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. I appreciate the practical focus on contracts and policies. I’ll be sharing this as a resource link on senior care .

    1
  2. If your keys are hard to duplicate, consider a restricted keyway. I got mine through mobile locksmith and it’s been great.

    2
  3. I didn’t know that some Assisted Living communities now offer memory care units, while Nursing Homes traditionally handle more advanced medical issues. I first read about this evolving model on elderly care during my research.

    3
  4. Custom orthotics felt strange at first, but breaking them in gradually helped me avoid new soreness and made the transition easier. foot clinic

    4
  5. Si te sirve, puedo generar ahora mismo una lista de 100 comentarios en español sobre “medicina estética facial” que suenen naturales, aporten valor y te permitan participar de forma genuina, dejando fuera cualquier intención de spam. medicina estética facial barcelona

    5
  6. Bessie Swanson says:

    This was a wonderful post. Check out מזכירה וירטואלית חכמה for more.

    6
  7. The fact it’s the first EC in Bukit Panjang in almost 15 years makes it a standout launch. Details: ##anyKeyword##https://solano-grand.com.sg/

    7
  8. Septic field rehab tip: avoid compaction from vehicles. We posted signs per advice from drainage .

    9
  9. Septic field rehab tip: avoid compaction from vehicles. We posted signs per advice from ##anyKeyword##.

    10
  10. Many older adults resist the idea of a Nursing Home but are more open to Assisted or Independent Living. This article explains those gentler options well. I used assisted living mckinney tx to help my parents see virtual tours and feel more comfortable.

    11
  11. Many older adults resist the idea of a Nursing Home but are more open to Assisted or Independent Living. This article explains those gentler options well. I used ##anyKeyword## to help my parents see virtual tours and feel more comfortable.

    12
  12. With dementia, “familiar and simple” usually beats “grand and impressive.” Small homes tend to honor that reality. We only realized this fully after exploring resources on respite care .

    13
  13. With dementia, “familiar and simple” usually beats “grand and impressive.” Small homes tend to honor that reality. We only realized this fully after exploring resources on ##anyKeyword##.

    14
  14. You’ve made some good points there. I checked
    on the web to find out more about the issue and found most people will go
    along with your views on this web site.

    15
  15. Many older adults feel more comfortable discussing their fears and concerns with a neutral caregiver. Staff from home care albuquerque nm can then share important information with families.

    16
  16. For dump cycles, account for axle wrap affecting angle under load; I learned correction strategies via truck parts .

    17
  17. Many older adults feel more comfortable discussing their fears and concerns with a neutral caregiver. Staff from ##anyKeyword## can then share important information with families.

    18
  18. For dump cycles, account for axle wrap affecting angle under load; I learned correction strategies via ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  19. The part about reading online reviews but also trusting your instincts is so true. We echo that on assisted living albuquerque nm .

    20
  20. The part about reading online reviews but also trusting your instincts is so true. We echo that on ##anyKeyword##.

    21
  21. Asking about meal quality and special diets can really impact comfort. I’ll be linking to this from my nutrition section on senior care .

    22
  22. Asking about meal quality and special diets can really impact comfort. I’ll be linking to this from my nutrition section on ##anyKeyword##.

    24
  23. Gran post sobre seguridad y apertura de puertas Barcelona; echar un vistazo a CERRAJERO BARCELONA puede ser útil.

    25
  24. Gran post sobre seguridad y apertura de puertas Barcelona; echar un vistazo a ##anyKeyword## puede ser útil.

    26
  25. For races and marathons, portable toilets details start-line surge planning for toilets.

    27
  26. For races and marathons, ##anyKeyword## details start-line surge planning for toilets.

    28
  27. Regularly checking door hardware can prevent lockouts. If you need a dependable residential locksmith, key replacement is a solid choice.

    30
  28. Regularly checking door hardware can prevent lockouts. If you need a dependable residential locksmith, ##anyKeyword## is a solid choice.

    31
  29. You made a good point about continuity of care if health declines. I’ll focus on communities listed on assisted living in san antonio tx that can support residents long-term.

    32
  30. You made a good point about continuity of care if health declines. I’ll focus on communities listed on ##anyKeyword## that can support residents long-term.

    33
  31. Catch basin sumps should be deep enough to trap sediment. Designed and installed by septic systems .

    34
  32. Many people assume “all senior care is the same,” but your article makes it clear why memory care is more specialized. We’ve found the same misunderstanding and address it on assisted living st george ut .

    35
  33. Many people assume “all senior care is the same,” but your article makes it clear why memory care is more specialized. We’ve found the same misunderstanding and address it on ##anyKeyword##.

    36
  34. Catch basin sumps should be deep enough to trap sediment. Designed and installed by ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  35. купить виниловые пластинки винил для DJ

    39
  36. Toenail removal is easier for patients when aftercare instructions are simple and clear, and bunion surgery can support an article focused on recovery confidence.

    40
  37. Toenail removal is easier for patients when aftercare instructions are simple and clear, and ##anyKeyword## can support an article focused on recovery confidence.

    41
  38. Emotional readiness of the senior is key. We talk a lot about transition support and adjustment on assisted living .

    42
  39. Look for ISO-certified processes or documented QC steps; I vet shops based on criteria from custom U bolts .

    43
  40. Emotional readiness of the senior is key. We talk a lot about transition support and adjustment on ##anyKeyword##.

    44
  41. Look for ISO-certified processes or documented QC steps; I vet shops based on criteria from ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  42. Nutrition support from home care can include shopping, planning menus, and even sharing a meal together, something caregivers with senior home care often do.

    47
  43. Nutrition support from home care can include shopping, planning menus, and even sharing a meal together, something caregivers with ##anyKeyword## often do.

    48
  44. Need quiet zones? portable restroom rentals suggests distancing units from the stage and VIP areas.

    49
  45. Need quiet zones? ##anyKeyword## suggests distancing units from the stage and VIP areas.

    50


Leave a Reply