Kathiew House, a much-loved Oakland pop-up known for its Cambodian kathiew noodle soup, has put operations on hold after the owner says her 16-year-old son was sexually assaulted during a break-in at their home. She has pulled back from the business to focus fully on her family's healing.
According to KTVU, the owner, Phoeun Pen, said the attack occurred while she was at work as a patient coordinator at a hospital. She told the station she is pausing Kathiew House so she can be with her family. The video report, which aired today, centers on Pen's decision to close temporarily.
Kathiew House’s rise and weekend pop-ups
Kathiew House started as a home-based operation and later ran weekend pop-ups outside A&R Market in East Oakland, according to RichmondSide, which lists the vendor at 3615 Foothill Blvd. The broader surge of kathiew and other Cambodian home cooks moving from underground kitchens into public markets has been documented by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Fundraiser and local backing
Earlier this year, Pen launched a fundraiser, and a GoFundMe campaign created by the owner is still active while Kathiew House is closed. The page lists Pen as the organizer and highlights the strong community support that surrounded the vendor before the attack.
Police response and next steps
KTVU's coverage did not mention any arrests or a public statement from the Oakland Police Department. The report focuses instead on Pen's decision to step away from the pop-up as her family recovers, and it does not provide suspect information or official comment.
For now, Kathiew House is on pause while Pen concentrates on her family and asks for privacy. Fans of the pop-up who are hoping for a comeback can keep an eye on its social media accounts and the fundraiser page for updates on reopening.
