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. 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?

    1
  2. 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 cheese pizza

    2
  3. Great reminder to check financing terms carefully. Danville residents can explore plans with Danville solar panel providers .

    3
  4. Excellent info for anyone thinking about solar panels in Rocklin. I found solar providers and installers and will contact them.

    4
  5. I have actually been looking for a relied on Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and kept seeing terrific reviews regarding Pain Relief Centre. After my first see, I understood why– specialist treatment, tailored therapy, and genuine outcomes chiropractor near me

    6
  6. Thanks for the recommendations—choosing solar providers in Davis is easier with the right criteria. solar companies for homes

    7
  7. I’ve in fact been searching for the very best Air conditioning repair near me in Jacksonville and kept discovering outstanding reviews regarding King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville ac repair

    8
  8. 6. The advice about checking water pressure was especially helpful. High pressure can quietly cause damage over time if no one notices it. drain cleaning cleburne

    9
  9. 6. The advice about checking water pressure was especially helpful. High pressure can quietly cause damage over time if no one notices it.

    10
  10. Helpful suggestions! For more, visit מסעדה חלבית כשרה .

    11
  11. Helpful suggestions! For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  12. Great post! I’m glad you mentioned roof compatibility and site assessment for Auburn. trusted solar company Auburn

    13
  13. Great post! I’m glad you mentioned roof compatibility and site assessment for Auburn. ##anyKeyword##

    14
  14. Consistent service every single time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re undoubtedly the best lawn care in Gainesville Fl. lawn care gainesville

    15
  15. I found this extremely useful for choosing solar providers in Stockton. Here’s the link: solar energy company installers .

    16
  16. I found this extremely useful for choosing solar providers in Stockton. Here’s the link: ##anyKeyword##.

    18
  17. Consistent service every single time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re undoubtedly the best lawn care in Gainesville Fl.

    19
  18. We stumbled over here from a different page and thought I might check things out.
    I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking
    over your web page repeatedly.

    20
  19. Love this information—Chico residents really benefit from reliable solar providers. Learn more at solar energy company near me .

    21
  20. Love this information—Chico residents really benefit from reliable solar providers. Learn more at ##anyKeyword##.

    22
  21. I have actually been searching for the best Gutters repair company near me and kept discovering multiple exceptional reviews about A+ Gutters for World Golf Village gutters

    23
  22. Great article for understanding installation steps in Sacramento. best solar panel

    24
  23. Great article for understanding installation steps in Sacramento. ##anyKeyword##

    25
  24. Outstanding solution every time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re undoubtedly the best landscaping company in Gainesville. landscaping

    26
  25. Reputable service every time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re most certainly the best lawn care in St Augustine. Their technologies in fact detect dirt and turf concerns, not simply spray and pray, and their client service is quick and pleasant lawn care near me

    27
  26. Outstanding solution every time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re undoubtedly the best landscaping company in Gainesville.

    28
  27. What questions would you bring to a first appointment with a Pain Doctor?
    Finding a Pain Doctor can feel overwhelming. A clear explanation of the consultation process would help Pain Doctor

    29
  28. What questions would you bring to a first appointment with a Pain Doctor?
    Finding a Pain Doctor can feel overwhelming. A clear explanation of the consultation process would help

    30
  29. Throughout the grand design of things you actually get an A with regard to effort and hard work. Exactly where you actually misplaced us was in your specifics. You know, they say, the devil is in the details… And that couldn’t be more correct in this article. Having said that, let me tell you precisely what did give good results. The article (parts of it) is definitely very persuasive and that is probably why I am making the effort to comment. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Next, while I can easily see the leaps in reasoning you make, I am definitely not convinced of just how you seem to connect the ideas which help to make your conclusion. For now I will, no doubt subscribe to your position but trust in the foreseeable future you actually connect the facts much better.

    31
  30. Reputable service every time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re most certainly the best lawn care in St Augustine. Their technologies in fact detect dirt and turf concerns, not simply spray and pray, and their client service is quick and pleasant

    32
  31. Good advice on selecting the right inverter and monitoring setup for solar providers in Grass Valley. licensed solar providers

    33
  32. Good advice on selecting the right inverter and monitoring setup for solar providers in Grass Valley. ##anyKeyword##

    34
  33. I’ve actually been seeking the best Rain gutters company near me and kept seeing superb testimonials regarding A+ Rain gutters in Jacksonville gutters near me

    35
  34. I’ve actually been seeking the best Rain gutters company near me and kept seeing superb testimonials regarding A+ Rain gutters in Jacksonville

    36
  35. I found this very helpful. For additional info, visit איחוד הלוואות למשכנתא .

    37
  36. I found this very helpful. For additional info, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    38
  37. What’s up, this weekend is fastidious in favor of me,
    as this point in time i am reading this enormous informative article here at my residence.

    39
  38. Love the emphasis on performance and reliability. Learn more about solar options in Concord at energy company .

    40
  39. Love the emphasis on performance and reliability. Learn more about solar options in Concord at ##anyKeyword##.

    41
  40. I’ve actually been trying to find the best Garage door repair near me in Jacksonville and always kept finding outstanding testimonials regarding King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville garage door repair near me

    43
  41. I’ve actually been trying to find the best Garage door repair near me in Jacksonville and always kept finding outstanding testimonials regarding King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville

    44
  42. First-rate solution whenever with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re hands down the very best landscaping in St Augustine. landscaping st augustine

    45
  43. Thanks for the useful post. More like this at מסעדה איטלקית חלבית .

    46
  44. 9. Good reminders in this article. Sewer line and drainage issues are never convenient, so recognizing the first signs is important. water heater repair cleburne

    47
  45. I like how you addressed realistic expectations and timelines. For Danville solar providers, check commercial solar companies Danville .

    48
  46. Excellent read for anyone in Rocklin preparing for a solar consultation. Learn more via licensed solar companies .

    49
  47. First-rate solution whenever with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re hands down the very best landscaping in St Augustine.

    50


Leave a Reply