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. I’m a bit dental-phobic, but sedation alternatives I discovered on ##anyKeyword## created my Boulder appointment hassle-free.

    1
  2. Helpful content here. A lot of people are surprised to learn that gum disease can affect overall comfort and confidence, not just oral health. Gum Disease Treatment

    2
  3. This was a thoughtful and practical overview of Invisalign treatment. Invisalign

    3
  4. Thanks for the clear advice. More at ייעוץ משכנתאות .

    4
  5. APNA fencing and landscaping did a fabulous job as usual, used them tons over the years and they never disappoint. Fencing Maple Ridge

    5
  6. What’s up to every one, the contents present at this site are genuinely awesome
    for people experience, well, keep up the good work fellows.

    6
  7. Love the teacher-to-child ratios at this preschool near me. Cross-checking stats on preschool near me .

    7
  8. Love the teacher-to-child ratios at this preschool near me. Cross-checking stats on ##anyKeyword##.

    8
  9. Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Thanks a lot

    9
  10. I think having a yard deck is necessary for entertaining guests! It creates the ideal environment for barbecues and events fence install

    10
  11. I think having a yard deck is necessary for entertaining guests! It creates the ideal environment for barbecues and events

    11
  12. Did you already know that some flags have converted assorted instances for the time of a unmarried conflict? It shows the fluidity of political drive! reenactment flags

    12
  13. Financing option made a big difference when our AC needed full replacement. HVAC Contractor

    13
  14. Did you already know that some flags have converted assorted instances for the time of a unmarried conflict? It shows the fluidity of political drive! ##anyKeyword##

    14
  15. Financing option made a big difference when our AC needed full replacement.

    15
  16. It takes immense nerve attending to deep-rooted beliefs impeding progress towards accepting credibility throughout entire lives lived thereafter!!! #AnyKeyWord #. eating disorder treatment

    16
  17. It takes immense nerve attending to deep-rooted beliefs impeding progress towards accepting credibility throughout entire lives lived thereafter!!! #AnyKeyWord #.

    17
  18. Smaller senior care homes often support outdoor access more safely, like secure gardens. Nature time can be very calming for people with dementia. I learned to value this when reviewing content on memory care near me .

    18
  19. Smaller senior care homes often support outdoor access more safely, like secure gardens. Nature time can be very calming for people with dementia. I learned to value this when reviewing content on ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  20. If you’re searching for the “most exceptional Sushi near me” in St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a winner! sushi near me

    20
  21. If you’re searching for the “most exceptional Sushi near me” in St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a winner!

    21
  22. “Great reminder about the usage of gorgeous safety tools even as operating on DIY projects regarding heavy materials like these!” retaining walls builder

    22
  23. “Great reminder about the usage of gorgeous safety tools even as operating on DIY projects regarding heavy materials like these!” ##anyKeyword##

    23
  24. Thanks for the entire ebook—landscape illumination is actual transformative. I sophisticated my design with beam attitude calculators from landscape lighting near me and love the outcome.

    24
  25. I appreciated this article. For more, visit divorce mediation near me .

    25
  26. Raytown resident here, fair pricing and fast turnaround exactly as promised. Paintless Dent Repair

    26
  27. Your information on dimmable transformers is spot on. I optimized zones for seasonal variations employing a configuration guideline from outdoor lighting near me .

    27
  28. Raytown resident here, fair pricing and fast turnaround exactly as promised.

    28
  29. Thanks for the entire ebook—landscape illumination is actual transformative. I sophisticated my design with beam attitude calculators from ##anyKeyword## and love the outcome.

    29
  30. I appreciated this article. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    30
  31. Your information on dimmable transformers is spot on. I optimized zones for seasonal variations employing a configuration guideline from ##anyKeyword##.

    31
  32. Preparing visitor post ideas related to dual diagnosis treatment dual diagnosis

    32
  33. Preparing visitor post ideas related to dual diagnosis treatment

    33
  34. If you’re searching for the “most exceptional Chinese food near me” in St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a no brainer! chinese food near me

    34
  35. If you’re searching for the “most exceptional Chinese food near me” in St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a no brainer!

    35
  36. It would be interesting to cover how junk removal service handles renovation leftovers like drywall, wood, and fixtures.

    36
  37. It would be interesting to cover how ##anyKeyword## handles renovation leftovers like drywall, wood, and fixtures.

    37
  38. jumper routes across bridges so you dont have to

    38
  39. Servicio 24 horas para bloqueos y cambios de cerradura, cerrajero en barcelona

    39
  40. I believe having a yard deck is vital for entertaining visitors! It produces the perfect environment for barbecues and gatherings deck contractor

    40
  41. Servicio 24 horas para bloqueos y cambios de cerradura, ##anyKeyword##

    41
  42. Let’s not forget the value of nutrition in healing; healthy consuming practices contribute favorably during rehabilitation!” # # anyKeyWord # drug rehab

    42
  43. I believe having a yard deck is vital for entertaining visitors! It produces the perfect environment for barbecues and gatherings

    43
  44. Let’s not forget the value of nutrition in healing; healthy consuming practices contribute favorably during rehabilitation!” # # anyKeyWord #

    44
  45. Let’s keep stressing how crucial avoidance techniques are within schools focused on mentor kids healthy coping systems before they face prospective triggers later on down life paths # any Keyword ## addiction treatment

    45
  46. Martial arts not just enhance fitness but also instill technique and emphasis in experts. It’s remarkable to see just how different styles, from karate to jiu-jitsu, offer one-of-a-kind benefits kids taekwondo classes

    46
  47. Martial arts not just enhance fitness but also instill technique and emphasis in experts. It’s remarkable to see just how different styles, from karate to jiu-jitsu, offer one-of-a-kind benefits

    47
  48. Thanks for the detailed post. Find more at Cash for homes buyers .

    48
  49. Thanks for the detailed post. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  50. Usually I don’t learn post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so!
    Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank
    you, quite great article.

    50


Leave a Reply