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. На данном веб-сайте удастся обнаружить полезную информацию. https://trc-stolica.ru

    1
  2. Здесь портале вы сможете найти интересную информацию. https://1-mk.ru/detail/257-zhiteli-bragino-trebuyut-remonta-trotuara-nevozmozhno-proyti-ot-shestogo-mikrorayona-do-panina/

    2
  3. Rates and fees aren’t the only cost—consider the cost of missed payments too. If you’re in Alexandria, late fees and the risk of credit impacts can raise overall cost payday loans

    3
  4. Тут ресурсе удастся почерпнуть ценную информацию. https://cavepandora.ru/

    4
  5. Really solid advice for choosing solar providers in Danville. For quotes and support, visit solar energy company .

    5
  6. Empty obstructions and pipe cracks prevail problems, but professional solution may conserve a lot of anxiety. Amarillo homeowners might want to check out Emergency Plumber Amarillo .

    6
  7. Thanks for making solar providers in Stockton less confusing. I found extra info at solar panel providers stockton .

    7
  8. Clifford Lucas says:

    Appreciate the thorough analysis. For more, visit Air conditioning services .

    8
  9. win2day online

    9
  10. Always great to see practical advice. For solar providers in Concord, I’d start with solar power providers .

    10
  11. На данном веб-сайте можно отыскать важную информацию. https://dnitii.ru

    11
  12. Great post—solar providers in Pleasanton are easier to evaluate with this info. solar panel providers

    12
  13. Great post—solar providers in Pleasanton are easier to evaluate with this info. ##anyKeyword##

    13
  14. This post is perfect for anyone comparing solar providers in Lodi this season. solar companies

    14
  15. This post is perfect for anyone comparing solar providers in Lodi this season. ##anyKeyword##

    15
  16. Тут портале удастся отыскать полезную информацию. https://online-festival.ru/detail/1404-pauza-v-rossiysko-amerikanskikh-peregovorakh-ot-irana-do-kharaktera-lidera.html

    16
  17. Useful tips on selecting solar panels and inverters—important for solar providers in Auburn. solar panel

    17
  18. When reviewing rates, ensure you’re comparing APRs with the same fee structure. In New Orleans, a “low rate” offer could still cost more if fees are higher payday loans

    18
  19. When reviewing rates, ensure you’re comparing APRs with the same fee structure. In New Orleans, a “low rate” offer could still cost more if fees are higher

    19
  20. Good job explaining how to choose a reputable solar installer in Chico. Learn from solar providers .

    20
  21. Awesome article—straightforward and informative. I’m looking at options and started with solar companies .

    21
  22. Sewer and also drain troubles are actually certainly certainly not one thing to neglect. If you are actually searching for reputable plumbers in Amarillo, Amarillo Plumbing Company costs visiting.

    22
  23. Sewer and also drain troubles are actually certainly certainly not one thing to neglect. If you are actually searching for reputable plumbers in Amarillo, ##anyKeyword## costs visiting.

    23
  24. Solid advice for homeowners comparing solar providers in Grass Valley—very actionable. solar panel providers

    24
  25. Thanks! Your points on evaluating installers are perfect for people in Davis considering solar. solar power providers

    25
  26. Puede dar un aspecto más femenino a quienes lo buscan. mejor aumento labios Barcelona

    26
  27. Puede dar un aspecto más femenino a quienes lo buscan.

    27
  28. Helpful breakdown of what to expect during the solar site assessment. solar power providers

    28
  29. Great post. The best solar providers in Danville are the ones who communicate clearly, like solar company danville .

    29
  30. Thanks! I’m exploring local solar providers in Yuba City and will read more at solar panel .

    30
  31. This is a solid guide. For solar providers in Concord, take a look at solar panel providers concord .

    31
  32. Loved the trees-and-glass composition in their most modern undertaking; Henson Architecture keeps to push considerate design. More at henson architecture luxury residences .

    32
  33. This is a solid guide. For solar providers in Concord, take a look at ##anyKeyword##.

    33
  34. Loved the trees-and-glass composition in their most modern undertaking; Henson Architecture keeps to push considerate design. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  35. Excellent points about system sizing—very important for Antioch homes. More here: solar energy consultation

    35
  36. Quite beneficial blog post for resident. Whether it is a home or business in Amarillo, Amarillo Plumbing Company can assist link people along with plumbing remedies.

    36
  37. Quite beneficial blog post for resident. Whether it is a home or business in Amarillo, ##anyKeyword## can assist link people along with plumbing remedies.

    37
  38. шины для ford kuga шины nokian 225

    38
  39. купить macbook neo купить айфон 16 белый в уфе

    39
  40. Your points about shading and roof condition are important for Lodi solar installs. solar providers

    40
  41. Your points about shading and roof condition are important for Lodi solar installs. ##anyKeyword##

    41
  42. I appreciate the focus on long-term performance with solar providers in Fairfield. For options, see solar companies .

    42
  43. Thanks for explaining the importance of interconnection and local requirements for solar providers in Auburn. solar panel

    43
  44. Responsible borrowing starts with understanding repayment terms and penalties. For borrowers in Alexandria, it’s important to know whether the lender allows extra payments, how it handles late payments, and how fees affect the loan balance payday loans

    44
  45. Responsible borrowing starts with understanding repayment terms and penalties. For borrowers in Alexandria, it’s important to know whether the lender allows extra payments, how it handles late payments, and how fees affect the loan balance

    45
  46. Great activity explaining the fee pass—this makes it more easy to see how TPAs earn for claims dealing with. Read extra: near me tpas payment

    46
  47. Great activity explaining the fee pass—this makes it more easy to see how TPAs earn for claims dealing with. Read extra: ##anyKeyword##

    47
  48. Thanks for the practical tips for finding solar providers in Davis. Here’s a resource: solar panel providers davis

    48
  49. купить айфон 17 про 256 в ростове на дону айфон 17 про макс 1 тб

    49
  50. запчасти tilt для самоката Руль для самоката

    50


Leave a Reply