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. Thanks for the useful post. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    1
  2. Exceptional service every time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re unquestionably the most effective lawn care company in St Augustine lawn care

    3
  3. Thanks for highlighting important factors like warranties and monitoring. Check solar panel efficiency for Concord providers.

    4
  4. I’ve been looking for the very best Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and was consistently seeing excellent reviews about Pain Relief Centre chiropractor

    5
  5. This is a helpful checklist for solar providers in Yuba City. I’m bookmarking commercial solar panels .

    6
  6. Reputable solution whenever with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re unquestionably the very best landscaping near me in Gainesville. landscaping near me

    7
  7. Reputable solution whenever with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re unquestionably the very best landscaping near me in Gainesville.

    8
  8. Top rated solution each time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re undoubtedly the most effective lawn care company in St Augustine lawn care near me

    9
  9. Reputable solution each time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re unquestionably the very best lawn care in Gainesville Fl. lawn care near me

    10
  10. Top rated solution each time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re undoubtedly the most effective lawn care company in St Augustine

    11
  11. Reputable solution each time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re certainly the very best landscaping near me in St Augustine. landscaping

    12
  12. Reputable solution each time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re certainly the very best landscaping near me in St Augustine.

    13
  13. Great content—your tips can save homeowners time when researching solar providers in Auburn. certified solar companies

    14
  14. Great content—your tips can save homeowners time when researching solar providers in Auburn. ##anyKeyword##

    15
  15. To przydatny materiał do dalszego sprawdzania zagadnienia.
    Najbardziej pomocne jest dla mnie zestawienie kilku ofert
    według identycznych kryteriów. Do listy materiałów pomocnych przy dalszej
    analizie można dodać kasyno online.
    Ostatecznie szczegóły mogą mieć większe znaczenie niż ogólne deklaracje.

    16
  16. Good article for anyone in Stockton wanting to compare solar provider pricing fairly. See renewable solar power providers .

    17
  17. Good article for anyone in Stockton wanting to compare solar provider pricing fairly. See ##anyKeyword##.

    18
  18. This was a great help. Check out מסעדה לבת מצווה for more.

    20
  19. This was a great help. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    21
  20. Thanks for sharing a clear guide—this is helpful for choosing the right solar provider in Rocklin. renewable power providers .

    22
  21. Thanks for sharing a clear guide—this is helpful for choosing the right solar provider in Rocklin. ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  22. Thanks! Your points on evaluating installers are perfect for people in Davis considering solar. solar panel financing

    24
  23. Thanks! Your points on evaluating installers are perfect for people in Davis considering solar. ##anyKeyword##

    25
  24. 5. Thanks for sharing this. Preventive plumbing care is something many homeowners overlook until there’s an emergency. water heater repair cleburne

    26
  25. 5. Thanks for sharing this. Preventive plumbing care is something many homeowners overlook until there’s an emergency.

    27
  26. The tips for choosing a reputable Sacramento solar company are spot on. solar companies in sacramento

    28
  27. If you’re looking for the “best Chinese food near me” around St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a great decision! chinese near me

    29
  28. The tips for choosing a reputable Sacramento solar company are spot on. ##anyKeyword##

    30
  29. I’m looking for the best Cheese Pizza Boulder, Colorado has to offer. Any local favorites?
    Has anyone tried Cheese Pizza Boulder, Colorado recently? I’d love a good recommendation.
    Cheese Pizza Boulder, Colorado sounds perfect for a casual family dinner artisan cheese pizza Boulder

    31
  30. I’m looking for the best Cheese Pizza Boulder, Colorado has to offer. Any local favorites?
    Has anyone tried Cheese Pizza Boulder, Colorado recently? I’d love a good recommendation.
    Cheese Pizza Boulder, Colorado sounds perfect for a casual family dinner

    32
  31. This was quite informative. For more, visit 24 hour car rental near me .

    33
  32. This was quite informative. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  33. If you’re browsing for the “very best Sushi Restaurant near me” around St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a great decision! sushi st augustine

    35
  34. I’ve really been searching for the very best Plumbers and always kept seeing exceptional assessments regarding King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville plumber

    36
  35. If you’re browsing for the “very best Sushi Restaurant near me” around St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a great decision!

    38
  36. I’ve really been searching for the very best Plumbers and always kept seeing exceptional assessments regarding King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville

    39
  37. I’ve really been trying to find the best Garage door repair work and maintained seeing outstanding reviews about King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville. It’s constantly handy to discover a firm individuals truly trust for quick, professional solution. garage door repair near me

    40
  38. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at יועץ פיננסי מומלץ .

    41
  39. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  40. I’ve really been trying to find the best Garage door repair work and maintained seeing outstanding reviews about King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville. It’s constantly handy to discover a firm individuals truly trust for quick, professional solution.

    43
  41. I’ve really been looking for the most effective HVAC in Jacksonville and kept noticing outstanding evaluations about King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville. It’s constantly handy to discover a firm people really count on for quickly, expert solution HVAC company near me

    44
  42. I’ve really been looking for the most effective HVAC in Jacksonville and kept noticing outstanding evaluations about King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville. It’s constantly handy to discover a firm people really count on for quickly, expert solution

    45
  43. This is a solid guide. For solar providers in Concord, take a look at commercial solar companies .

    46
  44. This is a solid guide. For solar providers in Concord, take a look at ##anyKeyword##.

    47
  45. Great resource for finding the right installer. If you’re in Yuba City, check residential solar panels .

    48
  46. Great resource for finding the right installer. If you’re in Yuba City, check ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  47. Telehealth got rid of many barriers during the pandemic. We saw no drop in results with virtual IOP when presence stayed consistent. Any tips for keeping virtual groups engaging? addiction treatment

    50


Leave a Reply