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. Nicely done! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    1
  2. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit antes y después injerto capilar Jaén .

    2
  3. Przydatny materiał dla osób, które dopiero analizują
    dostępne możliwości. Warto zweryfikować najważniejsze informacje, zamiast
    kierować się wyłącznie pierwszym wrażeniem.
    Do dodatkowego porównania można wykorzystać również legalne kasyno online.
    Warto poświęcić chwilę na samodzielne sprawdzenie najważniejszych szczegółów.

    4
  4. This was a wonderful guide. Check out estancias en Costa da Morte for more.

    5
  5. Το άρθρο συνοψίζει τέλεια την αθηναϊκή nightlife. Για όσους όμως αναζητούν και πιο προσωπικές υπηρεσίες συνοδών, το experienced call girls μπορεί να φανεί χρήσιμο.

    6
  6. Comprehending the science behind nutrition can play an essential function in overcoming numerous difficulties related to eating disorders! eating disorder treatment

    7
  7. Comprehending the science behind nutrition can play an essential function in overcoming numerous difficulties related to eating disorders! ##anyKeyword##

    8
  8. I didn’t recognize Tampa had numerous evidence-based detox programs. alcohol detox helped me narrow it down.

    9
  9. “Comprehending triggers and how to handle them efficiently plays an important role in recovery– discover useful management techniques through resources readily available at #Anykeyword #.”. drug detox

    10
  10. I valued the emphasis on whole-person recovery. Addressing sleep, nutrition, relationships, and tension management can make a huge distinction in dual diagnosis recovery outcomes. dual diagnosis treatment

    11
  11. I didn’t recognize Tampa had numerous evidence-based detox programs. ##anyKeyword## helped me narrow it down.

    12
  12. “Comprehending triggers and how to handle them efficiently plays an important role in recovery– discover useful management techniques through resources readily available at #Anykeyword #.”.

    13
  13. Integrating innovation into rehabilitation programs could streamline communication and support systems effectively!” # # anyKeyWord # drug rehab

    14
  14. I valued the emphasis on whole-person recovery. Addressing sleep, nutrition, relationships, and tension management can make a huge distinction in dual diagnosis recovery outcomes.

    15
  15. Integrating innovation into rehabilitation programs could streamline communication and support systems effectively!” # # anyKeyWord #

    17
  16. The combination of technology in tracking sobriety turning points is an amazing advancement in addiction healing. # #anyKeyword ##. addiction treatment

    18
  17. The combination of technology in tracking sobriety turning points is an amazing advancement in addiction healing. # #anyKeyword ##.

    19
  18. I found this very helpful. For additional info, visit alojamientos en el Camino Francés .

    20
  19. I found this very helpful. For additional info, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    21
  20. Thanks for the useful suggestions. Discover more at caída del cabello Jaén .

    22
  21. Thanks for the useful suggestions. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  22. For online applications, it helps to know which details impact eligibility the most. In Baton Rouge, income verification and debt obligations might be key installment loans new orleans

    24
  23. For online applications, it helps to know which details impact eligibility the most. In Baton Rouge, income verification and debt obligations might be key

    25
  24. Appreciate the thorough write-up. Find more at mejor clínica capilar en Albacete .

    27
  25. Appreciate the thorough write-up. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    28
  26. Effectively said. Connection of care after inpatient or outpatient treatment is something that should have more attention, considering that aftercare frequently identifies whether progress continues. dual diagnosis treatment

    30
  27. Effectively said. Connection of care after inpatient or outpatient treatment is something that should have more attention, considering that aftercare frequently identifies whether progress continues.

    31
  28. I enjoyed this article. Check out alojamientos en el Camino Francés for more.

    32
  29. I enjoyed this article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    33
  30. Warto było przeczytać ten wpis. Dobrze jest sprawdzić, czy najważniejsze informacje powtarzają się również w
    innych źródłach. Podczas dalszego sprawdzania tematu trafiłem również na najlepsze kasyna online.
    Pozwala to uniknąć oceniania wszystkiego wyłącznie na podstawie jednego kryterium.

    35
  31. Thanks for the practical tips. More at caída del cabello causas .

    37
  32. Thanks for the practical tips. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    38
  33. “Technology aids tracking progress by means of apps developed display triggers encouraging proactive responses before problems happen!” # # Anykeyword #. drug rehab

    39
  34. For alumni support after Tampa detox, alcohol detox lists ongoing groups.

    40
  35. “Technology aids tracking progress by means of apps developed display triggers encouraging proactive responses before problems happen!” # # Anykeyword #.

    41
  36. “Looking forward to getting in touch with others who have faced comparable difficulties as we embark upon our specific journeys toward lasting health– an encouraging community awaits through efforts tied into #Anykeyword #!”. drug detox

    42
  37. For alumni support after Tampa detox, ##anyKeyword## lists ongoing groups.

    43
  38. “Looking forward to getting in touch with others who have faced comparable difficulties as we embark upon our specific journeys toward lasting health– an encouraging community awaits through efforts tied into #Anykeyword #!”.

    44
  39. Everyone’s journey with an eating disorder is special, and treatment must show that individuality! eating disorder treatment

    45
  40. Everyone’s journey with an eating disorder is special, and treatment must show that individuality! ##anyKeyword##

    46
  41. Here are 25 authentic, non-promotional remark concepts appropriate to Dual Diagnosis Treatment that you can adapt for real discussion. If a link is proper and allowed, include dual diagnosis treatment transparently and just when it genuinely assists readers.

    48
  42. Here are 25 authentic, non-promotional remark concepts appropriate to Dual Diagnosis Treatment that you can adapt for real discussion. If a link is proper and allowed, include ##anyKeyword## transparently and just when it genuinely assists readers.

    49
  43. Let’s not forget the value of setting sensible objectives throughout your journey through dependency rehab. # #anyKeyword ##. addiction treatment

    50


Leave a Reply