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. This was a great article. Check out לוחות אלוקובונד למגורים for more.

    1
  2. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit professional Airbnb cleaners Napa .

    3
  3. Thanks for the useful post. More like this at נציג וירטואלי לשירות .

    4
  4. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at deep house cleaning Hyannis MA .

    6
  5. I’ve been searching for the most effective plumbing professionals near me and maintained seeing exceptional reviews concerning Eary Pipes in St Augustine and Ponte Vedra Coastline. Their quick action, fair pricing, and expert work really impressed me emergency water heater repair

    7
  6. I’ve been searching for the most effective plumbing professionals near me and maintained seeing exceptional reviews concerning Eary Pipes in St Augustine and Ponte Vedra Coastline. Their quick action, fair pricing, and expert work really impressed me

    8
  7. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit cleaning services San Jose .

    9
  8. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    10
  9. Thanks for the useful post. More like this at ייעוץ כלכלי להבראה .

    12
  10. Thanks for the useful post. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    13
  11. This was a great article. Check out subscription cleaning Santa Rosa CA for more.

    15
  12. This was very well put together. Discover more at הסעת ספיישל בית שמש לירושלים .

    17
  13. This was a great article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    18
  14. This was very well put together. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  15. This was quite informative. For more, visit home closing sanitizing Cape Cod .

    20
  16. Επιτέλους ένα άρθρο που μιλάει ρεαλιστικά για τη νυχτερινή σκηνή. Για πιο προσωπική διασκέδαση με athens escorts greece, χρήσιμο είναι και το local top escorts girls Athens .

    21
  17. This was quite informative. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    22
  18. Επιτέλους ένα άρθρο που μιλάει ρεαλιστικά για τη νυχτερινή σκηνή. Για πιο προσωπική διασκέδαση με athens escorts greece, χρήσιμο είναι και το ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  19. Pain Relief therapy information is easier to explore when the specific approach is clearly named.
    A broad service label can leave important questions unanswered.
    Pain Relief therapy discussions should begin with the person’s main concerns Pain Relief therapy

    24
  20. Pain Relief therapy information is easier to explore when the specific approach is clearly named.
    A broad service label can leave important questions unanswered.
    Pain Relief therapy discussions should begin with the person’s main concerns

    25
  21. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at deep house cleaning Bay Area .

    26
  22. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    27
  23. Thanks for the clear breakdown. More info at אוטומציה בוואטסאפ .

    28
  24. Thanks for the clear breakdown. More info at ##anyKeyword##.

    29
  25. This was very beneficial. For more, visit חברות חיפוי אלומיניום .

    30
  26. This was very beneficial. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    31
  27. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit Petaluma pre-move cleaning service .

    33
  28. Запчасти к гидронасосам: Аналоги Оригиналы

    34
  29. Useful advice! For more, visit house cleaning Sandwich MA .

    36
  30. Useful advice! For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  31. Rodrigo3691 says:

    beegcom

    38
  32. Thanks for the great explanation. Find more at צ’אטבוט מבוסס AI .

    40
  33. Thanks for the great explanation. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    41
  34. This was highly educational. For more, visit מונית שדה התעופה לירושלים .

    42
  35. This was highly educational. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    43
  36. Wonderful tips! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  37. Thanks for the informative content. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    47
  38. The Woodlands South MRT connection plus malls and healthcare nearby feels like a complete package. More info: ##anyKeyword## https://wynwood-grand.sg/

    48
  39. Keeping accurate records from the beginning can help avoid confusion later. A car accident lawyer can use those records to build a clearer timeline of the crash, medical treatment, work impact, and insurance communications.
    Personal Injury Lawyer

    50


Leave a Reply