Popoca serves progressive Salvadoran food. Our mission is to find and preserve techniques from the past to bring you a new and authentic experience in Oakland. Popoca means “emits smoke” to the native people of El Salvador, who stoked wood fires to prepare food over a comal for their families. Revered as more than just a means of cooking, smoke represents a prayer or offering to the spirits. Inspired by traditional Salvadoran wood-fire cooking and recipes, Popoca offers dishes — like pupusas and tamales that use the freshest ingredients and fresh-milled masa — delivering an experience that helps you envision the beauty of El Salvador from the Bay Area.