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

    1
  2. Nicely done! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    2
  3. Thanks for the informative content. More at https://www.empowher.com/user/4938570 .

    3
  4. Thanks for the great information. More at custom business signs .

    4
  5. This was highly useful. For more, visit Remodeling contractor near me .

    5
  6. I appreciated this article. For more, visit los gatos kitchen and bath .

    6
  7. I’ve been searching for a professional Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and was consistently seeing exceptional evaluations about Pain Relief Centre chiropractor

    7
  8. I appreciated this article. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    8
  9. I’ve been searching for a professional Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and was consistently seeing exceptional evaluations about Pain Relief Centre

    9
  10. This is very insightful. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    11
  11. Interesting take on statistics governance in healthcare startups. Our governance variation is at IHBS

    12
  12. Interesting take on statistics governance in healthcare startups. Our governance variation is at ##anyKeyword##

    13
  13. Their use of textures and easy creates inviting interiors—price a deeper appearance on henson architecture new york firm .

    14
  14. Their use of textures and easy creates inviting interiors—price a deeper appearance on ##anyKeyword##.

    15
  15. Top tier service every time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re hands down the most effective lawn care company in Gainesville. lawn care near me

    16
  16. Top tier service every time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re hands down the most effective lawn care company in Gainesville.

    17
  17. Writing short promotional snippets for social media, directory listings, or business profiles. same-day cleaning Renton

    18
  18. Writing short promotional snippets for social media, directory listings, or business profiles.

    19
  19. Great perspective and excellent editing—visit https://example.com

    20
  20. Automated anomaly alerts to phone—setup at Agricultural Drones .

    21
  21. Automated anomaly alerts to phone—setup at ##anyKeyword##.

    22
  22. Exceptional solution whenever with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re most certainly the best lawn care near me in St Augustine. Their techs really detect dirt and turf issues, not simply spray and pray, and their customer care is quick and friendly lawn care st augustine

    23
  23. I’ve in fact been trying to find the very best HVAC contractor in Jacksonville and maintained seeing superb evaluations about King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville HVAC contractor

    24
  24. I’ve in fact been trying to find the very best HVAC contractor in Jacksonville and maintained seeing superb evaluations about King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville

    25
  25. If you’re looking for the “top rated Chinese food near me” around St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a winner! chinese food

    26
  26. Appreciate the thorough write-up. Find more at affordable kitchen remodel near me .

    27
  27. If you’re looking for the “top rated Chinese food near me” around St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a winner!

    28
  28. Appreciate the thorough write-up. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    29
  29. Helpful reminder. For regular IT health checks in Sheffield, Barnsley IT maintenance runs thorough reviews.

    30
  30. Very informative article. For similar content, visit https://www.hometalk.com/member/259761289/estella1964714 .

    31
  31. Helpful reminder. For regular IT health checks in Sheffield, ##anyKeyword## runs thorough reviews.

    32
  32. Long-term injuries are often overlooked—something a Kent injury lawyer will not allow the insurer to ignore. Dog bite lawyer

    34
  33. Very informative article. For similar content, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    35
  34. The artistry behind each step taken throughout various processes involved reflects passion felt deeply by those committed within this field. commercial floor restoration company

    36
  35. Long-term injuries are often overlooked—something a Kent injury lawyer will not allow the insurer to ignore.

    37
  36. Appreciate the thorough insights. For more, visit exterior painting contractor .

    38
  37. If you were hurt on Kent Kangley Road, a personal injury attorney can help prove how the crash occurred. Dog bite lawyer

    39
  38. The artistry behind each step taken throughout various processes involved reflects passion felt deeply by those committed within this field.

    40
  39. BGN Attorneys helps Pasco clients pursue injury recovery with experienced car accident lawyer representation. Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

    41
  40. If you were hurt on Kent Kangley Road, a personal injury attorney can help prove how the crash occurred.

    42
  41. Appreciate the thorough insights. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    43
  42. BGN Attorneys helps Pasco clients pursue injury recovery with experienced car accident lawyer representation.

    44
  43. This was a wonderful post. Check out ski trans pomoc drogowa for more.

    45
  44. This was a wonderful post. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    46
  45. This was highly educational. For more, visit https://www.empowher.com/user/4938595 .

    47
  46. This was highly educational. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    48
  47. This was beautifully organized. Discover more at https://www.empowher.com/user/4938586 .

    49
  48. Trusted service whenever with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re hands down the best landscaping near me in Gainesville Fl. landscaping near me

    50


Leave a Reply