dapur

Dapur is the Indonesian and Malay word for kitchen, referring to the room or area where foods are prepared and cooked. It is a common term in everyday language and appears in phrases such as dapur umum (community kitchen) or dapur rumah (home kitchen).

The term derives from Malay and Indonesian vocabulary, with cognates across related languages in the region. It denotes the space dedicated to food preparation and is distinct from other rooms such as living rooms or storerooms.

Layout and equipment typically found in a dapur include a cooking area with a stove (kompor), a worktop, a sink (wastafel), and storage cabinets, plus a refrigerator. Ventilation is provided by a range hood or exhaust fan. In rural settings, cooking may occur on a wood-fired stove or in a separate building, while modern homes often feature an open-plan dapur connected to the dining area.

Cultural aspects of the dapur reflect its role in daily life. The kitchen is central to family routines around meal preparation and sharing. Regional cuisines influence the layout, equipment, and practices observed in the dapur, and in some communities a dapur may also function as a communal space used by multiple households or institutions.