Flavor Boulevard

We Asians like to talk food.
Subscribe

Fast pho at Le Cheval

September 17, 2009 By: Mai Truong Category: California - The Bay Area, noodle soup, Vietnamese

There is this McDonald’s pretty much right across the street from the old Physics building where I went to college. It made good business. College kids, tight pockets, tight schedule, empty stomach, of course. But good old days are no more. The Big M is nonexistent here, although all the above conditions still hold. The Physics building is inconveniently located in the middle of campus, which is at least 15 minutes strolling to the nearest food in any direction (on-campus diners don’t count). The shortest voyage if you’re facing south leads to the corner Durant-Bowditch. A yellow sign gently says “Le Cheval – Saigon Cuisine, Est. 1986”, with green vines, sunshine patio, and “cash only”.

Le_Cheval_BerkeleyThe place is usually packed during lunch peak. (This picture was taken at 3 pm.) There are about a dozen dishes on the counter, you pay a fix price for a combo rice plate, and make your own. I haven’t tried those, because it would take more time than to order a bowl of pho. Actually I said “noodle soup”, and the white man at the cashier politely asked, in well-toned Vietnamese, “phở bò?” :-). I paid, poured myself a glass of water, sat down with a number. Two minutes later a guy, tray in hand, zigzagged from the back kitchen through numerous chairs and conversations. My pho was ready, snuggly next to the usual bountiful plate of bean sprouts and mints. I don’t recall my double cheeseburgers coming to me faster than that, especially when there are 50 customers around. Arguably, this phở is a more heart-warming encounter. What else would you expect from a big bowl with lotsa meat?

Speediness aside, Le Cheval has something else worth coming for: phở sans broth and all that steamy business. I haven’t seen this dish anywhere else. It appears under the name “stir-fried phở” on page 3 of the menu. It has the combined quality of pad thai and jap chae. A delicate yet enduring texture. It’s phở you can eat with a fork and ease. It’s phở you can take your time handling without making it disintegrate into the sea of broth. And take time you must, for it’s a big plate.

The veggies and shrimps are just makeup on a natural beauty, and probably for the health-conscious. The noodle is already savoury by itself.

Side note: the chopsticks here might be a little too short, and I always get loaded with guilt when putting my finished bowl (with broth) into the plastic bins for dirty dishes. Fatty liquid streaming out and coating the bowls isn’t a pretty sight. On the plus size, self-service saves you on tips, and all the more reason to order pho xao if you have time.

Address: Le Petit Cheval
2600 Bancroft Way (between Bowditch St and College Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-704-8018

0 Comments to “Fast pho at Le Cheval”


  1. Useful advice! For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    2
  2. Appreciate the thorough insights. For more, visit השכרת מונית 6 מקומות .

    4
  3. Pipes routine maintenance can enhance productivity and assistance steer clear of unanticipated malfunctions. Amarillo homeowners may learn more below: Water Heater Repair Amarillo

    5
  4. This clarified a lot about roof replacement I loved the part about CT-specific roofing regulations. Any tips for budget planning for repairs would be appreciated. Explore further details at metal roofing near me .

    6
  5. This clarified a lot about roof replacement I loved the part about CT-specific roofing regulations. Any tips for budget planning for repairs would be appreciated. Explore further details at ##anyKeyword##.

    7
  6. I found this article while searching for how to get trading bonus . The Bitget Referral Code “SAVE40” may help eligible users reduce trading costs and access promotional rewards of up to 6,200 USDT

    10
  7. I found this article while searching for ##anyKeyword##. The Bitget Referral Code “SAVE40” may help eligible users reduce trading costs and access promotional rewards of up to 6,200 USDT

    11
  8. I was worried about our digging terrier, so they kept the bottom of the fence tight to the ground and added a buried barrier. Six months later, not a single escape.
    fence company St. Augustine

    12
  9. We needed a roof inspection before selling our house, and Equity provided a detailed report the same day. New roof installation Olympia

    13
  10. I was worried about our digging terrier, so they kept the bottom of the fence tight to the ground and added a buried barrier. Six months later, not a single escape.

    14
  11. We needed a roof inspection before selling our house, and Equity provided a detailed report the same day.

