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Watch 40 Salvadoran Chefs Break the Record For “World’s Biggest Pupusa” (Video)

11:26 AM PST on November 29, 2021

We’re a website baptized in the name of the Taco, of course.

But L.A. TACO thinks of itself as equal opportunity when it comes to masa, deeming all shapes, sizes, and expressions to be similarly powerful forces for the good of the universe. Tlayudas, arepas, atole, sopes, tlacoyos, totopos, Filipino-influenced TV-star tortillas… we’re really game for breaking news and world-changing developments in any and all of the above fields of study.

Which is why we’re traveling today (virtually, of course) to the Soyapango municipality of San Salvador, El Salvador, to see the world’s largest pupusa being made.

According to Telemundo, over 40 chefs came together to make a pupusa revuelta of previously unseen dimensions, hand-applying 1,535 pounds of masa, quesillo, beans, and chicharrón across a specially made platform the size of Polyphemus’ contact lens. No word on how an on-site excavator was deployed.

After spreading the ring-shaped expanse with ingredients, the pupusa was cooked from below by a sizable, charcoal-fueled fire. The resulting pupusa was recorded at 15-feet across, no doubt salting the game of the good people of Olocuitla, whose 2015 pupusa set the Guinness World Record at 14-feet across, helping solidify the Salvadoran town’s reputation as a pupusa powerhouse.

Despite the new record-breaking pupusa’s prominence, those who had the chance to sample a slice in the crowd gave their approval to its flavor and form, as well. Even if one inevitable YouTube commenter says the thing looks more like a gordita to them, calling into question the entire pupusa-ness of the effort.

With net-bangers screeching their objections from the digital shadows and an inescapable challenge surely to come from Olocuitla, will Soyapango’s record-breaking pupusa rule as the heavyweight champion of comida Salvadoreña for much longer? We promise to keep you updated on the contests in colossal pupusas to come.

In the meantime, enjoy this video clip of the world’s largest reigning pupusa being made and shattering records like so many wedges of yucca frita.

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