot of a tire shop, and the pupusas are comforting, delicious and affordable. This truck cooks true Salvadoran pupusas, and each filling option is tender and mouth-watering.
La Pupusa Loka: 1956 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104
This is another great spot for pupusas in Las Vegas. Located in a cozy strip mall La Pupusa Loca offers traditional pupusas, Salvadoran breakfast, burrito mojado, mulitas and more.
Photograph of a pupusa on the griddle. This is a made with fresh corn, cottage cheese, chorizo and on some occasions a plant called loroco food. This is a typical food of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Pupuseria Los Portillos: 2700 E Lake Mead Blvd, North Las Vegas, NV 89030
This is another food truck that offers mouth-watering Salvadoran delectable treats. From pupusas filled with chicken and cheese, chicharrón (pork belly or pork skin) and cheese, loroco (which is like an edible flower) and cheese, and so much more. The options of fillings are endless quite honestly.
Along with Pupusas, the truck also offers enoanadas, tamales, yuca frita (fried cassava), pasteles and enchiladas.
El Carbonero Resaurant and Pupuseria: 3375 S Decatur Blvd #9, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Another hidden gem, the food here offers people a perfect snapchast of Salvadoran cuisine. You can indulge in fried plantains, warm soups, seafood and, of course, pupusas. This is the perfect spot to explore famous Salvadoran dishes and drinks like atol de elote, which is a creamy and sweet corn drink.
Las Pupusas Restaurant: 7450 W Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89129
Affordable, filling and tasty, Las Pupusas Restaurant offers delicious pupusas that are stuffed generously. It’s a great spot to hanker a pupusa craving, and this eatery also offers a wide variety of other Salvadoran food like many of the other pupuserias listed above.
Pupusas are a delicious and filling treat that reminds many of home. It’s often a comfort food that elicits feelings of savory joy when taking a bite from the pillow-like griddle cakes.
5 Tips For Cooking The Best Tamales
5) Filling Flavor Is Everything
The filling is the heart of the tamale. Don’t settle for bland! Pre-cook your meat (chicken, pork, or your vegetarian options like lentils or black beans) and infuse it with bold spices. Fresh herbs like cilantro and oregano add vibrancy. Also, don’t forget the magic of a good broth.
4) The Secret To Perfect Masa
The masa (dough) should be soft yet spreadable. Here’s a secret known among the best tamale makers… Use the “masa float test.” Simply drop a small ball of masa dough into a glass of water. If it floats, you’re golden! If it sinks, add a touch more fat (lard or vegetable shortening) and knead it in until it reaches buoyant perfection.
3) Perfect Those Corn Husks
Once you start working with the corn husks, you’ll realize they need some TLC. As previously mentioned, soak them in warm water for at least 30 minutes, or until they are pliable and won’t tear when folded. When you come across the most stubborn of husks, revive them by simmering them in water on the stove for a few minutes. A happy husk will gift you the happiest of tamales.
2) Wrapping Wizardry
Mastering the art of the tamale fold can take practice, but here’s a helpful starting point. Spread your masa onto the smooth side of a softened husk, leaving room at the top for folding. Fold the sides inwards, then bring the bottom end up to meet the top. The key to perfection in this step? Secure it with a piece of string or a thin strip of husk. You’ll thank us later.
1) Steaming Secrets
Steaming is the gentle art of cooking tamales. As previously mentioned, use a steamer basket placed over a pot of simmering water. The key here is to avoid letting the water level dip below the steamer basket. A clever trick? Place a coin in the bottom of the pot. When the water evaporates enough for the coin to start clinking, it’s time to add more water.
