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. Seasonal blossoms can really improve the elegance of your home throughout the year! I’m thrilled to discover which ones are best for every period at ##anyKeyword##.

    1
  2. Appreciate the insightful article. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    2
  3. This was quite informative. For more, visit Lincoln Logistics Dumpster Rentals Gastonia .

    3
  4. ¿Las ondas de choque se pueden combinar con infiltraciones? dispositivo para ondas de choque

    4
  5. Thanks for the comprehensive read. Find more at casa rural con barbacoa Segovia .

    5
  6. Thanks for the practical tips. More at contador fiscal Saltillo .

    6
  7. Thanks for the practical tips. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    7
  8. This was highly useful. For more, visit abogada Vigo .

    8
  9. This was highly useful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    9
  10. Great insights! Find more at Transfer hotel Arzúa .

    10
  11. Thanks for the clear breakdown. Find more at albergues Palas de Rei .

    11
  12. Great insights! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  13. Thanks for the clear breakdown. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    13
  14. Whether it is actually water pipes repair work, drainpipe cleansing, or water heater service, Amarillo residents need to have professional plumbing remedies: Plumbing Services Amarillo TX

    14
  15. Whether it is actually water pipes repair work, drainpipe cleansing, or water heater service, Amarillo residents need to have professional plumbing remedies: ##anyKeyword##

    15
  16. Wonderful tips! Discover more at escapada rural Segovia .

    16
  17. I found this very interesting. For more, visit planeación fiscal Saltillo .

    17
  18. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit Traslados Arzúa Santiago .

    18
  19. I found this very interesting. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  20. Wonderful tips! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    20
  21. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    21
  22. Great job! Discover more at abogado inmobiliario Vigo .

    22
  23. Wonderful article—your explanation of “no prep” is exactly what I was searching for. no prep veneers Manhattan nyc

    23
  24. Wonderful article—your explanation of “no prep” is exactly what I was searching for. ##anyKeyword##

    24
  25. Great job! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    25
  26. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit mejores albergues en Palas de Rei .

    26
  27. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    27
  28. Thanks for highlighting the importance of foam, caulk, and insulation. For Glen Ellyn window installation, see whole house window replacement .

    28
  29. Thanks for highlighting the importance of foam, caulk, and insulation. For Glen Ellyn window installation, see ##anyKeyword##.

    29
  30. Cada vez escucho más opiniones positivas sobre la criolipólisis en Barcelona, especialmente en abdomen, cartucheras y brazos. Criolipolisis barcelona

    30
  31. Cada vez escucho más opiniones positivas sobre la criolipólisis en Barcelona, especialmente en abdomen, cartucheras y brazos.

    31
  32. It’s encouraging to see info that addresses cravings and withdrawal challenges in Charlotte. medically assisted detox

    32
  33. It’s encouraging to see info that addresses cravings and withdrawal challenges in Charlotte. ##anyKeyword##

    33
  34. https://b52club-4.club/ hướng đến một trải nghiệm số có tính liên tục, nơi tốc độ và độ ổn định được duy trì xuyên suốt từ lúc mở trang đến khi hoàn tất các thao tác.

    34
  35. https://b52club-4.net/ phát triển hệ thống với mục tiêu duy trì khả năng truy cập nhanh ngay cả khi người dùng chuyển đổi liên tục giữa nhiều nội dung.

    35
  36. https://b52club-3.work/ hướng đến việc rút ngắn các bước thao tác, giúp người dùng di chuyển giữa các khu vực trên nền tảng một cách nhanh chóng và trực quan.

    36
  37. https://b52club-4.work/ tổ chức nền tảng theo hướng tinh gọn để người dùng có thể nhanh chóng xác định khu vực cần truy cập mà không phải thực hiện quá nhiều bước

    37
  38. https://b52club-3.club/ định hình môi trường trực tuyến theo hướng dễ làm quen, trong đó các khu vực chức năng được bố trí rõ ràng và hạn chế sự phức tạp không cần thiết.

    38
  39. I enjoy these plumbing system suggestions. Whether it’s a clogged drainpipe, hot water heater concern, or even pipe fixing, Amarillo homeowners should have a reputable choice like Sewer Line Repair Amarillo .

    39
  40. https://b52club-3.org/ chú trọng xây dựng hạ tầng có khả năng duy trì hiệu suất đồng đều khi người dùng thực hiện nhiều thao tác liên tiếp.

    40
  41. https://b52club-4.xyz/ chú trọng tính linh hoạt của giao diện để người dùng có thể tiếp cận nền tảng thuận tiện từ nhiều thiết bị khác nhau.

    41
  42. I enjoy these plumbing system suggestions. Whether it’s a clogged drainpipe, hot water heater concern, or even pipe fixing, Amarillo homeowners should have a reputable choice like ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  43. This article makes the first step toward detox feel more approachable and safe. drug medical detox

    43
  44. This article makes the first step toward detox feel more approachable and safe. ##anyKeyword##

    44
  45. Thanks for the great tips. Discover more at opiniones y valoraciones casas rurales Segovia .

    45
  46. Really preferred the examples of TPAs—fantastically the way you defined the tradeoffs. Additional content at what are tpas examples .

    46
  47. Thanks for the great tips. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    47
  48. Really preferred the examples of TPAs—fantastically the way you defined the tradeoffs. Additional content at ##anyKeyword##.

    48
  49. This was a great article. Check out contador fiscal Saltillo for more.

    49
  50. Fantastic post! Discover more at primera consulta gratuita Vigo .

    50


Leave a Reply