Khouw Tjoen (died in 1831), styled Khouw Tjoen Ko, was a prominent, late eighteenth-century Chinese-Indonesian ship owner and businessman, best-known now as the founder of the Khouw family of Tamboen, one of the most prominent dynasties of the 'Tjabang Atas' or Chinese gentry of colonial Indonesia.
[1] The brothers settled down in Tegal, Central Java, where they engaged and prospered in business, including in shipowning and pawnbroking.
[1][3] After a time, Khouw Tjoen relocated to Batavia (present-day Jakarta), capital of the Indies, where he established himself and his family.
[5] His eldest son, Khouw Tian Sek, succeeded him as head of the family, and was awarded the prestigious honorary title of Luitenant-titulair der Chinezen.
[2] While his eldest son's title was honorary, and thus came with no administrative responsibility, it marked the elevation of his family to the ranks of the Tjabang Atas.