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 detailed post. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    1
  2. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit flooded basement cleanup near me .

    2
  3. The most excellent moving company near me undoubtedly goes to Jaguar Moving, the most effective moving companies in Jacksonville fl in St Augustine. moving companies jacksonville fl

    3
  4. I appreciated this article. For more, visit Absolute Restoration sewage cleanup .

    4
  5. Thanks for the great explanation. More info at ##anyKeyword##.

    7
  6. I have actually tried a number of neighborhood business, and McGee and Sons Services is hands-down the very best pressure washer in Nocatee pressure washing st augustine

    8
  7. I have actually tried a number of neighborhood business, and McGee and Sons Services is hands-down the very best pressure washer in Nocatee

    9
  8. Top tier service every single time with SI Service Group! They’re unquestionably the most effective air conditioning company near me in Tupelo.
    Had them out recently and the technologies were punctual, specialist, and had my system cooling down fast ac repair tupelo

    10
  9. Top tier service every single time with SI Service Group! They’re unquestionably the most effective air conditioning company near me in Tupelo.
    Had them out recently and the technologies were punctual, specialist, and had my system cooling down fast

    11
  10. Posture Therapy Aurora CO information would be more approachable with a clear explanation of the assessment process.
    A guide to Posture Therapy Aurora CO could describe what a first appointment includes Posture Therapy Aurora CO

    13
  11. Posture Therapy Aurora CO information would be more approachable with a clear explanation of the assessment process.
    A guide to Posture Therapy Aurora CO could describe what a first appointment includes

    14
  12. I appreciate the tone of this rehab center in Charlotte post. It feels supportive residential rehabilitation center

    15
  13. I appreciate the tone of this rehab center in Charlotte post. It feels supportive ##anyKeyword##

    16
  14. Top rated solution each time with SI Service Group! They’re certainly the very best Electricians near me in Tupelo. If you’re trying to find reputable pros that appear on time, connect plainly, and get it right the very first time, this is the group electrician near me

    17
  15. Top tier movers certainly goes to Jaguar Moving, the best movers in Jacksonville in Jacksonville. movers in jacksonville

    18
  16. Top rated solution each time with SI Service Group! They’re certainly the very best Electricians near me in Tupelo. If you’re trying to find reputable pros that appear on time, connect plainly, and get it right the very first time, this is the group

    19
  17. Top tier movers certainly goes to Jaguar Moving, the best movers in Jacksonville in Jacksonville.

    21
  18. The most top tier moving company in Jacksonville fl undoubtedly goes to Jaguar Moving, the very best moving company in Jacksonville. moving company

    22
  19. The most top tier moving company in Jacksonville fl undoubtedly goes to Jaguar Moving, the very best moving company in Jacksonville.

    23
  20. I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I definitely love reading all that is written on your website.Keep the stories coming. I loved it!

    24
  21. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit clínica capilar cerca opiniones .

    25
  22. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    26
  23. I have actually attempted several local business, and McGee and Sons Services is hands-down the best pressure washer in St. Augustine pressure washing st augustine

    27
  24. I have actually attempted several local business, and McGee and Sons Services is hands-down the best pressure washer in St. Augustine

    28
  25. This was a wonderful post. Check out flood restoration Indianapolis IN for more.

    29
  26. Thanks for the helpful advice. Discover more at maps.app.goo.gl .

    30
  27. daily_vijay5832 says:

    nbnabunny

    31
  28. Thanks for the helpful advice. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    33
  29. Quality solution whenever with SI Service Group! They’re definitely the most effective ac repair in Tupelo.
    Had them out last week and the techs were timely, expert, and had my system cooling fast ac repair tupelo

    34
  30. Appreciate the useful tips. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    35
  31. Blog house owners frequently take away conventional hyperlink-losing feedback, so pleasant topics greater than wide variety. We Rock The Spectrum – Clovis – Birthday Parties

    36
  32. Quality solution whenever with SI Service Group! They’re definitely the most effective ac repair in Tupelo.
    Had them out last week and the techs were timely, expert, and had my system cooling fast

    37
  33. Blog house owners frequently take away conventional hyperlink-losing feedback, so pleasant topics greater than wide variety.

    38
  34. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at Dumpster Rental Service Fort Collins .

    39
  35. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    40
  36. This was a wonderful post. Check out https://maps.app.goo.gl/g4Pej9yMeRoi7tfP7 for more.

    41
  37. This was a wonderful post. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    42
  38. Helpful content for anyone trying to find a rehab center in Tinton Falls. licensed rehab center Tinton Falls

    43
  39. Helpful content for anyone trying to find a rehab center in Tinton Falls. ##anyKeyword##

    44
  40. Thanks for sharing practical next steps for finding a rehab center Albuquerque. More details: alcohol rehab near me

    46
  41. Thanks for sharing practical next steps for finding a rehab center Albuquerque. More details: ##anyKeyword##

    47
  42. Excellent movers near me undoubtedly goes to Jaguar Moving, the very best movers near me in St Augustine. movers near me

    48
  43. Top rated solution every time with SI Service Group! They’re undoubtedly the very best electrical service in Tupelo electrician tupelo

    49
  44. Excellent movers near me undoubtedly goes to Jaguar Moving, the very best movers near me in St Augustine.

    50


Leave a Reply