Kencur is Kaempferia galanga. In English-language sources, the names sand ginger and cekur can point to it, but common ginger and greater galangal are different species. NParks also describes both the rhizome and the leaves as culinary parts, so the part named in a recipe matters.
What are the English names for kencur?
The scientific name is the clearest match when a packet or recipe gives one. Similar English names do not make these three plants interchangeable.
| Name used in a label or recipe | Scientific name |
|---|---|
| kencur / cekur / sand ginger | Kaempferia galanga |
| common ginger | Zingiber officinale |
| greater galangal | Alpinia galanga |
Which part of kencur is used in cooking?
NParks gives these as examples rather than a fixed recipe. A rhizome, a leaf and a dried powder should not be treated as the same form just because a market uses the word kencur.
| Part | NParks example | Preparation described |
|---|---|---|
| Rhizome (underground stem) | Balinese dishes | Pounded before use |
| Leaves | Malaysian salads | Finely chopped |