    15
  12. Automobile wraps are a fantastic way to refresh a car’s look without an irreversible paint modification. The variety of surfaces and colors makes them actually appealing for both individual and company usage. car wrap winnipeg

    16
  13. Automobile wraps are a fantastic way to refresh a car’s look without an irreversible paint modification. The variety of surfaces and colors makes them actually appealing for both individual and company usage.

    17
  14. Great post. You highlighted several practical considerations for choosing a cannabis store. Local insights about Needles, CA always make articles like this stand out. I’d love to see a follow-up covering shopping best practices best dispensary in needles ca

    19
  15. Great post. You highlighted several practical considerations for choosing a cannabis store. Local insights about Needles, CA always make articles like this stand out. I’d love to see a follow-up covering shopping best practices

    20
  16. Many thanks for sharing these pipes suggestions. It is actually consistently wise to know who to call before an emergency situation happens, and Emergency Plumber Amarillo is a practical possibility for regional plumbing system demands.

    21
  17. Many thanks for sharing these pipes suggestions. It is actually consistently wise to know who to call before an emergency situation happens, and ##anyKeyword## is a practical possibility for regional plumbing system demands.

    22
  18. This was quite useful. For more, visit kitchen cabinets los gatos .

    23
  19. This was quite useful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    24
  20. I like that you mention pet policies as a factor. For some seniors, staying with a pet can be a major source of comfort. When we searched on senior care , we filtered for pet-friendly Independent and Assisted Living communities.

    25
  21. I’m grateful you included advice about maintaining family connections after placement. I’ll look for communities on memory care that support video calls and frequent visits.

    26
  22. I like that you mention pet policies as a factor. For some seniors, staying with a pet can be a major source of comfort. When we searched on ##anyKeyword##, we filtered for pet-friendly Independent and Assisted Living communities.

    27
  23. I’m grateful you included advice about maintaining family connections after placement. I’ll look for communities on ##anyKeyword## that support video calls and frequent visits.

    28
  24. This was quite informative. For more, visit pressure washing close to me .

    29
  25. This was quite informative. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    30
  26. This was a wonderful guide. Check out experto en salud capilar for more.

    31
  27. This was a wonderful guide. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    32
  28. This clarified a lot about roof inspections Your discussion on choosing shingles is especially useful. Do you recommend any roofing tools in Southington? Explore further details at residential roofing glastonbury ct .

    33
  29. This clarified a lot about roof inspections Your discussion on choosing shingles is especially useful. Do you recommend any roofing tools in Southington? Explore further details at ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  30. It’s refreshing to see a non-scary explanation of senior living options. There’s a lot of fear around the idea of “going to a home.” Articles like this and resources such as elder care help make the process more understandable.

    35
  31. It’s refreshing to see a non-scary explanation of senior living options. There’s a lot of fear around the idea of “going to a home.” Articles like this and resources such as ##anyKeyword## help make the process more understandable.

    36
  32. I enjoyed this read. For more, visit Valencia Nails Spa Potranco .

    37
  33. I enjoyed this read. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    38
  34. I appreciate the effort behind this article. The way you explained what to look for in a cannabis store was very helpful. Having local insight about Needles, CA makes this even more relevant dispensary near needles ca

    39
  35. A smaller home environment feels less like a “facility” and more like a shared house, which can encourage seniors to stay involved in simple daily chores. I read more about this at senior care .

    40
  36. I appreciate the effort behind this article. The way you explained what to look for in a cannabis store was very helpful. Having local insight about Needles, CA makes this even more relevant

    41
  37. A smaller home environment feels less like a “facility” and more like a shared house, which can encourage seniors to stay involved in simple daily chores. I read more about this at ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  38. I like the emphasis on preventive care since catching eye problems early can save a lot of trouble later. optometrist

    43
  39. I like the emphasis on preventive care since catching eye problems early can save a lot of trouble later.

    44
  40. Appreciate the thorough insights. For more, visit חומר אלוקובונד .

    45
  41. The feedback about attentive service and clear explanations makes Opticore Buena Park stand out. eye doctor optometrist optometrist near me

    46
  42. The feedback about attentive service and clear explanations makes Opticore Buena Park stand out. ##anyKeyword##

    47
  43. This was a great article. Check out יעוץ משכנתא לגיל השלישי for more.

    49
  44. This was a great article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    50


Leave a Reply