Cambodian comfort food is quietly slipping into a busy Bethel Road strip, as Red Sen & Asian Street Food prepares to open in Olentangy Plaza on Columbus' northwest side. The new spot is taking over the former Bambu Dessert and Drink space and is teasing a lineup of homestyle noodle bowls, nom pang sandwiches and Vietnamese coffee. Owner Vongdalin Vorn is listed as the proprietor, but for now the team is keeping the actual opening date under wraps.
Where It's Going
According to What Now Columbus, Red Sen is headed for 827 Bethel Road in Olentangy Plaza, tucked between Northwest Wine & Spirits and a UPS Store. The new restaurant is taking over the space that previously housed Bambu Dessert and Drink. The plaza sits on a high-traffic stretch of Bethel, giving the newcomer a front-row seat to steady drive-by and walk-up traffic among a cluster of other eateries.
The Menu And The Pitch
The restaurant’s website, as summarized by What Now Columbus, leans into Cambodian staples, including kuy teav and Phnom Penh-style noodles, plus nom pang sach sandwiches. Drinks will range from teas and fruit beverages to Vietnamese coffee. “Our homestyle cooking brings the true flavors of Cambodia to your table,” the site promises. Judging from that description and the social media teasers, the concept is clearly more casual street-food counter than white-tablecloth destination.
Owner And The Old Shop
Franklin County Auditor vendor records list Vongdalin Vorn at the Bethel Road address, tying her to the new restaurant. Business directories such as MapQuest show Bambu Dessert and Drink at the same location, where the outgoing shop specialized in bubble tea and other sweet drinks. Red Sen will be swapping those sugary sips for savory noodles and sandwiches, but keeping the Asian focus intact.
A Busy Corner For Asian Food
The stretch of Bethel Road around Olentangy Plaza has quietly grown into a compact hub for Asian groceries and restaurants. Kimco Realty lists Dayou International Market among the plaza’s anchors, giving shoppers a built-in source for regional ingredients. Nearby, diners can already find Korean fare at KOSHI Korean and seafood boils at Kai's Crab. Red Sen’s Cambodian-forward menu slots neatly into that lineup and is poised to tap into the existing crowd that already treats this corner as an unofficial Asian food circuit.
When It Could Open
For now, Red Sen is dropping hints and menu previews on Instagram at @redsenasianstreetfood, but has not publicly committed to an opening date. Once the owner or the restaurant shares a soft-opening timeline, this story will be updated.
