tumpang

Tumpang is a term used in Indonesia that can refer to more than one thing, including a geographic district and a traditional snack. In geography, Tumpang denotes a district (kecamatan) in Malang Regency, East Java. The district is part of the broader Malang area and comprises several villages, with the town of Tumpang serving as its administrative center. The region is characterized by rural landscapes and agricultural activity typical of East Java.

In culinary traditions, kue tumpang is a traditional East Javanese snack. It is a layered cake made from rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and sometimes flavorings or natural dyes, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until firm. The result is a soft, chewy cake with a mildly sweet taste and a distinctive layered appearance. Kue tumpang is commonly sold in markets and enjoyed as a snack or dessert, with regional variations in texture and sweetness.

The term tumpang illustrates how a single word can have distinct uses in Indonesian language and culture, spanning geography and cuisine. It is sometimes confused with tumpeng, a separate ceremonial cone-shaped rice dish used in Indonesian celebrations, highlighting the importance of context in understanding Indonesian place names and culinary terms.