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 job! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    1
  2. Many thanks for discussing these pipes pointers. I consistently encourage that individuals stay clear of putting off drainpipe or even water leak concerns because they may bring about much bigger harm 24 Hour Plumber Amarillo

    2
  3. Gracias por la información. Para emergencias de cerraduras, contacté a un cerrajero cerca de mi en cerrajeros .

    3
  4. Very helpful read. For similar content, visit google.com .

    4
  5. Appreciate the detailed post. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    8
  6. It’s not my first time to pay a quick visit this site, i am browsing this
    web page dailly and take nice information from here all the time.

    Feel free to visit my blog post: 강남테라피

    9
  7. This was quite informative. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    11
  8. Thanks for the practical tips. More at https://maps.app.goo.gl/MRnfC1jKwri8snQ46 .

    12
  9. Thanks for the practical tips. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    13
  10. 現代社会において、個人の愉しみや充実させる方法の一つとして、リアルドールが注目を集めています。
    見た目の美しさや、癒しの時間を得られる方が多く、単なる趣味を超えた存在となっています。
    知りたいと思っても、誤った情報や不安を感じる方も少なくありません。
    このコンテンツでは、客観的な事実に基づき、分かりやすい解説を提供しています。
    素材の品質についても詳しく触れ、不安を抱える方でも安心して理解できるように配慮しています。
    利用目的は人それぞれで、コレクションを楽しむ方など、幅広い使い方が存在します。
    自身のライフスタイルに合わせて楽しむことができ、心のリフレッシュにも役立ちます。
    適切な知識を持つことで、より安全に楽しむことができるようになります。
    正確でない噂を排除し、必要な知識だけをまとめています。
    多くの方に正しい理解を広め、豊かな生活を応援しています。
    この記事を通じて、不安を解消し新しい世界を楽しんでいただければ幸いです。

    14
  11. Helpful suggestions! For more, visit Restoration Solutions By Elite BBB .

    16
  12. Helpful suggestions! For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    17
  13. Nicely detailed. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  14. Valuable information! Discover more at Swanley local electrician .

    20
  15. Valuable information! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    21
  16. Thanks for the great information. More at Crayford emergency electrician .

    23
  17. Thanks for the great information. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    24
  18. Excelente artículo y consejos prácticos. Si buscas un cerrajero cerca de mi, consulta las opciones en cerrajero .

    25
  19. Thanks for the clear breakdown. More info at professional electrician in Snodland .

    26
  20. Excelente artículo y consejos prácticos. Si buscas un cerrajero cerca de mi, consulta las opciones en ##anyKeyword##.

    27
  21. I love the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great blog posts.

    28
  22. The strategies shared here on 구글SEO are fantastic! Can’t wait to apply them and track the results. For more ideas, check out 자연스러운 백링크 !

    30
  23. This was quite enlightening. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    31
  24. Thanks for the clear breakdown. More info at furniture removal Los Angeles .

    32
  25. The strategies shared here on 구글SEO are fantastic! Can’t wait to apply them and track the results. For more ideas, check out ##anyKeyword##!

    33
  26. Thanks for the clear breakdown. More info at ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  27. I appreciated this post. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    36
  28. Nicely done! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    39
  29. This was highly helpful. For more, visit clínica capilar cerca de mí .

    40
  30. This was highly helpful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    41
  31. Buenos consejos sobre seguridad en puertas; además contacté cerrajeros para cerrajeros baratos Barcelona.

    42
  32. Buenos consejos sobre seguridad en puertas; además contacté ##anyKeyword## para cerrajeros baratos Barcelona.

    43
  33. Excellent points regarding preventative pipes servicing. In Amarillo, challenging water as well as more mature water pipes may induce little issues to become expensive repairs if neglected Emergency Plumbing Amarillo TX

    44
  34. https://0hitclub.gr.com/ Nền Tảng Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Đa Dạng Và Hấp Dẫn

    45
  35. https://win79.br.com Khám Phá Không Gian Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Hiện Đại

    46
  36. Excellent points regarding preventative pipes servicing. In Amarillo, challenging water as well as more mature water pipes may induce little issues to become expensive repairs if neglected

    47
  37. Great tips! For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  38. Interesting 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 design. Appreciate it

    50


Leave a Reply