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. https://789clubtt.com/ định hình nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến theo hướng linh hoạt, hỗ trợ người dùng truy cập thuận tiện

    1
  2. I appreciate that ##anyKeyword## encourages Maryland clients to focus on what they can control in divorce, rather than just fighting out of anger.

    2
  3. We should celebrate innovation fostering change while navigating complexities facing today’s society—we must support endeavors highlighted within -### AnyKeyWord#$%! stem cell therapy Irvine

    3
  4. https://b52clubapk.cx/ phát triển nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến theo hướng tối ưu tốc độ phản hồi và khả năng thao tác trên nhiều thiết bị

    4
  5. Appreciate the thorough write-up. Find more at https://maps.app.goo.gl/SXh5j8U7K43SC7Fe7 .

    5
  6. My daughter has been begging for a summer dance camp near the beach, and Del Mar is perfect. I’m seriously considering enrolling her through dance school Poway this year.

    7
  7. My daughter has been begging for a summer dance camp near the beach, and Del Mar is perfect. I’m seriously considering enrolling her through ##anyKeyword## this year.

    8
  8. For business owners going through a divorce in Maryland, the valuation and division issues are huge. Attorneys from business lawyer Reisterstown are familiar with these complexities.

    9
  9. For business owners going through a divorce in Maryland, the valuation and division issues are huge. Attorneys from ##anyKeyword## are familiar with these complexities.

    11
  10. Thanks for the clear advice. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  11. What a fantastic way to minimize risk during excavations—vacuum technology seems to be a perfect fit for our ongoing projects across Orange County! Discover more at vacuum excavation San Leandro !

    13
  12. What a fantastic way to minimize risk during excavations—vacuum technology seems to be a perfect fit for our ongoing projects across Orange County! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##!

    14
  13. That is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the
    blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Thank you for sharing this one.

    A must read post!

    15
  14. This was highly educational. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    18
  15. Such thorough research went into creating this piece—I can tell it’s backed by experience within industry settings!!! ###naKey### Landscape designer Newport Beach

    19
  16. Such thorough research went into creating this piece—I can tell it’s backed by experience within industry settings!!! ###naKey###

    20
  17. The future of business is in managed IT solutions—check out what managed it Signal Hill has to offer!

    21
  18. The future of business is in managed IT solutions—check out what ##anyKeyword## has to offer!

    22
  19. The flexibility of yacht charters makes them perfect for all types of corporate events in Newport Beach! Check out your options at boat rental Laguna Beach .

    23
  20. The flexibility of yacht charters makes them perfect for all types of corporate events in Newport Beach! Check out your options at ##anyKeyword##.

    24
  21. This is exactly what I needed to know about Tesla Solar Roof vs panels. I’ll let solar panel installer Anaheim evaluate which option works best for my home.

    25
  22. This is exactly what I needed to know about Tesla Solar Roof vs panels. I’ll let ##anyKeyword## evaluate which option works best for my home.

    26
  23. This was quite informative. More at weekly car rental prices .

    27
  24. This was quite informative. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    28
  25. This was highly useful. For more, visit miramar doctors office .

    29
  26. This was highly useful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    30
  27. Thanks for the great tips. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    32
  28. I appreciated this article. For more, visit maps.app.goo.gl .

    33
  29. Very useful post. For similar content, visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/8mnortrogJyzNUNp6 .

    34
  30. I appreciated this article. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    35
  31. Very useful post. For similar content, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    36
  32. I found this very interesting. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    38
  33. Kudos again everyone involved behind scenes bringing content life—it resonates deeply across multiple levels both professionally personally too ultimately speaking!!! ###naKey### landscape contractor Newport Coast

    39
  34. Kudos again everyone involved behind scenes bringing content life—it resonates deeply across multiple levels both professionally personally too ultimately speaking!!! ###naKey###

    40
  35. I appreciated this post. Check out https://www.agoloo.com/user/profile/170089 for more.

    41
  36. I appreciated this post. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    42
  37. I’m curious about the latest advancements in tissue engineering in Orange County; check out stem cell therapy Laguna Beach for updates!

    43
  38. I’m curious about the latest advancements in tissue engineering in Orange County; check out ##anyKeyword## for updates!

    44
  39. My teen wants to build technique this summer, and the advanced options at dance school Escondido in Del Mar look promising.

    45
  40. My teen wants to build technique this summer, and the advanced options at ##anyKeyword## in Del Mar look promising.

    46
  41. California companies need to stay ahead of tech trends. Managed IT services from managed service provider Huntington Beach can provide that edge!

    47
  42. I appreciate that Partnership Agreement Lawyer in Maryland reminds people not to sign anything in a Maryland divorce without having a lawyer review it first.

    48
  43. The explanation of how Maryland courts treat inherited property and gifts in divorce on estate planning attorney Garrison cleared up a lot of confusion for me.

    49
  44. I appreciate how you addressed both residential and commercial perspectives on utility locating—very comprehensive coverage here! Find out more at utility locating San Leandro !

    50


Leave a Reply