About Us
About The Founder
Shangreiwon Multhou.
Shangreiwon Multhou’s journey began in Manipur, where a childhood fascination with cooking slowly grew into a lifelong calling.
Long before she knew that a career in the culinary world was possible, she spent hours making sweets, experimenting with local ingredients, and recreating recipes with curiosity and determination.
What began as simple moments in the kitchen became the foundation of a dream that was nurtured by the quiet encouragement of her family, especially her father, who proudly shared her creations with others.
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That early passion eventually evolved into a career dedicated to culinary excellence, craftsmanship, and preserving the rich food heritage of Manipur.
After graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management, Guwahati, she built her career with leading hospitality brands including ITC Sheraton, Taj Lands End, Carnival Cruise Lines in the United States, and Air Chef Pvt. Ltd. Her experience across professional kitchens, international hospitality, and large-scale food operations shaped her commitment to quality, innovation, and culinary excellence.
In 2011, she founded the Exotic School of Cooking in Dimapur, Nagaland, with the goal of sharing knowledge and nurturing future culinary talent. The school was later relocated to Imphal and is now known as the Popa Centre for Skill Development. In 2016, she established Popa Restaurant & Bakery in Imphal, creating a space that reflects her commitment to culinary excellence, craftsmanship, and community. Teaching remains one of the most meaningful parts of her journey because she believes that knowledge becomes truly valuable when it is shared.
She is also the curator of SheChef and SangaiChef, two culinary festivals held during the Shirui Festival and Sangai Festival in Manipur. These platforms celebrate local cuisine, indigenous ingredients, culinary craftsmanship, and emerging talent while promoting Manipur’s vibrant food culture on a larger stage.
Through every initiative, Shangreiwon continues to champion culinary excellence, skill development, and the preservation of Manipuri food traditions, creating opportunities for the next generation of chefs, bakers, and food entrepreneurs.
With over a decade of experience in the culinary field, Angir Chiru has been one of the driving forces behind Popa’s journey.
A passionate food enthusiast and an instinctive gastronome, he brings a deep understanding of flavours, customer preferences, and food experiences to everything Popa creates.
Having successfully run a restaurant and food venture in Delhi, Angir developed a strong appreciation for quality, consistency, and innovation in the food industry.
He is always eager to explore new cuisines, discover emerging food trends, and experience restaurants from different places—constantly seeking inspiration that can be translated into better food and better experiences at Popa.
Co-Founder
Angir Chiru
With over a decade of experience in the culinary field, Angir Chiru has been one of the driving forces behind Popa’s journey.
A passionate food enthusiast and an instinctive gastronome, he brings a deep understanding of flavours, customer preferences, and food experiences to everything Popa creates.
Having successfully run a restaurant and food venture in Delhi, Angir developed a strong appreciation for quality, consistency, and innovation in the food industry.
He is always eager to explore new cuisines, discover emerging food trends, and experience restaurants from different places—constantly seeking inspiration that can be translated into better food and better experiences at Popa.
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Within the team, Angir is known as the person everyone turns to when a new menu item is created. Whether it is a cake, dessert, pastry, or a restaurant dish, his feedback is one of the most anticipated parts of the process. His approval is not just about taste—it is about whether a product truly meets Popa’s standards of quality and excellence.
More than a co-founder, Angir is a motivator and a steady source of encouragement. He has a remarkable ability to push ideas forward, inspire confidence during challenging times, and remind the team to keep striving for better. His belief in people, willingness to experiment, and commitment to continuous improvement have helped shape Popa’s culture of creativity, resilience, and excellence.
His passion for food is contagious, and his constant pursuit of better flavours and better experiences continues to inspire the team to raise the bar every day.
Our story
Nestled in the heart of Imphal, Manipur, Popa began in 2016 with a simple dream: to bring together food that feels familiar yet inspiring—rooted in the traditions of our land while welcoming flavours, techniques, and ideas from beyond our borders.
That dream was rooted in a deeper purpose: to celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Manipur and share it with a wider audience. We wanted to showcase the flavours, ingredients, and stories of our land with pride, while offering warm hospitality and memorable food experiences. We also hoped to introduce people from outside Manipur to the depth and diversity of our cuisine.
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What began as a small passion for baking and cooking slowly became something much bigger. The road was not always easy. We faced setbacks, uncertainty, and moments that asked us to begin again. But each challenge taught us something, strengthened us, and pushed us to do better.
Every cake, pastry, and meal we serve carries that journey with it. We strive to do simple things well, stay curious, and never compromise on quality. Consistency, learning, perseverance, and genuine care for people shape everything we do, while integrity, innovation, teamwork, and accountability continue to guide the way we grow.
Over the years, Popa has become part of countless celebrations, family gatherings, festivals, and everyday moments. More than a bakery or a restaurant, we are a place where memories are made, milestones are celebrated, and people feel welcomed.
As we continue to grow, our purpose remains the same: to create food that people trust, nurture talent, inspire young people through passion and hard work, and build a business that contributes positively to our community.
And our story continues…
Our Vision & Mission
Vision
To build a sustainable and respected business that upholds excellence, inspires youth through passion and integrity, and contributes positively to the community and industry.
Mission
To create and serve high-quality food and bakery products with consistency and care, deliver exceptional customer experiences, empower our team through learning and opportunity, and operate with integrity, innovation, and excellence in everything we do.
Our Core Values
Face in the Glory
We live and work in a way that reflects God’s glory, honouring Him through excellence, service, and humility.
Faith
We trust God’s guidance and remain steadfast in purpose, even in times of uncertainty and challenge
Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions, our roles, and our results. When mistakes happen, we learn from them and grow stronger together.
Consistency
We show up with the same commitment to quality, service, and excellence every day.
Excellence
We pursue the highest standards in everything we create, serve, and do.
Integrity
We do what is right, even when no one is watching. From sourcing ingredients to serving customers, honesty and transparency guide every decision we make.
Nurturing
We encourage growth, care for one another, and create opportunities for people to learn and thrive.
Teamwork
Great food and great service are never created alone. We support one another, communicate openly, and work as one team to deliver the best experience for our customers.
Humility
We stay teachable, value others, and put service above pride.
Empathy
We treat customers and team members with understanding and respect. We listen, care, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and welcomed.
Gratitude
We appreciate our customers, our team, our partners, and our community. We celebrate growth, milestones, and the people who make our journey possible.
Love
We serve with genuine care, kindness, and compassion
Ownership
Every team member treats the business as their own. We take initiative, protect our brand’s reputation, and go the extra mile to ensure quality and consistency.
Resilient
We face challenges with courage, adapt to change, and keep moving forward with hope and determination
Yes
We embrace challenges with a positive attitude and utmost willingness to find solutions and make things happen.