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. This is actually a beneficial suggestion that little leakages must certainly never be actually disregarded. For anybody in the Amarillo region, having actually a trusted plumbing system service including ##anyKeyword## can easily spare a bunch of worry.

    1
  2. Пламегасители в Рязани

    2
  3. I’ve been searching for the best Gutters replacement company near me and kept noticing multiple excellent reviews about A+ Gutters for St Augustine gutters

    4
  4. Local area plumbers in Amarillo can help with repair work, installations, examinations, as well as urgent plumbing system requirements. Go to Commercial Plumber Amarillo .

    5
  5. 会心と速度だけでなく、必殺技に支援効果を重ねる順番まで確認できる点が参考になります。 ギルガメッシュ記憶の庭攻略

    6
  6. Quality solution every single time with Pure Energy Electrical Services! They’re unquestionably the very best electrician near me in St Augustine.
    electrician near me

    7
  7. Pretty great post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
    After all I will be subscribing on your feed and I’m hoping you
    write again very soon!

    8
  8. This is quite enlightening. Check out https://maps.app.goo.gl/TPvJGdLMgTET7nrJ6 for more.

    9
  9. Choosing solar providers in Lodi can be tricky, but this post makes it clearer. solar power supplier

    10
  10. This is quite enlightening. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    11
  11. Choosing solar providers in Lodi can be tricky, but this post makes it clearer. ##anyKeyword##

    12
  12. 会心と速度だけでなく、必殺技に支援効果を重ねる順番まで確認できる点が参考になります。 ギルガメッシュの相性確認

    13
  13. 会心と速度だけでなく、必殺技に支援効果を重ねる順番まで確認できる点が参考になります。

    14
  14. Great job! Find more at maps.app.goo.gl .

    15
  15. This was highly useful. For more, visit Mitigate First Atlanta .

    16
  16. This was highly useful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    17
  17. This is highly informative. Check out plumbing supply store for more.

    18
  18. super_max72 says:

    sessoxxx

    19
  19. This is highly informative. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    20
  20. This is highly informative. Check out Vanguard Termite Control for more.

    21
  21. This was very enlightening. For more, visit custom channel letter .

    22
  22. This is highly informative. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    23
  23. телеграм канал Titan HQ телеграм канал Titan HQ

    24
  24. What information should a facility manager prepare before contacting an Industrial Electrician?
    A checklist for discussing shutdown work with an Industrial Electrician would be useful Industrial Electrician

    25
  25. What information should a facility manager prepare before contacting an Industrial Electrician?
    A checklist for discussing shutdown work with an Industrial Electrician would be useful

    26
  26. I have actually been trying to find the very best Gutters replacement company near me and kept observing multiple exceptional reviews about A+ Gutters for Nocatee gutters

    27
  27. Thormixer gifts itself as a Bitcoin mixer and BTC tumbler centered on cryptocurrency transaction privateness, with advice approximately Bitcoin processing and privacy-orientated qualities. see this

    28
  28. I have actually been trying to find the very best Gutters replacement company near me and kept observing multiple exceptional reviews about A+ Gutters for Nocatee

    29
  29. Thormixer gifts itself as a Bitcoin mixer and BTC tumbler centered on cryptocurrency transaction privateness, with advice approximately Bitcoin processing and privacy-orientated qualities.

    30
  30. What should homeowners ask before planning a New Roof Installation?
    A clear project checklist would be helpful for New Roof Installation.
    I would appreciate a simple overview of the New Roof Installation process New Roof Installation

    31
  31. What should homeowners ask before planning a New Roof Installation?
    A clear project checklist would be helpful for New Roof Installation.
    I would appreciate a simple overview of the New Roof Installation process

    32
  32. Herbicide savings after precise patch spraying. Figures at Drone Spraying .

    33
  33. What should someone ask before booking catering for an event?
    A clear catering menu would make planning much easier.
    I would appreciate a simple checklist for comparing catering options Catering

    34
  34. Appreciate the thorough information. For more, visit K&D Development .

    35
  35. What should someone ask before booking catering for an event?
    A clear catering menu would make planning much easier.
    I would appreciate a simple checklist for comparing catering options

    36
  36. Herbicide savings after precise patch spraying. Figures at ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  37. Appreciate the thorough information. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    38
  38. This was a great article. Check out Urbinas Painting Services for more.

    39
  39. Really insightful. Plumbing urgents never ever take place at a handy time, so knowing about Drain Cleaning Amarillo serves for any individual in the Amarillo area.

    40
  40. Quality solution every single time with Pure Energy Electrical Services! They’re unquestionably the very best electrician near me in St Augustine.
    electrician

    41
  41. Quality solution every single time with Pure Energy Electrical Services! They’re unquestionably the very best electrician near me in St Augustine.

    42
  42. This was a great article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    43
  43. Really insightful. Plumbing urgents never ever take place at a handy time, so knowing about ##anyKeyword## serves for any individual in the Amarillo area.

    44
  44. You’ve nailed the fast shutter timing—this is top-tier Melbourne sports photography. https://yourlink.com

    45
  45. I’m researching Cosmetic Dentistry Bakersfield CA for a smile makeover.
    This guide made Cosmetic Dentistry Bakersfield CA much easier to understand dental bonding Bakersfield

    46
  46. I’m researching Cosmetic Dentistry Bakersfield CA for a smile makeover.
    This guide made Cosmetic Dentistry Bakersfield CA much easier to understand

    47
  47. Great tips for individuals in Amarillo. Pipes concerns can easily obtain expensive swiftly, so it is actually regularly brilliant to call a depended on local area specialist like Commercial Plumber Amarillo just before a little leak becomes a significant repair.

    48
  48. Great tips for individuals in Amarillo. Pipes concerns can easily obtain expensive swiftly, so it is actually regularly brilliant to call a depended on local area specialist like ##anyKeyword## just before a little leak becomes a significant repair.

    49
  49. I’ve been searching for the best Gutters replacement company near me and kept seeing multiple exceptional evaluations about A+ Gutters for St Augustine gutters

    50


Leave a Reply