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. Great insights on Google SEO! Understanding how the algorithm works is crucial for success. Check out PBN 링크 빌딩 for more tips!

    1
  2. Appreciate the thorough write-up. Find more at trafficpartnershub tools .

    3
  3. Well explained. Discover more at rent a car for weekend .

    4
  4. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit trusted local electrician orpington .

    6
  5. Great insights! Discover more at best rummy online .

    7
  6. Very informative article. For similar content, visit professional electrician Sidcup .

    8
  7. Very informative article. For similar content, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    9
  8. 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

    10
  9. 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

    11
  10. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit qualified electrician Paddock Wood .

    12
  11. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    13
  12. This was very insightful. Check out UonoPay mobile payments for more.

    14
  13. This was very insightful. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    15
  14. This was quite helpful. For more, visit cotización desguace Arzúa .

    16
  15. This was quite helpful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    17
  16. I found this very helpful. For additional info, visit alquiler de cabañas en Galicia .

    18
  17. I found this very helpful. For additional info, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  18. Very useful post. For similar content, visit mejor clínica capilar cerca de mí .

    20
  19. Very useful post. For similar content, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    21
  20. This was very enlightening. For more, visit rummy898 online .

    22
  21. Thanks for the detailed guidance. More at local electrician Gravesend quote .

    23
  22. This was very enlightening. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    24
  23. Thanks for the detailed guidance. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    25
  24. This was a great help. Check out commercial electricians in Chatham for more.

    26
  25. This was a great help. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    27
  26. Helpful suggestions! For more, visit slots VIP membership .

    29
  27. One good habit I picked up while doing texas driving safety course was double-checking my court paperwork against the course completion details before sending anything.

    30
  28. Helpful suggestions! For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    31
  29. One good habit I picked up while doing ##anyKeyword## was double-checking my court paperwork against the course completion details before sending anything.

    32
  30. This was a great article. Check out 24 hour Erith electrician for more.

    33
  31. This was a great article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    34
  32. Valuable information! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  33. https://fc88.education/ Khám phá không gian giải trí trực tuyến

    38
  34. Loved the insights here—FreightOptics particularly aligns with information-pushed logistics advancements. Check out my hyperlink: FreightOptics solutions FreightOptics

    39
  35. Loved the insights here—FreightOptics particularly aligns with information-pushed logistics advancements. Check out my hyperlink: ##anyKeyword##

    40
  36. I liked texas ticket dismissal because it turned a frustrating ticket into a chance to fix some bad habits I had developed while commuting every day.

    41
  37. I liked ##anyKeyword## because it turned a frustrating ticket into a chance to fix some bad habits I had developed while commuting every day.

    42
  38. Lhaneboype says:

    I think this post works very well because it explains the topic simply without overcomplicating anything while also maintaining a calm and engaging tone that makes the discussion more enjoyable overall. best online casinos nz

    43
  39. Great examine for logistics execs—FreightOptics supports superior tracking, planning, and execution. Here’s my website: FreightOptics team

    44
  40. Great examine for logistics execs—FreightOptics supports superior tracking, planning, and execution. Here’s my website: ##anyKeyword##

    45
  41. Howard Carson says:

    Appreciate the thorough insights. For more, visit We Are Home Buyers .

    47
  42. Nicely done! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  43. Wonderful tips! Find more at We Are Home Buyers .

    50


Leave a Reply