This study aims to explore the students’ mathematical understanding in integer division operation through the context of archipelago traditional cakes in class VII. This research is related to the Indonesian Realistic Mathematics Approach (PMRI) as a learning approach used. The methodology used in this study is Design Research consisting of three stages: preliminary design, experimental design, and retrospective analysis. The study was conducted on VII grade students of Palembang 1 Junior High School. The learning path (Hypothetical Learning Trajectory) in design research plays an important role as a research design and instrument. The Hypothetical Learning Trajectory (HLT) was developed together with a series of activities using the context of archipelago traditional cakes such as: omelette roll, bakpia, milk pie, etc. The medium used in this study was the Students’ Activity Sheet. The results of this study indicate that exploration using the context of traditional archipelago cakes can help students understanding in multiplication and division of integers. The conclusion of this study is the use of archipelago traditional cakes as starting point in mathematics learning in integer division operation material helps the students to explore their understanding in solving mathematics problems.