A swirl of star anise and charred onion rises through the air at Tibet Pho, a new restaurant in the Bearsville Center offering a vibrant fusion of Tibetan and Vietnamese flavors in a cozy, inviting setting. Opened on April 11 by longtime friends and restaurateurs Phurbu Tsering, Phurbu Choesang, and Jampa Lekshey, this spot follows the trio’s first successful venture, Pho Tibet, which launched in New Paltz in 2020.
“We all met working in Vietnamese restaurants in New York City,” said Tsering, who immigrated to the United States from India in 2013. “The Woodstock community is very welcoming.”
Inside the bright, intimate space, banquettes rest beneath art depicting Thangtong Gyalpo, the great 14th century Tibetan iron bridge builder, and servers greet customers with warmth, creating an atmosphere of quiet celebration. At lunch, plates of Tibetan momos—delicate dumplings twisted into tight spirals, filled with beef, chicken, or vegetables—arrive alongside a spicy tomato chutney subtly infused with cumin. Bowls of pho, featuring a rich 10-hour bone broth fragrant with ginger and onion, brim with brisket or tofu, fresh herbs, and a hint of chili oil. Each spoonful feels simultaneously comforting and novel.
“Vietnamese food is fresh and light,” said chef and co-owner Phurbu Choesang, who was born in Tibet and spent much of his life in India before moving to the United States in 2018. “We want to make it accessible to everyone.”
Many Tibetans, including the owners, were born or raised in India following the Tibetan diaspora that fled their homeland after the Chinese occupation in 1959, when thousands—including the Dalai Lama—sought refuge in India. Still today, many Tibetans, especially those with ties to the Dalai Lama, often encounter hurdles if trying to return to Tibet. Woodstock is home to a vibrant Buddhist community, largely due to the presence of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD), a prominent Tibetan Buddhist monastery on Meads Mountain Road.
The area’s profound commitment to Tibetan Buddhist traditions and culture resonates deeply with customers like longtime Woodstock resident Susan Pasternack, a psychotherapist, self-proclaimed Buddhist-Jew, and 51-year local. “I spend an hour and a half every day in Buddhist prayer,” she said. Decades ago someone on the Village Green asked her if she wanted to attend a meditation class at KTD. She went, and Buddhism changed her life. “Eating here feels like a quiet revolution, a sign of community and acceptance.”
Dr. Robert Thurman, professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist studies at Columbia University and president of Tibet House U.S., echoed this sentiment. “It’s great to see them thriving as immigrants in the U.S.,” he said. “They are sharing culture and bringing people together.” Thurman and his long-time life partner Nena run Menla, a retreat center in Phoenicia associated with Tibet House.
Amid the steam rising from simmering pho pots, a surprise standout on the menu is the butter tea—briny, creamy, and reminiscent of comforting broth. Other highlights include the popular double-fried chicken banh mi sandwich, refreshing mango bubble tea, and the robust Beef Shabtak, each dish carefully crafted and vividly flavorful. For Tsering, Choesang, and Lekshey, these culinary creations symbolize their personal journeys, bridging worlds one steaming bowl at a time.
Tibet Pho is open daily except Monday, with prices ranging from $8 to $18. Yet for many locals, the true offering here is the sense of warmth and inclusion served alongside each meal. Outside, a group of geshes, revered Tibetan Buddhist monks, conversed casually, catching up. Geshe Kunkhen, in a candid moment, expressed concern about the suffering in the world. Yet, in the same breath, he highlighted the promise he sees in meditation, loving-kindness, equanimity, and equal rights. “We can all find ways to move away from selfishness, and ego-thought to help bring people up,” he said.
Noah Eckstein is the editor-in-chief of The Overlook. Send correspondence to noah@theoverlooknews.com.