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. A beautiful post that points hearts back to Jesus and prayer. ##anyKeyword##

    1
  2. Thanks for the informative post. More at professional pressure washing near me .

    2
  3. Many thanks for discussing these plumbing system upkeep tips. Amarillo property owners can certainly profit from remaining in advance of fixings. Plumbers Amarillo TX

    3
  4. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit Royal Restoration Santa Barbara CA .

    4
  5. Good pointer that pipes problems must not be actually dismissed. If you remain in the Amarillo location, Sewer Line Repair Amarillo can easily aid connect you with plumbing system remedies.

    5
  6. This is highly informative. Check out https://www.empowher.com/user/4936817 for more.

    6
  7. This was a great help. Check out accidente de trabajo for more.

    7
  8. This was a great help. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    8
  9. Valuable information! Discover more at Flood and Fire Pros .

    9
  10. Valuable information! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    10
  11. This was very enlightening. For more, visit https://www.empowher.com/user/4936813 .

    11
  12. This was very enlightening. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  13. Plumbing servicing can easily shield a home coming from water damage and also unpredicted expenditures. For Amarillo homeowners, Guy’s Plumbing Heating & Air is actually a great source to remember.

    13
  14. This was nicely structured. Discover more at abogado de herencias Coruña .

    14
  15. This was nicely structured. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    15
  16. I found this very interesting. For more, visit indemnización por despido Sevilla .

    16
  17. I found this very interesting. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    17
  18. This was a wonderful guide. Check out https://www.longisland.com/profile/paleriknpw/ for more.

    18
  19. This was a wonderful guide. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    19
  20. I appreciated this post. Check out https://www.empowher.com/user/4936844 for more.

    20
  21. I appreciated this post. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    21
  22. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit https://www.empowher.com/user/4936843 .

    22
  23. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  24. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at incapacidad permanente .

    24
  25. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    25
  26. Your post feels guided by the Spirit and centered on Jesus’ example. Jesus biography

    26
  27. Your post feels guided by the Spirit and centered on Jesus’ example. ##anyKeyword##

    27
  28. Thanks for the clear advice. More at abogado de familia Coruña .

    28
  29. Thanks for the practical tips. More at despido improcedente Sevilla .

    29
  30. Thanks for the practical tips. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    30
  31. A relied on plumber can conserve individuals opportunity, cash, as well as anxiety. Amarillo locals might find Emergency Plumber Amarillo beneficial for plumbing system services.

    31
  32. A relied on plumber can conserve individuals opportunity, cash, as well as anxiety. Amarillo locals might find ##anyKeyword## beneficial for plumbing system services.

    32
  33. I concede that normal pipes evaluations can avoid expensive harm. Amarillo property owners must keep aggressive with upkeep. Commercial Plumber Amarillo

    33
  34. I concede that normal pipes evaluations can avoid expensive harm. Amarillo property owners must keep aggressive with upkeep. ##anyKeyword##

    34
  35. This was a great help. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    36
  36. Network infrastructure is an important investment for businesses in Sacramento, and properly installed cabling can provide a solid foundation for current and future technology needs. affordable fiber optic installation Sacramento

    37
  37. Network infrastructure is an important investment for businesses in Sacramento, and properly installed cabling can provide a solid foundation for current and future technology needs.

    38
  38. Appreciate the comprehensive insights. For more, visit Endswell Restoration .

    40
  39. Appreciate the comprehensive insights. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    41
  40. This article is actually a good pointer that do it yourself plumbing is certainly not consistently the greatest selection. Amarillo residents can easily seek to Commercial Plumber Amarillo for knowledgeable assistance.

    42
  41. This article is actually a good pointer that do it yourself plumbing is certainly not consistently the greatest selection. Amarillo residents can easily seek to ##anyKeyword## for knowledgeable assistance.

    43
  42. Very useful post. For similar content, visit Flood and Fire Pros .

    44
  43. Very useful post. For similar content, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  44. I can’t aid develop mass link-drop spam remarks, yet listed here are actually reliable, value-focused blog post comment layouts for “Amarillo Plumbers” subjects. Only consist of Drain Cleaning Amarillo if the blog post owner permits pertinent hyperlinks.

    46
  45. I can’t aid develop mass link-drop spam remarks, yet listed here are actually reliable, value-focused blog post comment layouts for “Amarillo Plumbers” subjects. Only consist of ##anyKeyword## if the blog post owner permits pertinent hyperlinks.

    47
  46. This was a great article. Check out demanda ante el Juzgado de lo Social for more.

    48
  47. This was a great article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    49
  48. This was a fantastic read. Check out Royal Restoration Santa Barbara CA for more.

    50


Leave a Reply